Skip to main content

Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2026: Nominations Now Open

Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2026 Is Now Open , Submit Your Nomination Today!

The geothermal sector has never been more vibrant, more competitive, or more innovative and at the center of this momentum stands one of the most respected honours in the industry: The Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award.
The 2026 edition is officially open, inviting innovators, companies, research teams, and technology developers to showcase groundbreaking contributions that are shaping the next frontier of geothermal energy. If you or your organisation have been pushing boundaries, developing solutions that boost performance, reduce emissions, or introduce new possibilities in the geothermal value chain this is your moment.
🌋 Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Innovation
Named after Ruggero Bertani, a globally respected geothermal visionary, the award recognises:

Originality & innovation

Reliability & technological robustness
Reduction of emission
Improvements in geothermal energy output
Scientific advancement & high-impact projects
Each nomination undergoes a rigorous evaluation, and winning the award is more than recognition , it is a signal to the entire geothermal world that your innovation is moving the industry forward.
Endorsed nominees and the final winner receive international visibility and acknowledgement across Europe’s rapidly growing geothermal landscape.
Submit Your Nomination Today
If you believe your project or technology deserves the spotlight, now is the perfect time to apply.
Application links:
📄 Application Form – Word File
📥 Application Form – Interactive PDF
📘 Terms & Conditions
For questions or further clarifications, reach out to the EGEC Secretariat:
📧 egia@egec.org](mailto:egia@egec.org
The 2026 Award Winner will be announced at the GeoTHERM Expo & Congress in Offenburg, Germany, on 26–27 February 2026.
A Look Back: Previous Winners and Their Innovations
From cutting-edge lithium extraction technologies to advanced drilling solutions and next-generation geothermal systems, past winners reveal the remarkable diversity and strength of geothermal innovation in Europe.
2025 – EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg

🏅 CASCADE Project

A pioneering approach to lithium extraction from geothermal brines, setting new standards for sustainable mineral production.
2024 – Vulcan Energie Ressourcen GmbH
🏆 LEOP – Lithium Extraction Optimization Plant
A transformative solution accelerating Europe’s push for sustainable, geothermal-sourced lithium.

2023 – Huisman Geo

🔧 Composite Downhole Tubulars (HCT)
The first ever full composite downhole tubular system , corrosion-resistant, strong, light, and designed for demanding geothermal and CO₂ storage environments.

2022 – Baker Hughes

⚙️ Corrosion-Resistant Podded ESP & Completion System
A breakthrough completion design allowing geothermal production to continue without risking casing corrosion.

2021 – ENGIE Solutions

🔥 Multidrains Borehole Architecture
A system capable of almost doubling geothermal reservoir productivity**, now supporting district heating for thousands of homes.

2020 – Carbfix (Iceland) & Eavor (Germany)

🌍 Joint Winners
Carbfix for pioneering carbon mineralisation, and Eavor for its closed-loop Eavor-Loop geothermal system.

2019 – Jansen HIPRESS Borehole Heat Exchanger

Revolutionising geothermal heat pump efficiency at depths beyond 300 metres.

2018 – GDF Latin America

A risk mitigation initiative supporting surface studies and appraisal drilling in Latin America.

2017 – enOware
Miniaturised geothermal sensors enabling precise planning and monitoring of shallow geothermal probes.

2016 – Exergy

The world’s first two-pressure-level cycle on a single-disk turbine, demonstrated in Turkey.

2015 – MijnWater
An innovative mine-water distribution infrastructure for sustainable heating in the Netherlands.

2014 – BESTEC

Awarded for advancing commercial Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) projects.

Stay updated on geothermal news, policy developments, and innovation opportunities.

Source: EGEC

Connect with us:LinkedIn, X


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Amsterdam Strikes Geothermal Gold: Hot, Thick, Permeable Reservoir Confirmed

Breakthrough Beneath the Beach: Amsterdam Region Hits Geothermal Paydirt at Strandeiland By: Robert Buluma The Netherlands just took a giant leap toward fossil-free heating. On the artificial island of Strandeiland (part of Amsterdam’s fast-growing IJburg district), the SCAN exploration well has officially confirmed what the geothermal community has been hoping for: a thick, hot, and , most importantly permeable reservoir in the Slochteren Formation. Key numbers that matter:   Reservoir thickness: 152 meters   Bottom-hole temperature: 66 °C   Permeability: confirmed via successful production and injection tests   That’s not screaming-hot by Icelandic standards, but for direct-use district heating in one of Europe’s densest urban areas, 66 °C is more than enough to supply thousands of homes with clean, baseload heat – forever. Why This Well Changes Everything for the Netherlands The Dutch government launched the SCAN program (Seismic Campaign Nethe...

