GSEU Day 2023

GSEU Day took place in Brussels on 19 October 2023. Its purpose was to engage with our valued external stakeholders following a year of project implementation, and to drive forward our mission: a sustainable Geological Service for Europe. More than 100 people from all over Europe gathered to hear great presentations and discussions on all GSEU's areas of expertise: Raw Materials, GeoEnergy Resources, Groundwater Resources, Coastal Vulnerability & Windfarms and Geological Framework Setup, all connected and accessible through the European Geological Data Infrastructure.

Programme

1 – A Geological Service for Europe

Plan of the Day & 1st Year in 4 Words (PDF) - Francesco Pizzocolo (TNO, Geological Survey of Netherlands - GSEU)

The need for a Geological Service for Europe - Julie Hollis, Secretary General of EuroGeoSurveys, emphasised in her introduction that the involvement of external stakeholders in our ambition to establish a Geological Service for Europe - a pan-European expert network based on harmonised data, information and knowledge about Europe’s subsurface - is crucial to build strong bridges between the geoscience and policy makers to support the achievement of a green transition and a sustainable future for Europe. Collaboration beyond the geoscientific community with EU institutions and society can solve complex environmental and societal challenges that do not stop at national borders. To address problems on a continental scale, we also need to act on a continental scale, i.e. we need data on the energy, mineral and water resources that drive our society across Europe. The Earth is an interconnected system of processes, and geological knowledge and information helps to understand and effectively translate into sound, science-based policies that enable a net-zero future.

Presentations from GSEU's areas of expertise followed. Critical Raw Materials, GeoEnergy Resources, Groundwater Resources, Coastal Vulnerability & Windfarms and Geological Framework Setup were described by representatives of the GSEU team, with a focus on the products and services that will be developed under the project to support science-based policies.

Critical Raw Materials (PDF) - Guillaume Bertrand (BRGM - French Geological Survey)

GeoEnergy Resources (PDF) - Paula Canteli (IGME – The Geological and Mining Institute of Spain)

Groundwater Resources (PDF) - Peter van der Keur (GEUS – The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland)

Coastal Vulnerability & Windfarms (PDF) - Sytze van Heteren (TNO, Geological Survey of Netherlands)

Geological Framework Setup (PDF) - Kris Piessens (GSB – Geological Survey of Belgium)

 

2 – Building a Knowledge Platform

Session Introduction - Stephan Gruijters (TNO, Geological Survey of Netherlands-GSEU) In the session on Building a Knowledge Platform the spotlight was on the European Geological Data Infrastructure – EGDI and the future steps we are about to undertake within the GSEU project. The existing EGDI system will be taken to a new level through the transformation of the current data infrastructure into a knowledge infrastructure. Today, EGDI provides access to data and datasets created in numerous projects from the last 15 years. It is essential to ensure that the foundation of the system is adequate (complete, trusted and usable data) and maintained (up-to-date data). As part of the planned transformation, these data and data sets will be interpreted, and knowledge in the form of added-value products will be added in order that end users can use it in their workflow and decision-making process. The European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI) (PDF) - Matt Harrison (BRGM – French Geological Survey) Creating a Successful Spatial Data Platform (PDF) - Sallie Payne Snell (EuroGeographics) Strategic Evaluation of Carbon Storage Potential (PDF) - Paul D. Allan (Quorum software) Panel Discussion with Gerardo Herrera (DG GROW – The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs), Sallie Payne Snell (EuroGeographics), Helen Glaves (EGU – European Geosciences Union), Paul D. Allan (Quorum), Jasna Šinigoj (GeoZS – The Geological Survey of Slovenia)

Summary of the Panel Discussion:

  • A critical mass of users (researchers, students, policy makers/decision makers, commercial users) is vital for the sustainability of EGDI and the GSEU as a whole. (Helen Glaves, EGU – European Geosciences Union)
  • Instead of always thinking that experts and associations have to provide the data and invest in the infrastructure, we can work in partnership with users so that they can maintain it while we continue to provide expert support. We need to be able to drive the integration and harmonisation of data and enable the usability of data across borders. (Sallie Payne Snell, EuroGeographics)
  • We must move to the level of usability of the data collected in numerous projects and make the expert knowledge available. Therefore, the Critical Raw Materials Act obliges EU member states to provide data on critical and strategic mineral resources and to implement national exploration programmes. It is crucial for policy makers to have access to information from all 27 EU countries. Information (data, maps, etc.) must be harmonised, usable and simplified for a specific group of users. Gerardo Herrera (DG GROW – The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)
  • It is the responsibility of national geological survey organisations to provide high quality, trusted and up-to-date data into the system and to establish quality control procedures. (Jasna Šinigoj, GeoZS – The Geological Survey of Slovenia)
  • Establishing a legal framework for data sharing is almost mandatory, otherwise private sector data providers will claim ownership of their data. (Paul D. Allan, Quorum)

 

Keynote: Technologies for Net Zero Emissions

Technologies for Net Zero Emissions (PDF) - Nils A. Røkke (EERA – European Energy Research Alliance)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 – Building a Geological Framework for Integrated Subsurface Management

Session Introduction - Julie Hollis (EuroGeoSurveys)

The session entitled Building a Geological Framework for Integrated Subsurface Management addressed the importance of geological mapping for effective communication and better understanding of the surface and particularly the subsurface hidden beneath our feet. For the development of harmonised geological maps and models, the use of common data models, standards and vocabularies is essential to address pan-European and cross-border subsurface management challenges.

