TWI Completes Setup of Advanced EHLA Technology for Geothermal
September 23, 2024
COMPASS Webinar: Superhot Geothermal Energy Production – Challenges and Opportunities
December 7, 2024
The COMPASS project was proudly represented at the EAGE Global Energy Transition 2024 conference in Rotterdam, where we contributed to important conversations around the future of geothermal energy—and the critical role of social engagement in its development.
The COMPASS team took part in the workshop “Appropriation of the Subsurface and its Usage”, with two key contributions.
Amel Barich delivered a talk highlighting how the social license to operate—first developed in the Crowdthermal project—is being further developed within COMPASS to address the evolving challenges of superhot geothermal systems. She also joined the panel discussion alongside experts from CNRS, Bellona Foundation, and Vattenfall BA Generation, bringing attention to the importance of co-creating energy futures in dialogue with communities.
Dario Bonciani presented the outcomes of a comparative study exploring how communication, participation, and benefit-sharing have influenced public acceptance of deep geothermal projects across various European and non-European case studies. His talk sparked meaningful discussion, underscoring a key finding of COMPASS: without early engagement, trust-building, and transparent communication, geothermal projects risk delays or rejection.
Dario emphasized, “It’s important that citizens feel these plants are part of their territory—something they can identify with, not something imposed.”
Amel also took part in the New Horizons session, where she presented the Krafla Magma Testbed as one of several bold initiatives aiming to unlock new frontiers in geothermal energy. The panel discussions throughout the week showcased how innovation in geothermal is not only technological, but also social, cultural, and systemic—core values at the heart of COMPASS.
We thank the organizers of EAGE GET 2024 for creating space for these vital exchanges, and all those who attended our sessions. Our work continues, and we’re excited to keep pushing forward the conversation on how to make geothermal energy more inclusive, accepted, and community-rooted.
