In this interview, Dr. Amel Barich, Founder & CEO of Geoscience Research and Communications (GRC) , shares insights into the future of geothermal energy, covering superhot geothermal systems, advanced drilling, international collaboration, social license to operate, developing-country opportunities, and the growing role of geothermal in integrated energy systems. Image : Dr. Amel Barich Founder & CEO, Geoscience Research and Communications (GRC) Geoscientist | Geothermal R&D&I | Social License to Operate Q1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and describe your current role in advancing geothermal innovation? I am a geoscientist and geothermal professional with a background spanning geothermal research and innovation, international collaboration, policy and science diplomacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication. Over the past decade, I have worked from Iceland across major European and international geothermal initiatives, leading collaborative R...
New Geothermal Heating Solution in Aalborg
Aalborg is taking an important step toward a cleaner energy future. A new geothermal demonstration project in Storvorde is designed to test a modern heating solution that could provide stable, local, and renewable district heating for the years ahead.
Heat accounts for a large share of global energy use, and most of that heat still comes from fossil fuels. That creates a major challenge for energy companies, cities, and communities looking for better ways to heat homes and businesses. The project in Aalborg is part of the effort to answer that challenge with a practical green alternative.
Green Therma is leading the project in close collaboration with Aalborg Forsyning and other partners. Together, they are developing and testing Heat4Ever™, a geothermal solution that aims to deliver heat from the earth’s interior with very low CO2 emissions. The project is supported by EUDP and is intended as a full-scale demonstration of what future geothermal district heating could look like in Denmark.
A Local Project With a Bigger Purpose
Although the project is located in Storvorde, its significance goes far beyond one local site. The goal is not only to test a technical solution, but also to develop knowledge that can help expand renewable heating in other places.
The project is being carried out at Industrivej 12G, where the team is working through several stages before the system becomes fully operational. Each phase is designed to ensure the project is safe, well planned, and ready for long-term use.
This kind of demonstration project is important because it turns ideas into real-world experience. Instead of only studying geothermal energy in theory, Green Therma and its partners are building and testing a working solution under practical conditions. That makes it possible to learn how the system performs, what challenges appear, and how the technology can be improved over time.
For residents in Storvorde, the project also offers a chance to follow how a major green energy solution is developed step by step. It shows how local infrastructure can contribute to a wider transition toward cleaner heating.
How the Project Will Unfold
The project is divided into five main phases, each with its own purpose. The first phase is the preliminary investigation stage, where the area is studied and technical planning begins. This helps determine how the geothermal system can be built and what conditions need to be taken into account.
The second phase is preparation and mobilization. During this stage, equipment, materials, and personnel are brought to the site, and the area is readied for the next steps. This phase is important because it helps keep the later construction work organized and efficient.
The third phase is the drilling phase. This is one of the most important parts of the project because it is where the geothermal system begins to take shape underground. Drilling must be done carefully and precisely so the system can function as intended.
After that comes the connection and restoration phase. Here, the new infrastructure is connected to the rest of the heating system, and the surface area is restored as much as possible after construction. This is also the point where the site starts to move from a construction zone into a functioning energy installation.
The final phase is the operational phase. Once the system is active, it will begin delivering geothermal heat as part of the district heating supply. At this stage, the project shifts from development to real-world use, which is the ultimate goal of the demonstration.
Why Geothermal Heat Matters
Geothermal energy is attractive because it offers a local and renewable source of heat. Unlike fossil fuels, it does not depend on burning carbon-based materials to create energy. That makes it especially relevant in the search for lower-emission heating systems.
A geothermal solution can also support energy stability. Since heat from the earth is available continuously, it can help provide reliable district heating over time. This makes it different from energy sources that depend heavily on weather conditions.
Another advantage is that the surface footprint can be small. In this project, the technology is designed to work with only a small technical building above ground, while most of the system operates below the surface. That makes it easier to fit into a local area without major visual impact.
If the project performs well, it could help show how geothermal heating may become part of a broader energy mix. That is why demonstration projects like this one are so valuable: they provide evidence for future decisions.
Questions People May Have
When new construction or energy infrastructure appears in a community, it is normal for people to have questions. Residents may wonder how the building process will work, how long it will take, and what kinds of temporary disruption could happen during the project.
Some people may also ask about the seismic surveys that are part of the preparation process. Others may want to know whether there will be noise, traffic, or other inconvenience while work is underway. These are reasonable concerns, and they are part of any responsible project discussion.
There are also questions about the finished system itself. People may want to know how much electricity it uses, how much space it takes, whether it affects district heating supply, and what it will look like once construction is complete.
Safety is another common concern. Residents often want reassurance that the system will not pose a risk to neighboring homes or the environment. That is why communication and transparency are so important throughout the project.
Working With the Community
One of the strengths of the project is the collaboration between Green Therma, Aalborg Forsyning, and other partners. Projects like this work best when there is close coordination between the technical team, the utility company, and the local community.
Public communication helps build trust. When people understand what is happening, why it is happening, and what to expect, the project becomes easier to follow and support. That is especially important in a neighborhood where people may live near the site during construction. Many projects have stalled the point when public participation was viewed as an option not a priority.
Residents in Storvorde can follow the development through Aalborg Forsyning’s website. That gives the local community a way to stay informed as the project moves through its different stages.
There is also a contact person for questions. Project manager Mads Sylvest Eegholm can be reached by phone at 51 49 22 04 or by email at mse@greentherma.com. Having a clear point of contact is useful because it gives people a direct place to raise concerns or ask for more information.
A Step Toward Future Energy
The Aalborg geothermal project is more than a local construction effort. It is a test of how future heating systems could work in a cleaner and more sustainable way.
If the demonstration is successful, it may help open the door to wider use of geothermal district heating in Denmark and beyond. That would be an important step toward reducing emissions while still meeting the need for reliable heat.
Image: Green Therma CEO and founder Jørgen Peter Rasmussen (right) and Aalborg Forsyning CEO Jesper Høstgaard-Jensen (left) stand at the Heat4Ever™ demonstration project site in Storvorde, Aalborg, Denmark, celebrating the awarding of the geothermal exploration license. The project will showcase Green Therma's next-generation closed-loop geothermal technology, which is designed to deliver renewable district heating without relying on natural groundwater reservoirs. The demonstration plant forms part of a 30-year heat supply agreement with Aalborg Forsyning and represents a major milestone in advancing geothermal heating across Denmark.
For now, the project is about careful testing, responsible development, and learning from each stage. It is a practical example of how innovation can move from concept to reality.
As communities look for better energy solutions, projects like this show that progress is possible. They also show that the future of heating may come from beneath our feet.
Read More : Green Therma Geothermal: Fifth-Generation Closed-Loop Technology for Europe’s Clean Heat Future
Source: Green Therma
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