Geothermal energy is an effective way to achieve climate targets

Jere Oksanen
Consulting Manager
Rototec Finland
Finland

Energy for heating and cooling buildings accounts for a significant share of energy demand and is one of the largest sources of emissions across Europe.

In Finland, for example, the heating of buildings consumes a quarter of all energy use and accounts for almost a fifth of all emissions. In Germany, the share of heating energy is even higher, around 30% of all energy, with almost a fifth of the country’s emissions arising from the heating of buildings, mostly with natural gas.

In most countries, the vast majority of heating energy is still produced by combustion. In Finland, combustion-based energy production accounts for at least 70% of heating in buildings. Only about 16% of heating energy is produced by heat pump energy, including geothermal energy. In the future, the number of heat pumps is expected to grow rapidly, up to five million units per year in Europe.

I believe that the transition away from fossil fuels – and eventually from other forms of combustion-based energy production – is bound to happen. But if Europe wants to be carbon neutral by 2050, we need a much faster pace than today.

That is why all eyes are now turning to geoenergy, or geothermal heating and cooling.

In its primary form, geoenergy is emission-free, self-sufficient and affordable. Production is steady and the energy will not run out. In addition to heating, building-specific systems can be used to cool and recycle energy, improving energy efficiency. Systems such as BTES and ATES, in which energy is stored in bedrock or groundwater bodies, can be used to address the power demand problem caused by annual cyclical variation.

Replacing old building heating systems with zero-emission geothermal energy makes sense now more than ever, as it is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions from this sector. Although large-scale renovation poses its own challenges, the EU Commission estimates that investments in clean energy will pay for themselves in reduced energy costs. At the same time, the green transition will boost the construction sector and create new jobs, especially for SMEs.

It can be said that the potential of geothermal energy to meet the EU’s climate targets is significant.

EU countries have increasingly started to support the green transition, including the switch to geothermal energy. Germany, for example, plans to invest around €3 billion in the coming years to promote carbon neutrality in district heating networks. The aim is to strengthen the role of geoenergy and heat pump solutions in particular.

For property owners, the green transition is first and foremost an opportunity to reduce risks and introduce self-sufficient clean energy heating systems in all kinds of buildings, large and small. Russia’s war of aggression has shown in very concrete terms why energy independence is essential for us. Among other things, it provides us with protection against market price volatility.

We should bear in mind that it is not enough to switch to zero emission energy. To ensure the rapid uptake and sufficiency of renewables for as many people as possible, we must also reduce energy consumption. Suitable energy efficiency measures can be used to significantly reduce the energy consumption in buildings, saving not only energy but also money.

The Nordic countries have long been among the world leaders in improving the energy efficiency of buildings. In continental Europe, where the climate is milder and energy has been cheaper, there has been less interest in efficiency measures. The need for change has become more urgent with climate targets and the pursuit of energy independence. At EU level, improving the energy efficiency of buildings has long been a key objective and means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, increased building insulation and forced ventilation with heat recovery are concrete ways not only to improve the indoor climate of a building, but also to ensure that energy is not wasted.

At the same time, the energy consumption of each property and the appropriate solutions should be considered not only on a property-by-property basis, but also as a whole. The more extensively a property is upgraded, for example by combining geothermal heating with solar energy, waste heat recovery or other energy recycling measures, the more energy-optimised and self-sufficient the property becomes.

Geothermal energy is an opportunity to be seized at any time, but especially now.

Expert article 3340

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