We all use energy every single day, from the electricity being used to power your computer, to the energy used to heat the water for your shower, to the fuel that is used to run your car, bus or train. We are all energy consumers.

Almost all these energy sources originate here on earth. Geoenergy is the term used to describe the types of energy derived from the Earth itself, and encompasses energy technologies that interact with the subsurface, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS). Types of Geoenergy include fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal), and geothermal energy. Fossil fuels are a type of non-renewable Geoenergy, whereas geothermal energy is a type of renewable Geoenergy.

In Ireland, we rely heavily on coal, oil and natural gas, i.e. fossil fuels, to run our homes and to run power stations that supply us with electricity. Fracking is a method of fossil fuel extraction, but is not used in Ireland as it is banned. As fossil fuels are a finite source of energy and contribute to global warming, to become more energy secure and to meet Government goals, we must use more sustainable and renewable sources of energy. Some of the ways Ireland is doing this is by exploring wind energy and geothermal energy options.

Geological Survey Ireland directly relates to such government policies (such as the 2019 and 2021 Climate Action Plans) with their work, by producing maps, reports and user guides for shallow geothermal energy and carbon capture and storage, and mapping the seafloor for the safe siting of offshore wind farms.