In cooperation with MOPE, GeoZS organised a workshop on upgrading the Guidelines for Drilling in Shallow Geothermal Applications, where four speakers presented their experiences. Götzl Gregor from EVN Vienna presented the practice of applying the standards and guidelines in Austria, Joerg Prestor (GeoZS) and Marko Matkovič (IJS) presented a brand new proposal for guidelines for the implementation of on-farm cold storage using shallow geothermal energy, which is the main result of the ARIS-MKGP CRP project. GeoCOOL FOOD, and Nina Rman presented a proposal to build on the existing guidelines.

Participants agreed that it makes sense to start distinguishing between smaller and larger shallow geothermal systems and to simplify the procedures for the former accordingly. In areas with the highest demand for geoprobe technology, maps of available capacity will need to be produced on the basis of targeted surveys, thereby facilitating access to data on shallow geothermal potential, reducing geological risk and facilitating the sizing of smaller systems.