| Title | Promotion of geothermal energy in Switzerland: a recent programme for a long-lasting task |
|---|---|
| Authors | François-D. Vuataz, Harald L. Gorhan and Markus Geissmann |
| Year | 2003 |
| Conference | European Geothermal Conference |
| Keywords | Promotion programme, information, education, marketing, Switzerland. |
| Abstract | In 2001, a 10-year programme called "SwissEnergy" was initiated by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, mainly devoted to a more efficient use of energy, with specific tasks such as energy saving, reduction of CO2 emission and a distinctly increased contribution of the renewable energies. Hence, the Swiss Geothermal Society (SGS) was entrusted with the mandate to promote the application of geothermal energy at a national level. The main objectives of this programme are to create a sound image of geothermal energy in general, to inform about the various technologies already in use all over the country and to show their potentials for the future. The strategy deployed should consider a full collaboration between all energy actors, namely the Federal Office of Energy, local utility companies and energy agencies as well as the different networks present in the field of renewable energy (geothermal, sun, wind and biomass). This promotion programme is considering the various types of geothermal resources and technologies available in Switzerland, such as borehole heat exchangers, groundwater wells, foundation piles, thermal springs, deep aquifers and warm tunnel drainage waters. The said promotion programme is organised around five activity modules: |