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The aim of the Si-Geo-Electricity project was to increase the production of renewable electricity by utilising geothermal potential. The main result of the project was the implementation of an innovative geothermal pilot power plant with a capacity of 50 kW, based on a patented Slovenian technology that utilises geothermal energy from unproductive oil and gas wells with a geothermal gravity heat pipe.

The pilot project served as a demonstration of best practise and enabled an increase in geothermal energy utilisation. It was based on a completely new method of electricity production using a geothermal gravity heat pipe (Slovenian patent). The unique feature of this technology is the closed-loop refrigerant system, which only requires a single dry well for operation. As a result, the power plant operated without gas emissions that typically occur in conventional binary geothermal power plants due to the flow of water-based fluids, where both a pumping well and a reinjection well are required.

The pilot project was implemented in the municipality of Lendava and utilised an existing but abandoned Pg-8 well. The project contributed to strengthening knowledge and capacity in the field of geothermal energy utilisation both in Slovenia and on a broader European level and provided an interesting demonstration concept for donor countries. Furthermore, it served as a basis for existing and future partnerships linking research results with companies and organisations able to operationalise this knowledge to achieve decarbonisation goals.

The lead partner was Dravske elektrarne Maribor, d. o. o., while the project partners included Petrol Geo, proizvodnja ogljodikov, d. o. o., the University of Maribor and the Geological Survey of Slovenia.

The total eligible project expenditure were 900,210.98 EUR and the project grant 732,573.70 EUR.