The main objective of Danube GeoHeCo project is to increase the penetration of shallow geothermal energy in the Danube Region through initiating a robust transnational cooperation of promotion and support actions. The purpose of proposed activities is to achieve ambitious EU energy and climate targets by 2030 and consequently 2050. The project will foster the integration of shallow geothermal solutions into existing fossil-fuel based domestic heating and cooling (HC) systems, raise awareness and enhance capacities. In accordance with the objective of the project, the main project activities are as following:
1. Design and optimization of shallow geothermal hybrid heating and cooling systems technology;
2. Community-led planning to harness the potential of shallow geothermal heating and cooling;
3. Digital platform and virtual market to foster shallow geothermal hybrid heating and cooling.
The project gathers 13 project partners from 8 different countries: Medjimurje Energy Agency Ltd. (Croatia), CROST Regional Development Nonprofit Ltd. (Hungary), University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering (Croatia), Research Burgenland Ltd. (Austria), Local Energy Agency Pomurje (Slovenia), Geological Survey of Slovenia (Slovenia),
InnoGeo Research and Service Ltd. (Hungary), Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information (Slovakia), Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Faculty of Engineering in Kragujevac (Serbia), Regional Economic Development Agency for Šumadija and Pomoravlje (Serbia), Regional Development Agency Bačka Ltd. Novi Sad (Serbia), LIR Evolution (Bosnia & Herzegovina). Also, a total of 15 organizations such as ministries, national funds, local and regional self-government units, universities, national associations of energy agencies and district heating companies, the City of Laktaši and Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund of the Republic of Srpska from B&H, that provide added value to the partnership are involved in the project in the role of associated strategic partners. They will provide feedback on the results of the project and help the project results reach relevant decision-makers in the field of shallow geothermal energy utilization to draw attention to the untapped potential of shallow geothermal energy and its importance in the sustainable development of the Danube region.
The project is funded by the EU Interreg Danube Region Programme. The total project budget is 2.481.000,00 EUR, and the project duration is 30 months.
