UTES Workshop 2025: Europe’s Underground Energy Future Takes Shape in Vienna

22 May 2025 — Vienna, Austria

Europe’s leading policymakers, researchers, and industry innovators gathered at Schloss Schönbrunn for the 2025 Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) Workshop, hosted by IWG Geothermal, IEA Geothermal, and the GEOTHERMICA Initiative. The event marked a pivotal moment in Europe’s journey toward large‑scale seasonal heat storage and a resilient, decarbonised energy system.

Delegations from Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway shared national progress, challenges, and strategic priorities:

• Austria highlighted strong policy backing and flagship projects such as ScaleUp and giga_TES.
• Germany outlined promising support schemes while addressing regulatory complexity across mining, water, and construction law.
• The Netherlands brought decades of ATES experience and emphasised the growing challenge of electricity grid congestion.
• Switzerland presented its new national risk‑guarantee mechanism and a diverse portfolio of BTES and LT‑ATES projects.
• Iceland showcased geothermal leadership and emerging UTES applications in colder regions.
• Norway introduced its high‑enthalpy aquifer project in Tromsø—an innovative model for northern climates.

Financial frameworks and business cases took centre stage, with insights from BNG Bank, QHeat, Wien Energie, and project developers across Europe. Discussions underscored the need for:

• Clearer business models for high‑temperature UTES
• Harmonised permitting
• Cross‑border risk‑sharing
• Stronger integration of seasonal heat storage into national energy planning

A follow‑up UTES Symposium will take place on 6 October 2025, shifting the conversation from insights to implementation.

All workshop presentations are available for download see here ->

UTES Workshop 2025

Europe’s underground energy future takes shape in Vienna