Side Events

1.) GEOTHERMICA Initiative

The GEOTHERMICA Initiative Low-Temperature Geothermal Workshop in Offenburg will bring together leading experts, policymakers, and project partners to explore national strategies, regional opportunities, and flagship projects for low-temperature geothermal in district heating across Europe.

Participation in this workshop is by invitation only.

2.) CRM-geothermal

The CRM-geothermal Final Conference will take place on 25 February 2026, from 13:00 to 17:00 CET, in the EDEKA-Arena in Offenburg. 
The final conference of the EU-funded project CRM-geothermal will showcase the main findings of the project, with presentations by consortium partners and invited experts. The programme is structured into three thematic sessions:

• Session 1: Content, origin, and mobility of Critical Raw Materials (CRM) in geothermal fluids across different geological settings
• Session 2: Extraction methods for CRM from geothermal fluids
• Session 3: Economic, social, and governance aspects of CRM co-production
   

The CRM-geothermal project applies a holistic approach to evaluating and extracting Critical Raw Materials (CRM) from geothermal fluids in Europe and East Africa. Its work bridges geoscience, technology, and sustainability to strengthen Europe’s raw materials independence.

Key project achievements include:

1. Assessment of CRM potential: A comprehensive database and a Fluid Atlas were developed to visualise the distribution of critical raw materials in geothermal fluids.

2. Understanding geological processes: The origin and mobilisation of CRMs were studied across diverse geological settings – such as crystalline fractured rocks and deep sedimentary basins with high-salinity fluids – to assess their occurrence and long-term extraction potential.

3. Innovative extraction technologies: New methods were developed for extracting CRMs such as lithium, strontium, and helium from different types of geothermal fluids.

4. Socio-economic and environmental assessment: The project evaluated economic, social, and environmental dimensions of CRM co-production.

5. Demonstration of feasibility: The co-extraction of CRMs was successfully demonstrated at a pilot site in Cornwall (UK).
Participants from industry, research, and policy are warmly invited to attend this final event and engage in discussions on the future of CRM recovery from geothermal systems.

Participation in this Side Event is subject to prior registration via this link.

3.) Sitzung des BWP Ressorts Erdwärme

Die Sitzung des BWP Ressorts Erdwärme findet am 25. Februar von 14:00 bis 17:00 Uhr im Konferenzraum 3 statt.

Das Ressort Erdwärme ist ein Gremium des Bundesverbandes Wärmepumpe (BWP) e.V. Im Fokus der Sitzung stehen aktuelle politische Entwicklungen und die Marktentwicklung im Bereich der Wärmepumpe und der oberflächennahen Geothermie. Die Ressortsitzung richtet sich an Mitgliedsunternehmen des BWP insbesondere an Bohrunternehmen, Zulieferer der Erdwärmebranche, Planungs- und Ingenieurbüros sowie weitere Fachakteure mit Bezug zur oberflächennahen Geothermie.

Ziel der Arbeit im Ressort Erdwärme ist es, Orientierung zu geben, den fachlichen Austausch zu fördern und Schwerpunkte für die politische Arbeit des BWP im Bereich Erdwärme zu setzen.

Die Teilnehme ist Mitgliedern des BWP vorbehalten. Die Einladung zur Sitzung erfolgt im Januar.

4.) Seequent

Seequent, in partnership with the International Geothermal Association, invites you to a free, in person, day workshop at GeoTHERM 2026 in Offenburg. From Concept to Production takes place on 25 February 2026, 09:00 to 17:00 CET, at Messe Offenburg Ortenau.

This workshop is designed for the GeoTHERM audience, with examples and discussion spanning deep and shallow geothermal, including low and medium enthalpy resources, heating and direct use, and the practical choices that sit between exploration and early development. It is well suited to geoscientists, geothermal engineers, project developers, consultants, and drilling teams who want a clear, integrated workflow they can apply and communicate.

We begin with a short Oasis montaj demonstration to show how early stage geoscience data and interpretations can be prepared, reviewed, and passed into a 3D modelling environment. Most of the day is then guided, hands on work in Leapfrog Energy, where participants will import and organise datasets, build lithology and alteration models, incorporate structural interpretations, and combine everything into a coherent conceptual model that supports drilling and development decisions.

In the afternoon we move into Volsung to show a streamlined Leapfrog to Volsung handover and the essentials of early reservoir simulation. You will see boundary conditions and surface networks set up, then run rapid scenario testing to understand sensitivities and compare outcomes. We close with a practical Megawatts Challenge and finish with networking drinks.

Short case studies will be shared throughout, showing how teams use these tools on projects. You will leave with a clearer view of how exploration inputs, 3D modelling, and simulation connect, and which assumptions matter most. The workshop is led by Oliver Ward and Dr Esteban Gómez Díaz, supported by the Seequent geothermal team. Places are capped to keep the session interactive, so registration is required via the GeoTHERM workshop listing.

Please register here.