The inaugural Joint Mobilization and Mutual Learning (MML) Workshop brought together over 100 participants from the European geothermal community for three hours of intensive knowledge sharing. Organized by GEOSYN as part of the Geo-Cluster initiative, the online event focused on “Sustainable Heating & Cooling Solutions for Industries and District Heating.”
Twelve expert speakers from 11 European projects presented innovations in geothermal energy, thermal energy storage, and advanced heat pump technologies. The workshop demonstrated how collaborative research can accelerate deployment of clean heat solutions across Europe in support of EU climate goals.
Projects represented included GEOSYN, GeoS-TECHIS, GEOFLEXheat, FlexGeo, TREASURE, HOCLOOP, USES4HEAT, INTERSTORES, URGENT, CoolLIFE, and RE-WITCH.
Geothermal Innovations
The morning session explored cutting-edge developments in geothermal technology for industrial applications. Lorenzo Talluri from the University of Florence opened with GEOSYN’s approach to simultaneous heating and cooling.
Watch Lorenzo Talluri’s presentation:
From Earth to Industry
The presentation illustrates the development of geothermal-driven technologies designed to deliver both high-temperature heat and cooling for industrial applications. The proposed system combines an R718 high-temperature heat pump—capable of supplying 50 kW of process heat at up to 200 °C through reciprocating steam compression—with a steam-ejector chiller delivering 20 kW of cooling at 12 °C. Using geothermal heat above 120 °C as the primary energy source, the GEOSYN framework demonstrates the technical feasibility and decarbonisation potential of leveraging medium-grade geothermal resources to meet simultaneous industrial heating and cooling demands.
Other sessions highlights included GeoS-TECHIS presenting their project overview, INTERSTORES showcasing dynamic models for large-scale seasonal thermal energy storage, RE-WITCH exploring heat-to-cold industrial solutions, HOCLOOP introducing closed loop deep geothermal solutions, and USES4HEAT discussing how seasonal storage can power the clean energy transition.
Methodologies, Prototypes, and Policy Outlook
The afternoon session focused on practical implementation and policy perspectives. Vaishak Somasundaram from the University of Southern Denmark presented GEOSYN’s work on high-temperature heat pumps for the rubber industry.
Watch Vaishak Somasundaram’s presentation:
Preliminary dynamic modelling of the GEOSYN high temperature heat pump and its application in rubber Industry
The presentation summarizes a study assessing the feasibility of deploying high-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) in the rubber products industry, where steam at 183 °C and 10.3 bar is required. The proposed system employs a water (R718) heat pump that uses geothermal energy above 120 °C as the evaporator heat source and incorporates a novel four-stage positive-displacement compressor. A dynamic simulation model developed within the framework of the ongoing GEOSYN project was used to evaluate both technical and economic performance, benchmarking the proposed HTHP system against the existing heavy fuel oil–fired boiler. The results provide a quantitative assessment of the potential for HTHPs to replace conventional boilers while enabling efficient utilization of medium-temperature geothermal energy.
Additional presentations came from GEOFLEXheat on market and policy outlook, URGENT on geothermal exploration for urban contexts, and GeoS-TECHIS on LCA methodology for decarbonization projects and their industrial prototype.
Both sessions generated numerous questions and discussions, with participants exchanging ideas on implementation challenges and identifying potential synergies across projects.
The Geo-Cluster Initiative
The workshop exemplifies the Geo-Cluster’s mission to foster knowledge sharing and cross-project collaboration. By bringing together diverse projects addressing industrial heating and cooling, the initiative creates a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates innovation and supports Europe’s clean energy transition.
Watch the complete workshop recording:
