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New Horizon Europe project to demonstrate safe and efficient Enhanced Geothermal Systems for a clean energy future
June 2026 — A new Horizon Europe project, UPLIFT, has officially started, bringing together leading European research institutions, industry partners, and innovation experts to advance the next generation of deep geothermal energy technologies.
UPLIFT partners met in Potsdam, Germany, on 8 and 9 June 2026 for the project’s kick-off meeting.
Running from May 2026 to April 2030, UPLIFT is a four-year Innovation Action that aims to demonstrate how Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) can be deployed safely, efficiently, and with strong societal acceptance across Europe. The project will carry out a field-scale demonstration at the RINGEN research site in Litoměřice, Czechia, one of Europe’s leading geothermal research infrastructures.
Deep geothermal energy represents one of Europe’s largest untapped renewable energy resources. While recent technological breakthroughs in the United States have demonstrated the potential of extracting heat from hot, low-permeability rocks, transferring these approaches to Europe requires solutions adapted to European geological conditions, regulatory frameworks, and societal expectations.
UPLIFT will address this challenge by developing and validating innovative technologies and operational approaches designed to improve geothermal reservoir productivity while reducing environmental and seismic risks. The project will focus on four key questions:
- How can geothermal well productivity be improved across different geological settings?
- How can injection-induced seismicity be mitigated, particularly in populated areas?
- How can multi-stage stimulation treatments be performed more cost-effectively?
- How can public trust and social acceptance of EGS technologies be strengthened?
To answer these questions, the consortium will combine advanced drilling technologies, adaptive hydraulic stimulation methods, innovative reservoir engineering approaches, high-resolution seismic monitoring, and digital twin technologies. A central innovation of the project is the development of an adaptive stimulation approach that continuously adjusts injection parameters based on real-time seismic monitoring, helping maximise reservoir performance while maintaining safety.
The project pursues three strategic objectives: improving reservoir access through advanced drilling technologies, validating safe productivity enhancement methods with controlled seismic risk, and demonstrating the commercial and social viability of EGS technologies in Europe.
UPLIFT brings together eight partners from five countries, representing research organisations, universities, SMEs, and a European professional association. The project is coordinated by the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (Germany) and includes Charles University (Czechia), Geo-Energie Suisse AG (Switzerland), Fraunhofer IEG (Germany), Solexperts AG (Switzerland), Fraunhofer-Chalmers Centre (Sweden), the European Federation of Geologists (Belgium), and ETH Zürich (Switzerland).
By integrating technological innovation with environmental protection, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, UPLIFT aims to establish new pathways for the large-scale deployment of deep geothermal energy in Europe. The project’s outcomes are expected to contribute to Europe’s energy transition by expanding access to reliable renewable heat and electricity while supporting energy security and climate neutrality objectives.
About UPLIFT
UPLIFT is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101269511. The project runs from May 2026 to April 2030 and seeks to demonstrate safe, cost-effective, and socially acceptable multi-stage Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) for Europe.