The GeoTHERM Expo & Congress, Europe’s largest trade Fair with Congress dedicated to geothermal energy, took place on 25–26 February 2026 in Offenburg, Germany, bringing together thousands of professionals from across the geothermal and renewable energy sectors.
With around 9,000 attendees from across Europe and beyond, the event provided a vibrant platform for exchanging knowledge, exploring technological innovations, and fostering collaborations within the geothermal community. Organized by Messe Offenburg-Ortenau GmbH, the fair combines a large industry exhibition with an international congress programme focusing on the future of geothermal energy.
Promoting Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage
The INTERSTORES project was represented at the event by Christoph Bott from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). While no formal presentation was delivered, the event served as an important opportunity to promote the project and engage with the geothermal community through networking and direct outreach.
INTERSTORES was introduced to participants through project leaflets and personal discussions, reaching an audience of researchers, industry professionals, policy representatives, and members of the broader geothermal ecosystem.
Building Connections in the Geothermal Community
The fair attracted a diverse audience, including representatives from research institutions, creative industries, civil society, public authorities, and media, highlighting the growing cross-sector interest in geothermal and subsurface energy solutions.
For the INTERSTORES project, participation in GeoTHERM provided an excellent opportunity to discuss shallow geothermal solutions, including concepts such as shallow geothermal energy and geothermal trenches relevant to the project’s work on thermal energy storage systems. The discussions generated positive feedback and potential collaboration opportunities, demonstrating strong interest in the technologies and approaches explored within the project.
Strengthening Visibility and Collaboration
Participation in international events such as GeoTHERM plays an important role in strengthening the visibility of INTERSTORES and connecting the project with relevant stakeholders across Europe. By engaging with researchers, industry representatives, and policy actors, the project continues to support the exchange of knowledge and accelerate the development of cost- and environmentally efficient seasonal thermal energy storage solutions.
As INTERSTORES progresses, such events remain key opportunities to share results, build partnerships, and contribute to the broader transition toward sustainable and resilient energy systems.
