The Geothermal Energy Advancement Association (GEAA) today announced the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), based in Aberdeen, and Brunel University London have joined the GEAA as Founding Members. Other members include energy companies, universities, institutions, and professional services. With the addition of NZTC and Brunel University, there are currently 19 Founding Members.

GEAA is a not-for-profit stakeholder-driven association that advocates increased investment in, and awareness of, this sustainable source for low carbon power, heat, and hot water, and in some cases, potential for strategic and valuable minerals. GEAA aims to promote geothermal, its future role, and the necessary policy and legal frameworks needed to accelerate its use. Its Working Groups provide easy-to-follow 1-pagers for information on key aspects of geothermal. It is open globally to all those interested in advancing geothermal and its role in transitioning to a world using less hydrocarbons.

Craig Nicol, Project Manager at Net Zero Technology Centre in Aberdeen commented: 
“NZTC is delighted to join GEAA as a founding member. Membership will provide a great opportunity for us to grow our network and industry knowledge in the geothermal arena whilst supporting the delivery of the required policy and legal frameworks to accelerate the use of geothermal energy. As an energy source that emits little or no greenhouse gases, we are excited about the potential of geothermal to deliver a clean and more sustainable energy future.”

Professor Tassos Karayiannis, Director at the Centre for Energy Efficient and Sustainable Technologies (CEEST), Brunel University London mentioned that: 
“research in renewable energy was always a priority in CEEST with members also contributing to postgraduate courses in this area. We now believe that geothermal energy for heat or electricity generation is a possible step in engineering that can lead to a significant step-change in UK and global energy provision and reduction of environmentally harmful emissions. We are therefore very pleased to participate and contribute to the work and activities of GEAA, making this a reality.” 

President of GEAA, Professor Jon Gluyas, Director of the Durham Energy Institute at Durham University, noted: 
“With COP27 rapidly approaching, it is essential to consolidate plans for a low carbon world. Through GEAA, we plan to deliver concise messages that get to the heart of the changes needed to produce and distribute low carbon geothermal heat and power.”

Chair of GEAA Founding Members, Chris Sladen, commented: 
“In recent months, the world has realised the importance of geothermal in creating permanent energy security; it can be available everywhere and be totally independent of weather. Our Working Groups are preparing briefing notes, the most recent two explain how geothermal can make a beneficial transition from hydrocarbons, and the role for geothermal in agriculture and food sustainability in the UK.”

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