As part of the international Danube GeoHeCo project, a transnational conference was held on June 12, 2025, in Eisenstadt, Austria, organized by project partner Forschung Burgenland. The event gathered project and associated partners, experts, decision-makers, and practitioners from across the Danube Region. The aim was to exchange knowledge and experience on sustainable heating and cooling solutions, with a focus on shallow and deep geothermal systems.

Throughout the day-long program, the most advanced technological and strategic innovations contributing to the EU’s climate and energy goals were presented. The conference served as a platform to strengthen regional cooperation and joint energy transition planning.

The event was opened by Danijela Vrtarić from the Medjimurje Energy Agency (Croatia), who presented the progress of the Danube GeoHeCo project and its significance for the region. The opening speeches included: Matthieu Ballu, representative of the European Commission (DG ENER), who spoke online about EU policies for decarbonizing the heating and cooling sector; Annamária Nádor, coordinator of Priority Area 2 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), who highlighted the project’s contribution to achieving regional energy goals (online); and Johannes Schnitzer from Forschung Burgenland (Austria), who spoke about current geothermal energy initiatives in Austria.

Following the strategic introductions, presentations of concrete projects and practical examples from the region were delivered, while the afternoon session focused on technical solutions and local strategies developed through the Danube GeoHeCo project.

The team from the Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering of the University of Zagreb presented a decision-support tool for designing hybrid shallow geothermal systems, while representatives of project partner LEA Pomurje from Slovenia discussed the establishment of local “deployment desks” aimed at strengthening community involvement in planning geothermal solutions. Forschung Burgenland presented a digital platform and virtual marketplace designed to promote and expand the use of hybrid geothermal systems across the region.

A special session addressed the challenges related to working fluids and heat pumps, led by MMst. DI Harald Erös, President of the Austrian Association for Refrigeration Technology (ÖGKT).

The final part of the conference featured a panel discussion on overcoming barriers to wider adoption of shallow geothermal energy, where participants analyzed regulatory frameworks, practical challenges, and the need to enhance cross-border cooperation.

The conference successfully fulfilled its goal—strengthening intersectoral dialogue, advancing strategic cooperation, and reaffirming the Danube GeoHeCo partners’ commitment to a shared vision: transitioning toward sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon energy systems in the Danube Region.