New Cross-Border GeoBuilding project kicks off to boost clean, affordable heating and cooling

A new international initiative, GeoBuilding, was officially launched on 1 September 2025 to help communities in Hungary and Croatia harness the power of geothermal energy for cleaner, more affordable, and sustainable heating and cooling.

Geothermal energy – the natural heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface – is one of the cleanest, most reliable, and safest ways to heat and cool buildings. Unlike solar or wind energy, it is available all year round, day and night, and is unaffected by weather conditions. This makes it an important tool for the European Union’s 2030 low-carbon heating and cooling goals and for reaching the 2050 net-zero emissions target.

However, to make the most of geothermal energy, buildings need to be energy-efficient first. Good insulation and energy refurbishment are key, as geothermal systems operate at lower temperatures than traditional gas heating. By combining building renovation with geothermal energy, local communities can save energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.

A Practical Approach for Local Communities

The GeoBuilding project focuses on affordable, shallow-layer geothermal technologies – up to 150 metres deep – that do not require the high costs of deep drilling. These systems can be installed using heat pumps that extract heat either from the shallow ground layers or from geothermal waste heat that is already available.

The project will deliver technical documentation for 20 buildings in the border region and prepare detailed plans for installing geothermal heat pump systems in 8 public buildings in Hungary and 8 in Croatia.
Additionally, it will conduct feasibility studies for 2 locations in each country to evaluate the costs and expected savings of geothermal energy investments.

To demonstrate the benefits in action, three pilot sites – one in Hungary and two in Croatia – will showcase working geothermal heating and cooling systems. These demonstration sites will help local municipalities, businesses, and citizens understand how the systems work and what is needed for successful implementation.

AI-based knowledge support

GeoBuilding recognises that many building owners and operators lack experience in combining energy renovation with geothermal solutions. To bridge this gap, the project will create a virtual One-Stop-Shop (vOSS) – an AI-powered online platform that provides easy-to-understand information, simple diagnostics, and recommendations for anyone interested in exploring geothermal energy for their buildings.

In addition, the project will organise workshops for municipalities, condominium managers, youth groups, and the wider public, ensuring that knowledge is widely shared across the region.

A Step Towards a Greener Future

“GeoBuilding is about more than just new technology – it’s about empowering local communities to take action for a cleaner, greener future,” said the project’s coordinators. “By focusing on practical, affordable solutions and giving people the knowledge they need, we can make geothermal energy a key part of the transition to low-carbon heating and cooling.”

The project marks an important step in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and making sustainable energy solutions accessible in regions with limited financial resources. For more information about GeoBuilding and upcoming events, please visit our website!