A New Approach for Harmonized Maps (PDF) - Ralph Watzel (BRG – Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources)

The Importance of 3D & 4D Geomodelling for National Policies (PDF) - Martin Peersmann (BRO – National Key Registry of the Subsurface)

Panel Discussion with Martin Persmann (BRO – National Key Registry of the Subsurface), Michiel van der Meulen (TNO, Geological Survey of Netherlands), Ralph Watzel (BRG – Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources), Hans Georg Krenmayr (GeoSphere) and Kristine Asch (BRG – Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources)

Summary of the Panel Discussion: The panel discussion emphasised the importance of collaboration across national and regional political boundaries to better understand the subsurface and manage its use. Essentially, all European countries are very small compared to the relevant geological structures (basins, mountain systems). The discussion highlighted the problem of non-existent geological data and the need to acquire new data in the field and in laboratories. In response, the importance of a national legislative framework for geological data management was mentioned as a mechanism to acquire data from other data providers.

 

4 – Coastal Vulnerability & Offshore Windfarm Siting for Sustainable Development

Session Introduction - Sytze van Heteren (TNO, Geological Survey of Netherlands)

The Coastal Vulnerability & Offshore Windfarm Siting for Sustainable Development session touched on two important application areas of coastal marine geology, namely coastal zone management and the installation of offshore wind farms. Onshore-offshore geological maps/models/modules will be developed to support informed decisions on coastal zone management and protection and offshore wind energy installations risk mitigation.

The Future of Coastal Zones (PDF) - Niki Evelpidou (UOA)

Geological Challenges of Offshore Windfarms - David Garcia Moreno (DEME)

Panel Discussion with Zoi Konstantinou (DG MARE – Directorate-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries), Gilles Lericolais (EMB – European Marine Board), Niki Evelpidou (UOA), David Garcia Moreno (DEME) and Eleftheria Poyiadji (HSGME – Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration)

Summary of the Panel Discussion:

  • Geological expertise is invaluable in the construction of offshore wind farms, but existing marine geology data is not recognised and hardly used in practise, therefore access to data needs to be advertised in the offshore windfarm development community. (David Garcia Moreno, DEME)
  • The geologists need to communicate what is important, what we are doing and what solutions we can bring to the society. (Niki Evelpidou, UOA)
  • EMODNet sea-floor data are used in planning, but their resolution should be improved. (Gilles Lericolais, EMB – European Marine Board)
  • It is the duty of geologists to alert policy makers that in the urban development geological expertise is vital to avoid damage caused by geohazards. (Eleftheria Poyiadji, HSGME – Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration)
  • Policy makers don’t care about data, they care about results (benefits vs. costs). In the marine science community, a more integrated approach is required to find the best solutions. The narrative towards policymakers has to be adapted to their specific needs and explain how they are going to benefit. (Zoi Konstantinou, DG MARE – Directorate-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries)

 

5 – Mapping and Managing Sustainable GeoEnergy Capacities in Europe

Session Introduction - Glen Burridge (EFG – European Federation of Geologists)

The main objectives of GSEU in the field of GeoEnergy resources are to provide pan-European inventories, characterisations and knowledge of geothermal energy resources, underground capacities for CO2 sequestration and temporary storage of sustainable energy carriers.

International Cooperation and Strategic Development (PDF) - Isabella Nardini (Fraunhofer IEG – Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems IEG)

UNFC Behind the Raw Materials (PDF) - Slavko Šolar (UNECE – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe)

Panel Discussion with Isabella Nardini (Fraunhofer IEG – Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems IEG), Nils A. Røkke (EERA – European Energy Research Alliance), Slavko Šolar (UNECE – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe), Paula Canteli (IGME – The Geological and Mining Institute of Spain) and Serge van Gessel (TNO, Geological Survey of Netherlands)

Summary of the Panel Discussion:

