| Title | Contribution of UNU/GTP training to geothermal development in Central and Eastern European countries |
|---|---|
| Authors | Beata Kepinska |
| Year | 2003 |
| Conference | Iceland Geothermal Conference |
| Keywords | geothermal training, Iceland, the United Nations University, internationalco-operation, Central and Eastern Europe. |
| Abstract | Geothermal energy represents the biggest potential and has in many countries the most promising prospects for development among all renewable energy sources. It is expected that its role and level of use will steadily increase, especially in light of the new challenges to be met globally, i.e. rationalization of energy use, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Successful development of geothermal use is conditioned by access to the knowledge, modern methods, best experiences, and the worldթ՟s solutions. The United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme (UNU/GTP), offered in Iceland, creates unique possibilities in this respect, providing generous assistance to many developing countries, and Central and Eastern European countries in educating their own geothermal professionals. This paper describes the contribution of the UNU/GTP in educating teams of geothermal specialists from those Central and Eastern European countries (CEE), which have significant geothermal potential. The UNU/GTP has been in existence for 25 years, from 1979 to 2003. The first European students came from Turkey in 1985, but from other CEE countries in 1989 or later. From 1985, 52 Fellows from the CEE have completed the UNU/GTP (17% of the total number of 300 graduates from all countries). The UNU/GTP has made an enormous contribution to the dissemination of information, transfer of knowledge, and best world practice. The knowledge and skills gathered by Fellows during the UNU/GTP courses result in important benefits for their countries, institutions, and individual professional development. Graduates from the CEE are actively employed in various geothermal-related fields in their home countries, and even internationally. They are involved in geothermal education, research, project preparation, implementation, and operations. Thanks to the UNU/GTP, the process of creating teams of professionals, capable of covering the full scope of geothermal disciplines and activities is well advanced in some CEE countries. Professional knowledge, and experience in successful international co-operation gathered during the UNU/GTP in Iceland, have created new and high quality skills transferred to the home countries of the Fellows. This knowledge, practice, and experience create a strong foundation for further progress in geothermal energy development and usage in several CEE countries. |