FlexGeo | icgc

FlexGeo

Paving the way for flexible geothermal energy systems with reversible ORC systems, advanced control, and novel system designs

The FlexGeo project ("Pathing the Way for Flexible Geothermal Energy Systems with Reversible ORC Systems, Advanced Control and Novel System Designs"), has been one of the 3 proposals selected within the call CL5-2023-D03-02-06 "Smart use of geothermal electricity and heating and cooling in the energy system". It seeks to establish geothermal energy as a pillar of 100% renewable energy systems thanks to its particular characteristics, which allow integrating electrical, thermal and storage generation.

The main objective of FlexGeo will be to demonstrate the technical-economic feasibility of systems based on high temperature geothermal heat pumps and ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) reversible in real scenarios, underground thermal energy storage technologies, and efficient networks based on surface geothermal, which allow to comprehensively cover the direct production of heat and electricity, as well as the management of electricity surpluses from other renewable sources. At the same time, intelligent operation, storage and control strategies will be established to ensure maximum efficiency and flexibility.

Schematic of the front-end of a dynamic 5GDHC network model (left). Initial drilling work in Vielha (right).

Schematic of the front-end of a dynamic 5GDHC network model (left). Initial drilling work in Vielha (right).

 

 

Location of the partners involved.

Location of the partners involved..

The consortium has a total of 11 European partners from 6 different countries, with diverse profiles such as engineering, geology, modelling and technical-economic consultancy, both public and private. The project will be led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and has a total budget of 5.662.113,75 €.

The role of the ICGC will be mainly focused on the construction of 5th generation dynamic models of heating and cooling networks based on surface geothermal, hybridized with other renewable sources (mainly solar photovoltaic). This task will be carried out in collaboration with TUM and ETH Zurich, and with the support of the consultancy E-THINK (Austria) and the CGA. He will also participate in other tasks related to the design and modeling of innovative advanced geothermal systems and the storage of heat in the subsoil.

The ICGC takes as starting points to participate in this project, the current agreements with the CGA  (urban heating and cooling network project "Vielha Smart Multi-RES micro DHC grid", currently in the geological exploration phase), and the UPC (Industrial doctorate project "MA-DHC Project - Development of tools for the modelling and evaluation of efficient urban heating and cooling networks based on geothermal energy and supported by other renewable sources").

 

Project structure

The project is organized in the following 8 work packages:

  • WP1. Management.
  • WP2. Technology development and detailed engineering.
  • WP3. Advanced, intelligent, and flexible control of geothermal systems.
  • WP4. Modelling of future flexible geothermal energy systems.
  • WP5. Technology demonstration.
  • WP6. Optimized system design and impact assessment.
  • WP7. Introduction to market routes.
  • WP8. Communication measures to integrate the Market Absorption Centre into the European panorama.
General structure of modelling and evaluation activities (WP2, WP4 and WP6).

General structure of modelling and evaluation activities (WP2, WP4 and WP6).

 

FLEXGEO at a glance

  • Title: “Pathing the Way for Flexible Geothermal Energy Systems with Reversible ORC Systems, Advanced Control and Novel System Designs. FLEXGEO” 
  • Total budget: 5.662.113,75 €.
  • Fund: 4.997.041,25 €  (88%).
  • ICGC budget: 340.110 €.
  • ICGC funding: 340.110 € (100%).
  • Start date: June 2024.
  • Expected end date: July 2028.
  • Consortium: 10 European partners (Germany, Austria, Greece, Belgium, Spain, and Italy).
  • Coordination: Technical University of Munich (Germany).
  • Web: https://www.epe.ed.tum.de/en/es/research/projects/flexgeo/.
  • Program: Finançat pel programa Horizon Europe.
  • Reference: 101147576.

 

Expected results

FlexGeo solutions will bring unique potential to provide flexibility beyond state-of-the-art and any other potential avenues of innovation. The combination of developed solutions with a detailed exploitation and dissemination strategy will pave the way for the absorption and diffusion of the developed technologies and products to the market.

The results of the project will significantly increase the use of surface and deep geothermal energy and, therefore, contribute to achieving the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. 

 

Funded by

Funded by the European Union

This project has been funded by the EU HORIZON EUROPE  programme,  call HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-02 (Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply).