The main objective of START project is to carry out a series of advanced investigations on a prototypical reverse flow, ultra compact, combustor designed and manufactured by GE-Avio for turboprop engine as a part of the SAT ITD MAESTRO. The aim is to support the validation of the developed technologies and design rules by means of full annular combustion tests and high fidelity numerical simulations. Goals of START project will be addressed with the following steps: Verify a full additive combustor at real engine conditions in terms of combustor performance, by the measurement of emissions, gas exit temperature and liner metal temperature, through extensive full annular tests. Data will also permit validation of numerical modelling results. Improve the knowledge of combustor metal temperature and validation of aero-thermal predictions by gathering 2D temperature maps using InfraRed techniques across dedicated optical access on the full annular rig. Improve and further validate existent aero-thermal CFD modelling based on a two-step approach: RANS based CHT calculations for metal temperature and flow split predictions and LES (or Hybrid RANS-LES) calculations of the flame domain for combustor performance evaluation. Development of an innovative CFD approach based on unsteady CHT based on Hybrid RANS-LES, to allow direct calculation of aero-thermal and combustion performance behavior of the combustor. The methodology will also exploit and further validate dedicated strategy to model multi-hole liners without requiring the explicit meshing of each hole. START will greatly contribute to the goals of SAT initiative in CS2. The validation of innovative high fidelity CFD will significantly help the design of innovative combustors for addressing the target of SFC reduction faced with the increase of engine cycle efficiency. The validation of innovative additive manufacturing components at TRL5 will positively contribute to reach the objectives of reducing costs and weights.

The COMPASS project is inspired by global efforts to improve utilization of geothermal resources by enlarging production fields downwards. Energy output can be enhanced, without the need to expand surface infrastructure, by drilling into deep and hot formations. Calculations indicate that wells drilled into superhot conditions will yield 5-10 times more than a conventional well which can significantly reduce number of wells required. The main challenges to achieve this are related to the well integrity; due to extreme temperature changes and corrosive fluid chemistry encountered. Two of three wells in the Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP) have already been drilled and had serious problems with casing failures. Numerous examples of casing failures in conventional geothermal wells show that current well concepts, mainly transferred from oil and gas applications, are barely sufficient for geothermal use. COMPASS will address these challenges by developing improved and innovative well casing technologies: -To mitigate casing failures, novel foam cement solutions will be developed suitable for high temperature formations. This system would work with available flexible couplings to mitigate high-temperature induced stresses and ensuring well integrity. - Cost-effective laser-cladding will be used to improve corrosion protection inside the casing pipes. These technology developments will be enhanced with a robust well design solution addressing challenges, reducing project risk and enabling reduction of LCOE. The new well concept will enable cost-effective geothermal developments in new types of geological settings and new regions. The COMPASS consortium contains a diverse team of major geothermal research institutes and leading industry players. This combination ensures cross-fertilisation, sharing of knowledge and experience, and seamless transfer of the novel well construction technologies by industry application, including significant citizen e

The GEOSYN aim to validate a groundbreaking geothermal steam heat pump coupled with heat-powered refrigeration systems for industrial applications, specifically for the cascading use of heat from deep or shallow rock formations. The solution prioritises environmental sustainability, utilising water as the working fluid in all sub-systems, and anticipates improvements in cost-efficiency for geothermal application developments. The solution aims to facilitate the exploitation of geothermal energy sources in regions with or without significant hydrothermal reservoirs, seamlessly integrated with the industrial context and demonstrating versatility for widespread adoption. The expected outcome is a substantial increase in the deployment of geothermal resources for heat and cold generation, offering reduced environmental impact and enhanced economic attractiveness compared to the use of fossil fuels or electricity from the grid. The envisioned design is a flexible solution capable of delivering stable and cost-efficient energy tailored to the specific site and application. The solution is planned to be integrated with other renewable sources to enhance power supply reliability and grid stability. The GEOSYN will act to increase the awareness of the civil society on geothermal energy and will engage with policy makers to include the deployment of geothermal in local, regional and national policies. In addition, it will demonstrate the affordability of geothermal heating and cooling uses for productive processes, with existing examples and demonstration of the benefits of using the GEOSYN technology in industry increasing trust. The GEOSYN consortium consists of 10 organisations from 5 European countries (Italy, Denmark, France, Norway, Ukraine) representing different levels of geothermal maturity and with extensive experience in the sector, both from the technological and social sciences point of view.

The GEOFLEXheat project aims to revolutionize the European geothermal energy sector by introducing an innovative suite of technologies to enhance the extraction, efficiency and application of geothermal heat across diverse industrial sectors. This initiative is driven by a consortium that synergizes leading research institutions, SMEs, and industry experts to tackle the challenges of scalability, integration, and social acceptance associated with geothermal systems. At the core of project lies the development of a Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger coupled with an advanced Scaling Reactor to improve heat recovery from geothermal brine while simultaneously providing valuable mineral byproducts. This is complemented by a novel High-Temperature Heat Pump that delivers cost-effective and high-temperature heat, crucial for a wide range of industrial processes and beyond. The project will also deliver a state-of-the-art Control Strategy and Digital Twin, optimizing system performance and enabling real-time management of geothermal plants. Through comprehensive simulation and modelling, the project will showcase the full potential of geothermal energy to provide stable, affordable, and sustainable heat supply. The ambitious goals include fostering Europe's global leadership in renewable technologies, ensuring reliable energy supply for industries and households, and accelerating the integration of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage with geothermal systems. To ensure the project's outcomes have a lasting impact, GEOFLEXheat will execute robust commercialization strategy, including the establishment of a spin-off company, extensive environmental and economic assessments, and the creation of a Social Acceptance Guide to facilitate policy influence and community engagement. Embracing a future where geothermal energy is a cornerstone of Europe's renewable energy mix, GEOFLEXheat is poised to become a catalyst for energy sustainability, economic growth and environmental stewardship.

The advantages of using geothermal for power production and H&C are little known. Recently, deep geothermal energy production in some regions is confronted with a negative perception, and a special attention from some decision-makers, in terms of environmental performance, which could seriously hamper its market uptake. Media reports focus more on disadvantages than advantages. As a result, decision makers and potential investors have concerns about possible environmental impacts and risks involved in implementing geothermal projects, and social resistance often results in practical obstacles - such as significant slowdowns - to the deployment of the deep geothermal resources. The first objective of the GEOENVI project is to make sure that deep geothermal energy can play its role in Europe’s future energy supply in a sustainable way. It aims to create a robust strategy to respond environmental concerns (by environmental concerns we mean both environmental impacts and risks): • by assessing the environmental impacts and risks of geothermal projects operational or in development in Europe, and • by providing a robust framework to propose recommendations on environmental regulations to the decision-makers, an adapted methodology for assessing environment impact to the project developers, and finally • by communicating properly on environmental concerns with the general public. Secondly, GEOENVI aims at engaging with both decision-makers and geothermal market actors, to have the recommendations on regulations adopted and to see the LCA methodology implemented by geothermal stakeholders. The engagement with stakeholders includes to share knowledge by adopting an open and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) data approach.