The GEOFLEXheat project will harness geothermal waste heat for industrial use.

The GEOFLEXheat project, funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe programme, aims to harness waste heat from geothermal brine for industrial applications. This project, coordinated by Brunel University in London, has a budget of 3 million euros and brings together a consortium of 12 research institutions, companies and experts from across the continent.

The main challenge of geothermal energy is its low temperature, which makes it inefficient for generating electricity. However, Professor Hussam Jouhara, project coordinator and thermal management expert, explains that if thermal energy is used directly in industrial processes, efficiency can approach 100 per cent. This approach will maximise the use of geothermal heat, offering a more efficient and sustainable alternative for industrial applications.

GEOFLEXheat focuses on developing an innovative system that combines a heat pipe heat exchanger, a scale reduction system, a high temperature heat pump and thermal energy storage. This system will harness waste heat from geothermal power plants, transforming corrosive salts and minerals into valuable resources and generating high temperatures of up to 110°C. These temperatures will be ideal for industrial and industrial applications. These temperatures will be ideal for industrial and urban applications, providing sustainable heating and hot water.

The consortium, which includes partners from Iceland, Italy, Germany, France and other countries, aims to demonstrate the potential of geothermal energy in various industrial applications and promote its social and political acceptance in Europe.