Project Management

Project management activities are structured to ensure equality and representation of all partners in implementation. The project holder, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture of the University of Zagreb (FSB), is responsible for the implementation of management activities, while all partners contribute to the implementation of sub-activities. The project envisages the employment of one person for the position of assistant project manager and the subcontracting of consultants with the aim of successful implementation of the project.

Information and Communication

Activities are aimed at direct (scientific and professional public, state and local public institutions) and indirect target groups (wider technical community, educational groups of young people, general public). The main channel of information is the project website, but communication will also take place through press releases and in relevant media (press, radio broadcasts), while informing the professional public includes the publication of professional papers in magazines and the participation of project team members at professional meetings in Croatia. It is planned to organize two workshops intended for the professional public and representatives of local authorities and institutions, as well as the organization of a final workshop in Zagreb with the aim of including representatives of state institutions, representatives of Innovation Norway and the National Focal Point. During the implementation of the project, it is planned to produce leaflets with basic information and results of the project, as well as the production of a manual for the implementation of systems with shallow geothermal energy. Visibility of the project after its completion is provided by the maintenance of the website and profile on social networks and through the organization of webinars (once a year) with the aim of continuing to fill and use the database and further promote the technology.

By increasing awareness of the possibilities of using shallow geothermal energy and creating a tool in the form of an interactive GIS map as part of the project, an increased interest in the application of the technology is expected, and consequently increased energy production from renewable energy sources.

Development of a Database on Shallow Geothermal Energy

The activity involves the collection of a series of data on the status and type of implemented systems, for which a special questionnaire was created that contains a set of data related to each individual location of shallow geothermal energy in the Republic of Croatia.

The project team has many years of experience in working with geothermal systems. Through research, consultancy, main and implementation projects, conducted measurements of soil thermal response (TRT), the team is already familiar with a number of implemented systems. For a detailed recording of the largest number of implemented systems, the project team plans to additionally contact relevant market stakeholders: drillers, designers, investors, contractors and relevant institutions along with a field tour of the system.

Produces Heat and Cooling Energy

The project call recognized the need to collect all relevant data on the installed power and energy required for heating and cooling obtained from the use of shallow geothermal resources in Croatia. The total installed capacity or the amount of energy invested to drive the system or the produced thermal (heating and cooling) energy in Croatia is not known. As part of the project, the activities of creating a methodology for estimating the delivered electric and produced thermal energy based on the seasonal efficiency model according to the type of system and building, which will determine the produced energy from renewable energy systems with shallow geothermal energy, are foreseen.

Interactive Map of the Geographic Information System

The activity includes the creation of a map for the review, aggregation and visualization of data, as well as guidelines for the use and moderation of data. The map will be used to georeference the database on shallow geothermal energy sources and enable visualization of the collected data. The developed application will represent a form of publicly available tool that strengthens the capacities of the professional public and the general population regarding the technical possibilities of these systems.