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Heat Pumps: Key to Unlocking Geothermal Energy's Potential

Heat pumps are at the forefront of geothermal energy’s expanding role in addressing global heating and cooling demands, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) special report, The Future of Geothermal Energy. This report highlights the transformative impact of heat pump technologies in leveraging geothermal energy for residential, commercial, and industrial applications as a sustainable heating and cooling solution.

The report, published on December 13, emphasizes that geothermal heat pumps (GHPs), also known as ground-source heat pumps, are critical in exploiting low- and medium-temperature geothermal resources. These systems extract heat from shallow depths (less than 100 meters) and can provide consistent heating and cooling regardless of climatic conditions. As of 2023, GHPs accounted for over half of all geothermal heat consumed globally, with countries like China, the United States, Sweden, and Germany leading the adoption due to supportive policies and public programs (The Future of Geothermal Energy, p. 20). (See Figure 1)

Figure 1: Direct and indirect geothermal energy consumed for heating and cooling by application

According to the report, GHPs are a highly efficient technology capable of decarbonizing heating and cooling in both buildings and industries. These systems can be integrated into district heating networks, as seen in Iceland, where geothermal energy fuels over 90% of the district heating infrastructure (The Future of Geothermal Energy, p. 20). However, the report notes that widespread adoption is hindered by high initial costs and installation complexities.

A Promising Path for Industrial Applications

While the residential and commercial sectors dominate geothermal heat consumption, the IEA report identifies significant opportunities in industrial applications. Low- to medium-temperature heat from geothermal resources is particularly suited for industries such as food processing, textiles, and chemical production. However, adoption in these sectors remains limited due to higher upfront investment costs and competition from other renewable energy options (The Future of Geothermal Energy, p. 21).

Policy and Market Support

The report underscores the need for stronger policy frameworks to accelerate geothermal heat pump deployment. “Only a few countries currently include geothermal as a viable heating and cooling option in their government ambitions,” the report states. In Europe, however, energy security concerns have driven an increase in policy support, with several EU member states including geothermal solutions in their National Energy and Climate Plans (The Future of Geothermal Energy, p. 21).

Utility-financed geothermal networks are also highlighted as a potential solution to overcome high installation costs. By spreading the costs across broader energy infrastructures, these networks can enable mass-market adoption of geothermal heat pumps.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, the IEA report projects a significant increase in geothermal energy use for heating and cooling, with adoption potentially doubling by 2030. This growth, however, is contingent on streamlined permitting processes, expanded policy incentives, and technological advancements. The report suggests that targeted investments in research and workforce development will be critical in scaling the deployment of geothermal heat pumps globally (The Future of Geothermal Energy, pp. 32-34).

As nations strive to meet their renewable energy targets, geothermal heat pumps stand out as a promising technology to address growing heating and cooling demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the report, with adequate support, heat pumps can unlock the vast untapped potential of geothermal energy, driving a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Activities within the HPT TCP related to geothermal energy

There have been several international collaboration projects within HPT TCP focusing on geothermal heat pumps; the latest one was HPT Annex 52 Long term performance measurement of GSHP Systems serving commercial, institutional, and multi-family buildings. Moreover, geothermal heat pumps are within the scope of several of the ongoing projects within the HPT TCP.

Source: https://www.iea.org/news/technology-breakthroughs-are-unlocking-geothermal-energys-vast-potential-in-countries-across-the-globe