Connecting geothermal energy research and policy – an example from Ireland

In recent years there is a growing focus, at both national and international levels, on increasing the impact of research and evidence for policy. For example, Ireland’s Civil Service Renewal 2030 Strategy includes 'Evidence-Informed Policy and Services' as one of three strategic themes. However, connecting researchers, research outputs and policy makers is not trivial. The lack of shared languages, timelines and priorities can result in missed opportunities, or worse, poorly informed policy.

There have been efforts by research funding agencies to focus research programmes on policy related topics or specify required outputs in funding call terms and conditions. However, this often yields impractical project outputs for policy makers, or results that are not effectively communicated to the relevant users. It can also deter researchers from some funding calls. 

Since 2015 Geological Survey Ireland has been developing and implementing a geothermal research programme to support the transition to renewable energy.  This has included shaping and funding research projects through national schemes and international co-funding programmes. Importantly, the outputs of these research projects have been used by Geological Survey Ireland to directly support the development of a new national geothermal energy framework, including government policy, developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Ireland’s policy statement for geothermal energy development was published by the Irish Government in July 2023.  This aims to promote the sustainable development of Ireland's geothermal resources in support of Ireland's climate action commitments by setting out;

• the preferred approach to regulation, and
• the scope of a strategy to promote the sustainable development of Ireland's geothermal resources to decarbonise the heating and cooling of buildings and for industrial uses and power generation.

The ongoing development of the regulations, further policy and the wider geothermal energy sector will require continued, bespoke research outputs and collaboration between academia, policy makers and expert national organisations and agencies.  This presentation will provide a case study for the type of collaborative work required to effecively integrate research into national policy.