American Critical Resources and Plum Acquisition Corp. IV Sign LOI for SPAC Merger to Advance U.S. Geothermal Lithium Project

Revolutionizing Energy: The Synergy of Geothermal Power and Lithium Extraction at Hell's Kitchen Posted by  Robert Buluma  on December 20, 2025 In an era where the world is racing toward sustainable energy solutions, the intersection of geothermal power and lithium production is emerging as a game-changer. As electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and advanced technologies demand ever-increasing supplies of critical minerals, innovative projects are stepping up to meet the challenge. One such groundbreaking initiative is the Hell's Kitchen project by American Critical Resources (ACR), a subsidiary of Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc. (CTR) . This California-based endeavor not only harnesses the Earth's natural heat for clean electricity but also extracts lithium a vital component in batteries ,directly from geothermal brines. With a recent announcement of a proposed business combination with Plum Acquisition Corp. IV (Nasdaq: PLMK), a special purpose ac...

Kiskunhalas Geothermal Project: Drilling Hungary’s Clean Energy Future

An Eight-Billion-Forint Geothermal Bet: Drilling the Future Beneath Kiskunhalas By Robert Buluma | Alphaxioms Insights |  Beneath the vast plains of Hungary’s Great Alföld, immense heat has been quietly stored for millions of years. Now, that hidden energy is poised to reshape the country’s energy future. The region around Kiskunhalas is set to become a focal point of Hungary’s geothermal ambitions, following the signing of a HUF 7.86 billion (approximately EUR 20 million) contract for geothermal drilling and well-testing works. The agreement was signed by a subsidiary of MVM Group , Hungary’s state-owned energy company, and covers geothermal exploration activities to be carried out over the next three years across several areas of the Great Plain. This marks one of the most significant state-backed geothermal initiatives in Hungary in recent years. Unlocking Earth’s Heat to Cut Energy Dependence The project’s strategic objective is clear: to pave the way for geothermal power pla...

A Quiet Revolution Underground: Prenzlau’s Geothermal Leap Toward a Fully Renewable Heat Future

Prenzlau’s Geothermal Breakthrough: A Decisive Step Toward a Fully Renewable Heat Future By: Robert Buluma The city of Prenzlau, located in northeastern Germany, has reached a major milestone in its transition toward sustainable energy. In December 2025, Stadtwerke Prenzlau announced a decisive breakthrough in its geothermal project after successfully encountering geothermal water at a depth of 983 meters. This discovery represents a critical step forward for the city’s ambition to fully decarbonize its heat supply and positions Prenzlau as a leading example of how medium-sized towns can harness geothermal energy for district heating. The geothermal water discovered during drilling operations is estimated to be around 200 million years old and is contained within a saline sandstone formation deep underground. With a temperature of approximately 44°C and a planned production rate of 130 cubic meters per hour, the resource offers a reliable and continuous source of renewable heat. A test...

Strataphy and Baker Hughes Partner to Accelerate Geothermal Cooling in Saudi Arabia

Strataphy and Baker Hughes Forge Strategic Alliance to Accelerate Geothermal Cooling and Saudi Arabia’s Energy Transition By: Robert Buluma Saudi Arabia’s journey toward a low-carbon, diversified energy future has taken a decisive step forward with the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Strataphy and global energy technology leader Baker Hughes. Announced in Khobar in December 2025, the partnership signals a powerful convergence of deep-tech innovation and industrial-scale execution,aimed squarely at accelerating geothermal cooling and advancing the Kingdom’s broader energy transition agenda. At a time when cooling demand is surging across the Middle East,driven by rapid urbanization, giga-projects, data centers, and industrial expansion,this collaboration positions geothermal energy not merely as an alternative, but as a cornerstone technology for sustainable infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. A Landmark Agreement with Strategic Implications Under the MoU,...

