The Geothermal Research Cluster (GEORG) is a non-profit organisation whose aim is promoting research and development of geothermal resources in a sustainable manner as well as contributing to reducing the world’s dependence on carbon based energy. GEORG brings together various actors in the geothermal field to accelerate the uptake of geothermal energy internationally, increasing value creation in research, engineering, and design for the benefit of society.

Goals: 

• Reduce worldwide GHG emission by contributing to a significant increase in sustainable energy production/utilisation from geothermal sources. 
• Make Iceland a case study for near-total energy independent and a carbon-neutral society. 
• Create a platform for entrepreneurship and the export of geothermal energy resources and education, both for partners in the group and in the wider geothermal industry  
• Contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD7, SDG9 and SDG13) respectively related to Affordable and clean energy, industry, innovation and infrastructure, and climate action). 

Within GEORG, there are close interactions between academia, industry and public authorities, which has contributed to better collaboration within and between the three sectors. The cooperation focuses on furthering interdisciplinary collaborations, notably with partners from socio-economic, volcanology and agricultural disciplines. On the international level, GEORG partnered with many renowned international institutions, which have resulted in closer and more comprehensive collaborations.

Looking to raise the profile of geothermal energy with a diverse set of audience, GEORG launched in 2018 two new geothermal communication concepts/initiatives. #GeothermalFriday, a weekly series on social media to promote geothermal efforts and #LetsTalkGeothermal, a series of video interviews with geothermal actors who are shaping the future of the geothermal energy. 

GEORG was founded in 2009 based on a successful proposal to the Centre of Excellence and Research Cluster Program of the Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS).  The proposal was a seven-year project with the purpose to create and build strategic opportunities in the geothermal sector and position Iceland at the fore front of the field by creating a stronger base for entrepreneurship.    

From the very beginning there was a strong emphasis to serve GEORG partners well and to create a sustainable cooperation platform, beyond the project duration.  This has now been achieved and GEORG has become a key player in bridging a critical gap between different geothermal communities and has evolved to become a self-sustained research-driven international geothermal non-profit organization.   

Thanks to the long-term vision and commitment of GEORG’s board and its operational team, GEORG has thrived and acts as an impartial collaboration platform by building bridges between Research, Industry, and Public Authorities, for the benefit of society.