As Europe accelerates its transition to sustainable energy, geothermal technologies are emerging as a reliable cornerstone for industrial decarbonization. The GeoS-TECHIS project, funded by the European Union, is advancing this shift by developing innovative solutions that integrate geothermal energy into industrial heating and cooling systems. A central focus is the demonstration site at Kauman, Spain, which is serving as a proving ground for these technologies.
Now in its first year of operation (October 2024–September 2025), the project is moving from design and simulation toward early deployment. While it is still too early for full performance results, the progress so far offers valuable insights into both the opportunities and challenges of scaling geothermal solutions for industrial use.
The Kauman Demonstration Site: An Overview
The Kauman facility, located in northern Spain, is acting as a living laboratory for GeoS-TECHIS. Unlike conventional industrial pilots, this site integrates several streams of innovation potential:
- Simultaneous industrial heating and cooling demands to demonstrate GeoS-TECHIS prototype of thermal system.
- Thermal Energy Storage (TES) concepts, customized for the site, with new nanofluid formulations showing strong thermal properties.
- Hybrid digital twin models, linking real-time monitoring with process simulations to guide energy management.
- A comprehensive environmental and societal assessment framework, ensuring the project meets sustainability and “Do No Significant Harm” principles.
Rather than being a finished installation, Kauman is currently in the stage of defining the modifications needed to fulfill its key role in the GeoS-TECHIS project, with equipment selection, system layouts, and monitoring infrastructure under development.
Progress at Kauman: Year One
The first 12 months of GeoS-TECHIS have focused on laying the technical and organizational foundations for the pilot with Kauman’s role central in every step:
- System design and boundary conditions (WP2):
At Kauman, the integrated heating and cooling system has been defined around the plant’s simultaneous demand for hot thermal oil and chilled water. Boundary conditions such as seasonal variation, production schedules, and available space were central to the design. Numerical analyses showed that turbocompressors would not meet Kauman’s requirements, so a four-stage piston steam compressor was selected and procurement has begun. Layout designs now reflect Kauman’s plant environment and safety standards. - Thermal Energy Storage development (WP3):
Kauman has defined the dimensioning and operating windows for TES to buffer the plant’s thermal cycles. This work aligned TES capacity with batch production rhythms and peak load demands. Nanofluid candidates tested in the lab showed conductivity above 0.5 W/mK at 90°C, providing promising options for Kauman’s operating conditions. - Digital twin and monitoring setup (WP4):
Kauman’s thermal processes and requirements have been analyzed. Additional sensors and integration of data acquisition systems are underway to feed into the hybrid digital-twin framework. This will enable predictive control of thermal assets and support decarbonization planning for Kauman. - Manufacturing and testing preparations (WP5):
Preparations have focused on site-specific requirements: installation layout, safety and usability, and maintenance planning. Procurement of key components such as compressors has started, 3D CAD designs now reflect the prototype thermal system layout, and subcontracting for the prototype implementation in Kauman is underway. - Environmental and societal assessment (WP6):
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) baseline for Kauman includes indexes on energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption. Early findings highlight opportunities for significant CO₂ savings compared to the existing fossil-based heating system. Stakeholder engagement, including workshops and employee consultations, is underway to ensure usability and acceptance. - Communication and dissemination (WP7):
At Kauman, geothermal energy can be successfully combined with a high-temperature heat pump to cover part of the site’s thermal demand. This practical example helps illustrate how such systems can be adapted in industrial contexts and provides material for communication activities aimed at raising awareness of geothermal solutions across Europe.
This coordinated progress demonstrates how multiple streams namely technical, digital, environmental, and social are being aligned to make geothermal solutions viable for industry.
Early Lessons: Challenges and Innovations
Even in its first year, the Kauman site has surfaced important lessons:
- Technical complexity requires iteration: The switch from turbo compressors to piston compressors was driven by the compression ratios required to meet Kauman’s thermal energy demands and the site’s fluctuating load conditions, highlighting the importance of adaptable system design.
- Data integration is critical: Legacy equipment at Kauman presented compatibility challenges. Custom data protocols are being developed to ensure smooth integration into the digital twin framework.
- TES must fit production cycles: The design of TES for Kauman underlined the importance of aligning storage capacity with batch production, ensuring energy balancing without disrupting output.
- Environmental impact is measurable early on: Initial LCA baselines at Kauman already point toward notable CO₂ reductions. These early indicators are helping build confidence among stakeholders in the value of the installation.
Scaling GeoS-TECHIS Technologies Across Europe
Though still in development, the work at Kauman is already shaping a roadmap for scalability:
- Food and beverage industries: Similar to Kauman’s focus, geothermal-powered heating and cooling could replace fossil-based systems for processes like pasteurization and refrigeration.
- Manufacturing sectors:Several industrial sectors offer near-term potential for integrating geothermal heat or high-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs). Sectors such as pulp and paper, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, and non-metallic minerals stand out as particularly suitable. These industries often require process heat in the range of ~80–160 °C, which aligns with current or emerging HTHP capabilities.
- Chemical and pharmaceutical industries: Stable, low-carbon thermal energy could support distillation and drying processes, while TES integration would balance demand fluctuations.
Because GeoS-TECHIS technologies are modular and flexible, they can be adapted to varied geologies (or even other heat sources) and industrial needs across Europe. The hybrid digital twins, in particular, promise to guide site selection, process optimization, and cost savings at scale.
Broader Implications for European Industry
The work at Kauman provides a glimpse of how innovative thermal systems, powered by diverse low- and medium-temperature heat sources, including geothermal and electrification, could reshape European industry:
- Advancing EU net-zero targets: By shifting thermal processes from fossil-fuel reliance to low-carbon energy sources, Kauman demonstrates how hard-to-abate sectors can decarbonize, offering a model for broader industrial adoption.
- Enhancing resilience to energy volatility: Diversifying energy inputs reduces dependence on natural gas and shields production from price swings, a lesson applicable to many manufacturers seeking stability in an unpredictable energy market.
- Supporting regional economies: Implementing advanced thermal solutions involves local expertise for design, installation, and maintenance, highlighting the potential for job creation and skills development across regions.
By aligning with EU policy frameworks like the Green Deal, GeoS-TECHIS is well-positioned to help industry accelerate toward climate neutrality.
Shaping the Future of Geothermal Energy
Kauman represents the early stages of a geothermal transition in industry. With consortium partners including ITG, SINTEF, EnginSoft, LEITAT, the University of Ljubljana, and others, the project is combining technical innovation with environmental assessment and stakeholder engagement.
While full operational results will come in later phases, the first 12 months have set a strong foundation. The lessons and progress at Kauman will guide future deployments, ensuring geothermal solutions are not only technically sound but also sustainable and socially supported.
Join the GeoS-TECHIS Movement
GeoS-TECHIS is revolutionizing industrial energy systems through innovation and collaboration. Explore our open-source tools, contribute to our mission, or share your ideas at the GeoS-TECHIS homepage. Tweet us @GeoSTECHIS with your thoughts on sustainable industry! Together, we can build a greener, more resilient industrial future.
Let’s shape a sustainable tomorrow!
The GeoS-TECHIS Team
