Abstract. The 2017 Surtsey Underwater volcanic System for Thermophiles, Alteration
processes and INnovative concretes (SUSTAIN) drilling project at Surtsey
volcano, sponsored in part by the International Continental Scientific
Drilling Program (ICDP), provides precise observations of the hydrothermal,
geochemical, geomagnetic, and microbiological changes that have occurred in
basaltic tephra and minor intrusions since explosive and effusive eruptions
produced the oceanic island in 1963–1967. Two vertically cored boreholes, to
152 and 192 m below the surface, were drilled using filtered, UV-sterilized
seawater circulating fluid to minimize microbial contamination. These cores
parallel a 181 m core drilled in 1979. Introductory investigations indicate
changes in material properties and whole-rock compositions over the past
38 years. A Surtsey subsurface observatory installed to 181 m in one
vertical borehole holds incubation experiments that monitor in situ
mineralogical and microbial alteration processes at 25–124 ∘C. A
third cored borehole, inclined 55∘ in a 264∘ azimuthal
direction to 354 m measured depth, provides further insights into eruption
processes, including the presence of a diatreme that extends at least 100 m
into the seafloor beneath the Surtur crater. The SUSTAIN project provides the
first time-lapse drilling record into a very young oceanic basaltic volcano
over a range of temperatures, 25–141 ∘C from 1979 to 2017, and
subaerial and submarine hydrothermal fluid compositions. Rigorous procedures
undertaken during the drilling operation protected the sensitive environment
of the Surtsey Natural Preserve.
One of the major challenges regarding energy transition is to create active support towards renewable energy installations on a local level. The CROWDTHERMAL project presents practical approaches for involving local stakeholders in different measures in order to develop acceptable solutions. Based on technical evidence and data from concrete case studies, the project shows ways how community funding can increase social acceptance towards geothermal energy installations. The presented solutions are based on alternative financial schemes studies and risk mitigation analysis in geothermal projects.
Geothermal energy is a resource that has the potential for development in many countries around the world. Despite its versatility and economic viability, this resource faces numerous obstacles that hinder its deployment and capacity for achieving a similar market share as other renewable and clean energy sources. Both technical and non-technical barriers can be highly detrimental to the implementation of geothermal projects. A social license to operate (SLO) is a tool that can help the deployment of geothermal energy. As a new concept, SLO is little developed in the business literature but is still being adopted in many industries. Its main challenges reside in its context-dependence and the lack of clear frameworks to utilize it. This paper introduces, in a first known attempt, through a qualitative approach, a conceptual model of the social license to operate in the geothermal energy sector. For its development, three case studies, working group discussion and surveying were conducted in the framework of the H2020 funded CROWDTHERMAL project, which aims to empower EU citizens for direct participation in geothermal projects through crowdfunding. Findings of this paper also drew on existing general conceptual models of the SLO, and experiences from other sectors that have developed their own SLO models. The paper contributes to a more contextualized understanding of the social license within the geothermal sector and sheds the light on practices and challenges that influence the acquisition and maintenance of SLO in geothermal energy projects and initiatives.
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