Description  

BACKGROUND
The radioactive decay that feeds the flow of heat from Earth's interior to the surface is, from the perspective of the longevity of mankind, an infinite source of energy, making our planet, alongside with the Sun, a very effective source in the long run. This is in line with the World Energy Assessment published by the United Nations in 2000, where it was underlined that geothermal energy has twice the potential of all other renewables combined.
However, and despite the fact that geothermal energy is reliable, weather-independent and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Earth is not perceived by a large majority of the population as a source of energy. There are locations where geothermal plays a core role in the energy supply system (best examples came from Iceland, but there are also inspiring examples from developing countries, from El Salvador or Kenya to Indonesia), but technological difficulties and investment costs have been deterring the use of geothermal energy.
No renewable energy source is strong enough to win over and replace conventional energy sources. Building a superior strategic position to renewables (and especially to geothermal energy) requires an integrated approach, supported by technological leaps, instead of just incremental innovation. And we are on the dawn of key enablers that deserve a closer look, because they can boost the use of geothermal energy.

The island of Santorini is situated in the south Aegean volcanic arc, parallel to the Hellenic Trench subduction zone. The current physical activities make the island an ideal geological laboratory for scientific observations. An optional fieldtrip about the geology of Santorini will be organised on 17 May 2017.  

The 74th EFG Summer Council meeting will be held subsequently on 20 and 21 May (for EFG delegates only). 

We are pleased to invite you to register for this event. 
More information and registration: www.eurogeologists.eu/santorini-2017. 

Please note that the registration for the EFG/UNECE conference "International collaboration on raw materials" to be held in Brussels on 9 and 10 February 2017 is still open and that few places are still available.