The European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme is funding the € 3M GEOFLEXheat project that will see a consortium of 12 research institutions, businesses and industry experts from across the continent tackle the challenges of geothermal systems’ scalability, integration and social acceptance.
GEOFLEXheat will develop a system that combines a heat pipe heat exchanger with an innovative scaling reduction system, a high-temperature heat pump and a thermal energy storage. When used together, these components will exploit the waste heat from a geothermal brine power plant; collect the otherwise corrosive salts and minerals into a valuable resource; and create a range of upgraded, cost-effective and consistent water temperatures, up to a 110°C steam, that will deliver what’s needed for industrial applications and for district hot water.
The project will also deliver a state-of-the-art control strategy and digital twin: a virtual model that’s updated from sensors studded throughout the system, enabling real-time management and optimisation of geothermal plants.