A review of the legal framework in shallow geothermal energy in selected European countries: Need for guidelines

Konstantinos P. Tsagarakis, Loukia Efthymiou, Apostolos Michopoulos, Amaryllis Mavragani, Aleksandar S. Anđelković, Francesco Antolini, Mario Bacic, Diana Bajare, Matteo Baralis, Witold Bogusz, Sébastien Burlon, João Figueira, M. Serdar Genç, Saqib Javed, Andrius Jurelionis, Kemal Koca, Grzegorz Ryżyński, Javier F. Urchueguia, Bojan Žlender

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Over the past years, the installations of Shallow Geothermal Energy (SGE) systems are increasing throughout Europe, and it is indicating that a specific and detailed legal framework is necessary. Towards this direction, this paper consists of an overview of legislation issues on SGE at European level, based on concise reviews from fourteen countries, i.e., Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. Said reviews discuss key national legislation as well as experts’ experience in the procedure of SGE integration. Legal and technical issues are also critically discussed for all involved countries, both individually and collectively. Findings show that high diversity exists on legislation provisions as well as on regulations, standards, and institutional support amongst European countries. The latter acts as an effective barrier for the further development of the SGE market; therefore indicating the need for a common approach. Increase of awareness, need for standardization, improvement of legal framework, and administration procedures and permitting, are essential steps in moving forward and supporting the effectiveness of design, construction, maintenance, and operation of SGE systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2556-2571
Number of pages16
JournalRenewable Energy
Volume147
Issue numberPart 2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 Mar

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Law (excluding Law and Society)
  • Building Technologies

Free keywords

  • Ground source heat pump
  • Legislation
  • Permitting
  • Regulations
  • Shallow geothermal energy systems

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