POLICY BRIEFS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Geothermal Heat for Industrial Decarbonisation in Europe: Policy Evidence from the GEOFLEXHEAT Project

How can Europe accelerate the deployment of geothermal heat for the decarbonisation of industrial heat?

This GEOFLEXHEAT Policy Brief examines the potential of geothermal energy as a reliable, low-carbon source of industrial heat, and how its integration with high-temperature heat pumps, thermal storage and digital optimisationcan make renewable heat more flexible and suitable for demanding industrial processes. Drawing on European policy and research evidence, market and investment trends, and real-world insights from the GEOFLEXHEAT demonstration environments in Italy and Iceland, the Brief examines the technical, geological, regulatory and financial barriers limiting wider deployment. It identifies key policy priorities to reduce investment risk, strengthen national planning, streamline permitting and accelerate the uptake of geothermal heat solutions across European industry.