Zanskar’s Big Blind: First Blind Geothermal Discovery in 30 Years

Big Blind: The Geothermal Discovery That Changes Everything By: Robert Buluma Utah startup  Zanskar Geothermal quietly dropped one of the most important announcements in American energy in decades. They discovered and confirmed “Big Blind” ,the first completely blind, commercial-grade geothermal system found in the United States in over thirty years. Let that sink in. No hot springs.   No fumaroles.   No steaming ground.   No prior wells.   Zero surface expression whatsoever. Just desert, sagebrush, and – 7,000 feet below,  a reservoir hot enough and permeable enough to support gigawatt-scale power production. This isn’t incremental progress. This is a paradigm breaker. Why “Blind” Discoveries Matter So Much For the last 40 years, geothermal development in the U.S. has been geographically handcuffed. You could only build plants where nature advertised the resource on the surface – think Yellowstone, The Geysers, or Imperial Valley. Ever...

Germany Unveils Groundbreaking KfW–Munich Re Program to De-Risk Deep Geothermal Heat Projects

Germany Launches Landmark Financing Program to Accelerate Deep Geothermal Heat Projects By: Robert Buluma Germany has taken a decisive step toward securing a climate-neutral heat future. On December 18, 2025, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK), KfW Development Bank , and global reinsurer Munich Re officially launched a groundbreaking funding program designed to unlock large-scale investments in deep geothermal energy for municipal and industrial heat supply. The new initiative, known as the KfW Geothermal Promotional Loan (KfW-Förderkredit Geothermie), directly addresses one of the most persistent bottlenecks in geothermal development: the high financial risk associated with drilling deep geothermal wells. By combining low-interest loans with comprehensive risk coverage, the program is set to significantly accelerate geothermal deployment across Germany. Why Deep Geothermal Matters for Germany’s Heat Transition While Germany has made remarkable progre...

Innargi Granted Permit for Geothermal Exploration and Production in Virum, Denmark

Geothermal Energy Permits in Denmark: Mapping the Country’s Quiet Heat Revolution (December 2025) By: Robert Buluma Denmark is globally admired for its wind power leadership, ambitious climate policies, and strong district heating systems. Yet beneath its flat landscapes lies another energy resource that is steadily gaining strategic importance: geothermal energy. As of December 2025, Denmark’s geothermal sector is entering a new phase marked by fresh permit applications, and even approval  expanding geographic interest, and stronger alignment with the country’s long-term decarbonization goals. An overview of current geothermal permits and applications reveals not only where development is happening, but also how geothermal energy is quietly positioning itself as a cornerstone of Denmark’s renewable heat future. Geothermal Energy and Denmark’s Heat Transition More than 60 percent of Danish households are connected to district heating networks, making heat decarbonization a national...

Hawaii’s Underground Secret to Cheaper, Greener Cooling Revealed

Unlocking Hawaii’s Hidden Cooling Power: New Report Reveals Huge Potential for Geothermal Cooling on Oahu (2025) By:  Robert Buluma Could the same volcanic islands that give Hawaii its famous heat also provide the solution to cool its buildings , without crushing the electric grid?   A groundbreaking new report released December 8, 2025, by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) says the answer is a resounding yes. Shallow geothermal heat exchangers (GHEs) , also known as geothermal heat pumps or ground-source heat pumps ,could dramatically cut cooling costs and electricity demand across Oahu, especially for large buildings like schools, military bases, and university facilities. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting development in Hawaii geothermal cooling technology. Why Hawaii Is Perfectly Suited for Geothermal Cooling Most of the world uses geothermal heat pumps for heating in cold climates. Hawaii ...

Nysa Unveils Ambitious Geothermal Project: Exploratory Drilling Set for Spring 2026

Nysa May Be Sitting on Vast Geothermal Wealth: Exploratory Drilling to Begin in Spring 2026 By: Robert Buluma Nysa, a historic town in southern Poland, could soon become a regional pioneer in geothermal energy. With the signing of a contract for a geothermal exploratory well, the municipality has officially launched one of the most ambitious renewable energy projects ever undertaken in the Opole Voivodeship. Preparatory works will continue through 2025, with drilling scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and continue for approximately six months. The goal is clear: to confirm whether deep beneath Nysa lie geothermal waters capable of transforming the town’s heating system, economy, and environmental footprint. A Strategic Step Toward Energy Independence According to Nysa Mayor Kordian Kolbiarz, geothermal energy represents far more than a technological experiment. It is a strategic investment in the town’s future. If the geothermal resources are confirmed, they could supply heat and hot wa...