The GEOTHERMICA Initiative and IEA Geothermal organized a Symposium on Geothermal Storage (Underground Thermal Energy Storage) ahead of the World Geothermal Congress 2026 in Calgary, Canada. The event was the last in a series of workshops organized in Europe to explore the potential of geothermal storage, also known as underground thermal energy storage (UTES) to support the energy transition. This time the focus was on geothermal storage potential in other parts of the world.

With speakers from the United States, Canada, Korea, the Netherlands, and Germany, the event gave a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in geothermal storage around the world. More than a hundred participants attended the symposium.

The first session focused on policies and strategies from North America, Asia, and Europe, while the second session introduced successful geothermal storage projects. You can find the presentations from the symposium on the right.

Welcome & Introduction
Chairs of the GEOTHERMICA Initiative & IEA Geothermal

Session I: Geothermal Storage (UTES) Strategies & Policies

Geothermal Storage in Europe - Overview
Robin Horsmans, Advisor Energy Innovation, Netherlands Enterprise Agency

Geothermal Storage in Canada - Overview
Andrew Wigston, Senior Geoscientist, NRCan Natural Resources Canada

Geothermal Storage in the United States - Overview
Erik Witter, Geoscience Researcher, NLR National Laboratory of the Rockies

Geothermal Storage in South Korea & Regions in Asia - Overview
Byoung Ohan Shim, KIGAM Korea Institute of Geoscience & Mineral Resources

Geothermal Storage: Hot│Cool ! A Cultural History of Thermal Energy Storage 
Sarah Kantrowitz, Process Architect, Karstov Izvor Cooperative

Session II: International Showcase Projects

Drake Landing, Next Generation Borehole Thermal Energy Storage, Canada
James Bererton, Chief Innovation Officer, Therma City Energy

Delft Large Scale Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage, Netherlands
Martin Bloemendal, Associate Professor - Underground Thermal Energy Storage, TU Delft

Bochum Mine Thermal Energy Storage, Germany
Florian Hahn, Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures IEC

Reservoir Thermal Energy Storage for Datacentres
Randal Wichuk, CEO & Daniel Alonso, Principal Geoscientist, Teverra

Panel Discussion - Geothermal Storage is Key!