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Large-scale "Deep" Geothermal Energy

Large-scale "Deep" Geothermal Energy

Whilst Ireland does not have a ‘traditional’ geothermal setting (i.e., we are situated far from active volcanoes), geothermal energy can still be utilized and has a variety of applications, particularly for heating and cooling homes and businesses, district heating and the agri-food sector. Ireland’s geological history has produced several deep sedimentary basins that present the most obvious targets for exploration for large amounts of deep geothermal heat.

Geological Survey Ireland released a suite of deep temperature maps in 2021 which highlights the potential for deep geothermal energy in southeastern, southwestern, and northern regions of the island. Geological Survey Ireland held the first National Geothermal Energy Summit on 9 November 2022 at TU Dublin's Grangegorman campus. This event brought together experts from the worlds of policy, industry, and research to discuss the vision for the future of geothermal energy in Ireland.