Strategies & Guidelines

The SAPHEA project is driven by a clear mission: to transform geothermal energy from a fragmented, underused resource into a core component of Europe’s clean heating and cooling transition. To make this vision a reality, SAPHEA doesn’t stop at data and technical tools. It provides a robust set of strategies and guidelines that empower regional authorities, energy planners, and utilities to chart their own paths toward geothermal deployment.

At the heart of this effort is a carefully developed set of development scenarios, each tailored to reflect different combinations of geological potential, urban structure, existing infrastructure, and socio-economic conditions across Europe. These scenarios act as practical entry points, guiding stakeholders in identifying which geothermal solutions—whether shallow or deep systems, with or without subsurface storage—are technically and economically viable in their regions.

This foundation is complemented by key project deliverables, now available for download. The Status Report on Key Market Drivers (D2.1) lays out the critical market conditions and influencing factors shaping the uptake of geoDHC networks across Europe. For spatial planning, the Catalogue of Spatial Datasets (D2.3) offers a curated set of geographic and geoscientific data to support site-specific assessments and decision-making.

To help move from strategy to practice, SAPHEA develops targeted guidance on financing and business models. The Blueprints for Business Models (D4.3) showcase successful cases from across Europe—ranging from public-private partnerships and municipal utilities to cooperative models—and offer clear direction on how to de-risk investments, unlock EU or regional funding, and align project design with financial realities.

Crucially, SAPHEA also addresses the policy and governance dimension. The Science-to-Policy Report (D5.3) identifies key regulatory hurdles and proposes practical measures to streamline permitting, enhance agency coordination, and embed geothermal into broader urban development and climate strategies. These recommendations are crafted not just for national decision-makers, but also for local authorities engaged in spatial and energy planning.

To bridge planning with action, the Roadmaps to Integrate geoHC Networks in Europe (D6.4) provide stakeholders with step-by-step guidance tailored to varying regional contexts—turning abstract goals into clear implementation pathways.

Together, these strategies and guidelines form a cohesive, flexible framework—designed not to prescribe one-size-fits-all solutions, but to support local actors in moving confidently from potential to implementation. Rather than presenting a static toolkit, SAPHEA offers a dynamic roadmap that evolves with Europe’s diverse energy landscapes—laying the groundwork for a truly scalable geothermal future.