The Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) and the Climate and Energy Fund are launching the public consultation on the direction and prioritisation of geothermal research in Austria. The deadline for submitting discussion contributions and comments is 31 August 2021.
 
In order to meet politically binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Austria, all renewable energy technologies – and geothermal energy in particular – need to be taken into account and deployed as effectively as possible. Among renewable energies, geothermal energy has the largest gap between potential and current utilisation. This is a key reason why the importance of geothermal research in Austria is growing.
 
Federal Minister for Climate Protection Leonore Gewessler: "Research and development (R&D) are cornerstones for the further development of geothermal applications and their market acceptance. With the R&D Roadmap Geothermal, the BMK intends to identify and unlock previously untapped geothermal potential and contribute to the energy transition."
 
Climate and Energy Fund Managing Director Theresia Vogel: "In order to supply households, buildings and industry with heating and cooling whilst simultaneously achieving the goal of climate neutrality, geothermal energy will also play a significant role here in Austria. Research and innovation will help to reduce costs and, above all, bring more industry players into the development and use of geothermal energy."
 
The R&D Roadmap is a central component of an overarching overall strategy (heating, cooling, electricity), in which the research and innovation priorities in the field of geothermal technologies, including their effective integration into existing networks and infrastructures, are defined, thereby realising the vision of a climate-neutral and energy-efficient future. As part of the consultation, topics can be discussed and the focus areas and priorities of energy research can be refined. The feedback from the consultation will be taken into account for the further fine-tuning of the roadmap.

Until 31 August 2021, you can take part in the consultation and comment on and evaluate the presented potentials and priorities of geothermal research.
 
To the consultation: www.discuto.io/de/consultation/44755
 
For information:
https://nachhaltigwirtschaften.at/de/news/2021/20210324-dialogprozess-fe-roadmap.php
https://www.energy-innovation-austria.at/issue/eia-2021-02-de/