The discussion, whose aim was to identify the challenges and opportunities that influence the development of business and the region itself, also focused on energy – in particular on the possibilities of using geothermal energy in the Czech Republic. Geothermal energy has enormous potential: it is capable of covering more than twice today’s global energy demand and is practically available anywhere on the planet.
Scientists have identified further sites within the region with suitable geological conditions for the use of hydrothermal energy, which has successfully supplied the inhabitants of Děčín for almost two decades. Such areas include, for example, the Roudnice region, Ústí nad Labem, Lovosice and Teplice. Geothermal energy can, however, be used even where nature has not created underground thermal aquifers – that is, rock formations highly saturated with water, heated to as much as 30 °C, which can be pumped directly to the surface and used for energy. Research into additional locations, their geological and geophysical assessment, the various technologies for capturing and utilising geothermal heat, and their integration into existing energy systems are the core activities of the RINGEN Centre, which is a unique facility not only in the Czech context.
At present, the largest research project being carried out there is SYNERGYS, which aims to help address the issues and challenges associated with the region’s energy transition and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels for heating. “In January we will launch the next stage of shallow geothermal drilling and a total of five hydrogeological monitoring wells, which will form part of a newly created test site. The deep wells, expected to reach depths of around 3.5 kilometres, will follow in 2027. The first public tenders for their preparation and implementation are currently under way,” informed the participants about the immediate plans Antonín Tym, manager of the RINGEN Centre. The participants then visited the geothermal laboratory of the Geophysical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, where they observed the measurement of the thermal properties of rocks originating from depths of up to 500 metres.
That this is an important topic for companies as well is illustrated by the words of the managing director of the Lovosice-based producer of cord fibres, Indorama Ventures. “We pay 100 euros per megawatt hour, while the owners of our company based in Bangkok pay only 25 euros. We face the difficult task of convincing them that it is necessary to invest in energy innovations,” said managing director Milan Grmela, who took part in the meeting alongside representatives of the Roudnice company MEVA, Holcim in Čížkovice, Indorama in Lovosice, Hennlich in Litoměřice, Mondi Štětí and many others, all of whom welcomed this type of discussion platform organised by the Confederation of Industry and Transport.
However, the discussion went far beyond energy, touching also on projects and problems – particularly in transport – that affect business. “The inhabitants of towns are at the same time employees of local companies, and issues such as transport services, social and healthcare infrastructure, or energy therefore concern everyone. When companies and towns talk directly to each other, solutions emerge that have a real impact and move business and life in the region forward,” underlined the purpose of the meeting Radka Bartíková, regional manager of the Confederation of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic for the Ústí nad Labem and Karlovy Vary regions.
