GeoHEAT

GeoHEAT is set to transform how we explore geothermal energy by rethinking where we spend time and money. Instead of relying on expensive and often uncertain surface surveys, the project proposes two big shifts: cutting costs before drilling and getting much more value out of each well we drill. These changes are made possible by new, evolving technologies, all aimed at making geothermal more reliable, affordable, and better understood by the public.
1. Cutting Pre-Drilling Costs Without Losing Insight
One of the biggest problems with traditional geothermal exploration is that surface investigations can be very costly and do not  always lead to useful results. GeoHEAT proposes a better way: low-cost prospection methods that focus on understanding the range of possible underground conditions rather than trying to guess one perfect model.
To this end, the project aims to develop advanced passive seismic techniques. These record natural vibrations in the Earth, which are then analyzed to map underground structures. When these seismic methods are combined with gravity data and analyzed through a probabilistic framework, they can give a picture of potential geothermal reservoir locations without the high price tag of conventional active seismic methods.
What makes this approach stand out is how it embraces uncertainty. Instead of ignoring what we do not know, GeoHEAT builds that uncertainty into its models. While it may not increase the accuracy of the location of potential reservoirs, it offers a better grasp of the uncertainties involved, making it easier to communicate risks and expectations to stakeholders and the public.
Because these proposed methods are affordable and fast, multiple locations can be explored at once. This opens up the chance to learn about how geothermal resources vary on a regional 100 km scale and helps to better guide decisions about where to drill with an increased chance of success. 
2. Getting More from Every Well Drilled
Drilling is the most expensive part of geothermal projects, and therefore risky. GeoHEAT aims to make each borehole more informative by turning it into a “window” into the surrounding rock. Instead of drilling blindly, the project introduces new technologies to see beyond the borehole walls and gather detailed data throughout the process.
One of the key innovations is a geothermal-grade georadar that can image up to 100 meters around the borehole. This will provide a clearer view of where fluids can flow, where heat can be extracted, and where potentially seismically susceptible faults are located. On top of that, GeoHEAT is working on digital rock physics tools - basically, virtual models of rock cuttings collected during drilling - that help analyze material properties at low cost.
Another exciting part is real-time processing of tiny earthquakes (microseismicity) induced by drilling fluids during drilling. Using AI, these signals can be interpreted quickly to learn more about seismically susceptible faults and the associated seismic hazards and risks.
Altogether, these tools will support better forecasts of geothermal potential and reduce project risks. The goal is to significantly improve drilling success, making deep geothermal a more attractive, reliable, and scalable energy source.