Industry and Academic Association Expands Leadership in Response to Accelerating Global Investment in Geothermal Energy and significant Growth in Membership

Three years ago, industry and academia united to launch a new initiative to advance the role of geothermal energy in the energy transition with the formation of the Geothermal Energy Advancement Association (GEAA). Today, we are announcing an expanded leadership team in response to both a significant membership increase, considerable new research activity and a global acceleration in investment in geothermal heat and power projects.

GEAA are pleased to announce that Professor Kevin Taylor at Manchester University will take on the role of the next President of the Geothermal Energy Advancement Association. Kevin is a geoscientist with over 25 years of experience of research, teaching and training in geoenergy and subsurface systems. He is currently Professor of Geoscience at the University of Manchester and the Director of the MSc programme on Geoscience for Sustainable Energy. His focus includes both rocks and fluids in the subsurface, their characterisation and prediction. He has a long-standing interest in subsurface geoenergy, including work on geothermal systems, geological energy storage and carbon capture and storage, as well as the geodisposal of radioactive waste.

Professor Taylor commented: 
“I am pleased to take up the position of President of the Geothermal Energy Advancement Association and will commit my skills and experience to the promotion and advocacy of geothermal energy with and on behalf of the members of GEAA. I would like to thank our founding President, Professor Jon Gluyas. He has worked tirelessly to help set up and drive forward the Association. I am delighted that Jon will remain on the Board as Honorary Past President.”

GEAA's founding President, Jon Gluyas, Professor at Durham University and Director of the Durham Energy Institute at Durham University, becomes our first Honorary Past President.

Professor Gluyas noted: 
“We are delighted to take this important step as part of our efforts to advocate more sustainable, secure, clean and affordable energy availability world-wide. Kevin has an outstanding track record, as well as excellent team of faculty and students who kindly helped host and support our recent Annual General Meeting of GEAA at their premises.”

Professor Tassos Karayiannis, Director at the Centre for Energy Efficient and Sustainable Technologies (CEEST), Brunel University London, has agreed to become First Vice President of GEAA. He mentioned that: “Our research in renewable energy shows that geothermal energy for heat and electricity generation can create a significant step-change in UK and global energy provision and reduce harmful emissions. I am very pleased to participate in GEAA, making this a reality.”

Chris Sladen, PhD, CBE has agreed to continue on the GEAA Board in the role of Chair of Founding Members. 

He commented: 
“I am delighted to continue in this role working with the expanded membership for a cleaner, decarbonized world at this critical point in time. We are creating a solid platform from which to advocate geothermal as a sustainable source for near zero-carbon heat and power. In recent months, the global footprint and advocacy of GEAA has expanded considerably through our Global Ambassadors program.”

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