UTES Symposium in Zurich
The GEOTHERMICA Initiative, Geothermal IWG, and IEA Geothermal co-organized a symposium on underground thermal energy storage (UTES) on the 6th of October in conjunction with the European Geothermal Congress 2025 in Zurich, Switzerland.
The UTES Symposium brought together experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore the market potential of UTES. The focus of the event was on the essential conditions for large-scale deployment for which an effective policy environment and robust business models are key.
The first session featured presentations from several countries, highlighting national approaches to UTES policy development and implementation. The session concluded with a moderated panel discussion aimed at identifying the key elements of a policy framework that can effectively support the uptake of UTES technologies.
The second session presented the economic drivers and potential of several UTES projects. A moderated panel discussion, including audience engagement, explored the key components of a resilient and scalable UTES business model.
Presentations from the symposium are available below:
Introductions & Welcome
GEOTHERMICA Initiative – Paul Ramsak
Geothermal IWG – Gerdi Breembroek
IEA Geothermal – Kasumi Yasukawa
Session 1 – UTES Policies & Strategies
UTES Policy & Strategies in Switzerland
– Christian Minnig, SFOE Swiss Federal Office of Energy
Overview of UTES Policies & Strategies in Europe
– Robin Horsmans, RVO Netherlands Enterprise Agency
EC Strategies & Policies Relevant for UTES
– Matthieu Ballu, European Commission DG ENER
Session 2 – UTES Projects & Business Cases
ATES Zurich Airport
– Rolf Gisler, Flughafen Zürich AG
Developing and demonstrating HT-Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage in Delft
– Martin Bloemendal, TU Delft – Dutch Geological Survey
Role and pathway for integrating thermal energy storage (TES) in Vienna
– Rusbeh Rezania, Wien Energie GmbH
HEAT™ technology – fracture thermal energy storage (FTES) in Tromsø
– Eivind Bastesen, Ruden Energy
QHeat Borehole Thermal Energy Storage Concept
– Rami Niemi, Qheat
Panel Session – From UTES Strategies to Action
Moderated by Gerdi Breembroek, Chair Geothermal IWG
– Luca Xodo, ETIP Geothermal – Sanjeev Kumar, EGEC – Thomas Jahrfeld, SWM
– Robin Horsmans, RVO – Christian Minnig, SFOE
Panel Session – Why is Storage Key?
Moderated by Paul Ramsak, Chair GEOTHERMICA Initiative
– Martin Bloemendal, TU Delft – Rusbeh Rezania, Wien Energy – Eivind Bastesen, Ruden Energy
– Rolf Gisler, Zurich Airport – Rami Niemi, Qheat