  • The regulatory framework is crucial to embed geological information needed to assess and deploy GeoEnergy technologies. In addition to increasing the level of technological readiness, we need to ensure that societal readiness is also developed. In this process, it is necessary to talk to stakeholders about subsurface hazards, e.g., seismic problems and the impact on drinking water. (Serge van Gessel, TNO, Geological Survey of Netherlands)
  • The EU Net-zero Industry Act, soon to be enforced, will be a major step towards implementing CO2 storage. Geoscientists are able to explain technologies and potential impacts to the public, who listen to us because we have no commercial interest in projects. (Paula Canteli, IGME – The Geological and Mining Institute of Spain)
  • In the field of geothermal energy, we need to work on transversal topics such as extraction of raw materials from geothermal brines, heat storage and carbon capture and storage. The geothermal community needs to find a better way to communicate the use of geothermal energy to both policy makers and the public. (Isabella Nardini, Frauhofen IEG – Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems IEG)

 

6 – Harnessing CRMs for Sustainable Resource Management in Europe

Session Introduction - Francesco Pizzocolo (TNO, Geological Survey of Netherlands - GSEU)

The session entitled Harnessing CRMs for Sustainable Resource Management in Europe focused on building a secure and reliable supply chain for critical raw materials to support the green transition of European industry and society at large. The Critical Raw Materials Act recognises the crucial role of subsurface resources, especially critical raw materials. The main objective of GSEU in the field of Raw Materials is to re-evaluate European resources of primary critical raw materials in onshore and offshore fields and to evaluate mining waste resources, with a focus on critical raw materials.

The Race to Secure Critical Minerals (PDF) - Ellie Gomes-Callus (BloombergNEF)

EC’s Raw Materials Information System – needs and interactions on CRM knowledge (PDF) - David Pennington (JRC - the European Commission's Joint Research Centre)

Panel Discussion with Robert Tomas (DG GROW – The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs), Ellie Gomes-Callus (BloombergNEF), Eberhard Falck (IntRaw), David Pennington (JRC - the European Commission's Joint Research Centre), Guillaume Bertrand (BRGM - French Geological Survey), Koen Verbruggen (GSI – Geological Survey Ireland)

Summary of the Panel Discussion:

  • EuroGeoSurveys and Member States are encouraged to cooperate with DG GROW – The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs – to provide data to fill the gaps and avoid duplication. The CRM Act places a strong emphasis on sustainability, environmental and social acceptance of mining and related industrial activities. Only projects that meet the specified requirements and offer beneficial arrangements will be labelled as strategic projects. We hope that the geological community will resume exploration activities in European countries, but we need to convince society that we can do this in a green, sustainable way. (Robert Tomas, DG GROW – The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)
  • With the CRM Act and other regulations on batteries and semiconductors, the EU wants to secure the entire value chain and not just certain parts of it. (David Pennington, JRC – the European Commission's Joint Research Centre),
  • The geological community can support the implementation of the CRM Act, but we can only really support the first part of it – exploration; there is much more to do on the policy and planning side. (Koen Verbruggen, GSI – Geological Survey Ireland)
  • The knowledge, tools and means to accelerate critical mineral production in Europe are in place, but the efficiency of processes needs to be significantly improved. In Canada they managed to reduce the timeline by 40%, just by communicating and working together to remove the obstacles in the processes. (Ellie Gomes-Callus, BloombergNEF)

 

7 – Safeguarding & Managing Europe's Groundwater Resources for Sustainable Use

Session Introduction (PDF) - Klaus Hinsby (GEUS – The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland)

The last session of GSEU Day was devoted to Safeguarding & Managing Europe's Groundwater Resources for Sustainable Use. In the GSEU project we are tackling integrated, efficient and sustainable use and protection of European groundwater resources, including the assessment of temporary storage capacities from the perspective of groundwater quantity and quality. We know there are examples of some serious water related issues all over Europe. According to the recent update on the state of the planetary boundaries the Earth is currently outside of safe operating space for humanity in six out of nine boundaries, most recently including freshwater change.

KARMA for GSEU (PDF) - Marco Petitta (Sapienza University of Rome)

Groundwater safety and security paradox – Policy and research considerations - Philippe Quevauviller (DG HOME – Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs)

Panel Discussion with Marco Petitta (Sapienza University of Rome), Philippe Quevauviller (DG HOME – Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs), Peter van der Keur (GEUS – The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland), Klaus Hinsby (GEUS – The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland) and Kris Piessens (GSB-RBINS – The Geological Survey of Belgium, department of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences)

Summary of the Panel Discussion:

 

Closing Remarks

Closing Remarks - Julie Hollis (EuroGeoSurveys)

A sustainable Geological Service for Europe requires the technical scientific base – data, information and knowledge – as well as an expert network, which is competent to close the gaps between national data and knowledge to create harmonised data, information and knowledge on a pan-European scale. We have the technical scientific base and expert network - the GSEU project enables us to create the harmonised data, information and knowledge required to support national and pan-European policy, enable the energy transition and provide the understanding needed to implement the EU Green Deal. We need to focus our communication on why geological data, information and knowledge are needed to support and implement good policy. We need to extend our network to other data providers on the one hand and to our users and the policy makers on the other.

To achieve all this, cooperation is key, cooperation within and beyond our network.