Conditions for Innovation in Geothermal Power Generation

The innovation process of generating electricity from deep geothermal heat is still in its early stages – the current phase is one of preliminary research. The state of this technology today is comparable to that of photovoltaics in the 1970s. The number of actors engaged in this field is small, comprising primarily of non-university research institutes, drilling technology companies, as well as municipalities, municipal utilities, power companies and district heating companies. It is mainly research actors, dedicated individuals and research funding that act as a motor for advancing the relevant pilot and demonstration plants.