| Title | Legal and Technical Criteria for Definition of Geothermal Energy Resource – Agenda in the Czech Republic |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stibitz, Jirakova, Tym, Vanecek, Novak |
| Year | 2013 |
| Conference | European Geothermal Conference |
| Keywords | Legislative framework, Energy Regulatory Office, Permission process, Litomerice Case Study |
| Abstract | Stable energy supply and management is one of the principle functions of a modern society. In the Czech Republic, three institutions are in charge for legislative background in renewable energy sources: Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Industry and Trade and Energy Regulatory Office. A long-term effect of regulatory steps is reflected in a long-term strategy of about 20-30 years. In the Czech Republic, this strategy was accepted in 2004 as a National Energy Strategy promoting renewable energy resources. Legal aspects of the geothermal energy use are quite complicated. In the Czech Republic, there is currently no unified legal or technical regulation dealing with deep geothermal energy sources and their use in transparent and comprehensive manner. The geothermal issue is included in legislative documents together with other renewable energy sources and is partly discussed in several laws encompassing geology and mining. Legislation topic has been currently under investigation in the frame of GeoDH project lead by European Geothermal Energy Council aiming at removing administrative and financial barriers and adopting right regulatory framework, The presented paper includes review of legal and technical criteria and formulation of standardized and adequate methods and procedures, discussions on geothermal resource delineation and impact to the surrounding environment and other solutions concerning the conflict of interests. |