Three projects in Ireland are to receive a share of €1m in funding for research targeting geothermal energy.
The projects were awarded funding under the 2019 Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) National Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Funding Programme, with strategic co-funding support from Geological Survey Ireland (GSI).
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies was awarded funding for the De-risking Ireland’s Geothermal energy potential project.
The initiative aims to reduce risk in harnessing Ireland´s geothermal energy potential using a multi-scale and multi-disciplinary approach.
It also aims to improve the estimation of deep geothermal resources in Ireland, building on existing datasets and geothermal modelling knowledge.
Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions has been awarded funding for a project called ThermoWell that will apply novel drilling and exploration techniques for deep geothermal resources
The project aims to demonstrate the economically advantageous use of deep standing column wells as a renewable heat resource.
Terra GeoServ received funding for a research project called ShallowTHERM, which will test a methodology to estimate the underground heat-exchange potential for shallow geothermal installations, in particular, vertical closed loop collectors.
SEAI head of research and technology Phil Hemmingway said: “The All of Government Climate Action Plan commits Ireland to significant targets and ambitions in the energy sector.
“Disruptive innovation will be a critical enabler for meeting these targets and for achieving Ireland’s decarbonisation goals.
“Ireland’s energy system will undergo a rapid, continual and significant evolution during the period to 2030 and beyond.
“Projects such as these are at the forefront of knowledge development.
“I would like to congratulate the teams behind the successful applications to the SEAI research funding programme, and look forward to seeing the outcomes of the projects, which will contribute to our cleaner energy future.”
GSI director Koen Verbruggen said: “Collaborating with SEAI has allowed us to substantially increase support and develop our capabilities in the geothermal energy sector in Ireland.
“We look forward to working with the researchers and implementing the scientific and technological outputs but also using these results to inform policy in this area.”