“This is not just about sharing slides,” says Heikki Bauert, project manager of EGT-TWINN. “It’s about sharing a future where clean heating is local, affordable, and rooted in our own geology.”

Why Geothermal, Why Now?

Geothermal energy is a renewable and constant source of heat originating from the Earth’s interior. It is primarily generated by the natural radioactive decay of elements such as uranium, thorium, and potassium, and is available across Estonia from shallow depths of just a few meters to several kilometers underground.

While Estonia has long focused on shallow heat systems, such as horizontal collectors, recent developments have expanded attention to medium and deep geothermal technologies. Supported by the Ministry of Climate and EU climate funding instruments, EGT is currently leading research, pilot plant development, thermal property measurements, policy design, and stakeholder outreach.

Recent projects demonstrate that geothermal energy can reduce heating costs by 30–60% and cooling costs by 20–50% compared to conventional systems. Boreholes deeper than 500 meters offer significantly higher efficiency, with long-term system durability and low maintenance requirements.

What the Conference Covers

The conference will feature five thematic sessions:

• Geothermal energy in crystalline rocks

• Geothermal systems in sedimentary basins

• Regional insights from the Baltic States

• District heating networks and infrastructure

• Environmental permitting, regulation, and policy frameworks

Keynote presentations will be delivered by leading experts, including:

• Alan Bischoff (Geological Survey of Finland)

• Andres Gonzalez Quiros (British Geological Survey)

• Lars Hjørtshøj (ATES A/S, Denmark)

• Søren Skjold Andersen (Termonet Denmark)

• Martin Bloemendaal (Delft University of Technology)

• Argo Jõeleht (University of Tartu)

Each session will combine international case studies and national experiences, creating a dynamic forum for knowledge exchange between research and implementation.

Online participation is free of charge.
Registration and full program available at: https://lnkd.in/ddUdDsGN

Estonia’s Pilot Projects and Research Strategy

On June 12, participants will visit two geothermal pilot plants that showcase how Estonia is moving from theoretical studies to full-scale implementation:

Roosna-Alliku (Järvamaa)
Commissioned in late 2023, this closed-loop system includes five boreholes (357–512 m deep) and supplies 400 kW of thermal energy to a local district heating network. The system heats a kindergarten, school, municipal buildings, an apartment block, and a commercial property. It features laser-based and fiber-optic temperature sensors, allowing high-resolution performance monitoring.

Arbavere Research Centre
Currently under construction, the Arbavere site includes a 712 m deep coaxial borehole and will test low-temperature heating and cooling networks with a total planned capacity of 40 kW. The installation supports EGT’s internal research programs and training activities.

These projects, together with the Taludevahe pilot in Tallinn, form the core of Estonia’s GEOENEST project, which evaluates the feasibility of geothermal systems under different geological and infrastructural conditions.

A Broader National and European Strategy

The conference takes place at a critical moment. Estonia has joined European efforts to meet climate neutrality goals by 2050, where heating and cooling represent nearly 40% of final energy consumption. EGT’s work aligns with the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) and contributes to platforms like ETIP-Geothermal and the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC).

EGT is actively contributing to:

• A national borehole mapping system

• Modelling of geothermal potential at 100, 300, 500, and 1000 meters

• Legal and permitting framework analysis

• Pilot plant development and operational monitoring

• Public outreach and education

Geothermal energy is particularly suited to Estonia’s conditions: it is weather-independent, quiet, long-lasting, and does not rely on imported fuels or critical raw materials. It can support both individual buildings and centralised district networks, especially in areas where land for solar or wind energy is limited.

Conference Overview

• Dates: June 10–11, 2025
• Format: Hybrid (in-person and online)
• Location: Hestia Hotel Europa, Tallinn, Estonia
• Excursion: June 12 – field visit to Roosna-Alliku and Arbavere pilot sites (for on-site attendees)
• Online registration: https://lnkd.in/ddUdDsGN
  

The hybrid event will take place at the Hestia Hotel Europa in Tallinn and will conclude with a field excursion on June 12 to Estonia’s key geothermal pilot sites at Arbavere and Roosna-Alliku. 

A Future Made in Estonia, Powered from Beneath

The Tallinn conference will serve as a platform for cross-border collaboration, technological learning, and strategic discussion. As Estonia builds out its national geoenergy competence, this event marks a key milestone in positioning the country as a knowledgeable and capable contributor to Europe’s geothermal future.