Danube GeoHeCo "Train the Trainer" Workshop strengthens practical skills of Project Partners

Photo by RDA Backa

As part of the Danube GeoHeCo project, a dedicated "Train the Trainer" workshop was held on 13^th of June in Eisenstadt (Austria), to enhance the technical and strategic capacity of project partners. The workshop provided hands-on training in the use of the ITtool software for planning and analyzing shallow geothermal systems, while also creating space for discussion on transnational cooperation and challenges in awareness-raising for geothermal energy.

The workshop began with a presentation on the progress of the Transnational Action Plan (TAP). The focus was on the awareness-raising working group, where participants discussed key challenges and proposed potential solutions. This session was led by the representatives of PPs - CROST Nonprofit Ltd., Hungary and LEA Pomurje, Slovenia.

The representatives of UNIZG-RGNF introduced the key input parameters for the IT tool, including thermogeological data, borehole heat exchanger (BHE) geometry, rheological characteristics, thermal response testing (TRT), and heating/cooling load data. This was followed by a session where the structure and functionality of the IT tool, its Python-based code, and the logic behind its modeling capabilities were explained. Moreover, the participants engaged in a hands-on session, working directly on real-world examples involving single and multiple borehole systems and conducting sensitivity analyses. The session was facilitated by UNIZG-RGNF.

The WS incorporated practical work on pilot site projects for each partner, with guidance from UNIZG-RGNF experts. This session allowed each participant to apply the IT tool in the context of their local project conditions.

The workshop successfully achieved its aim of transferring practical knowledge and strengthening partner capacity in the field of shallow geothermal systems. Through interactive sessions and collaborative learning, project teams gained the tools and confidence needed to apply geothermal modeling in real-life scenarios.

The "Train the Trainer" event directly contributes to the overall objectives of the Danube GeoHeCo project, fostering regional cooperation and supporting the transition toward sustainable energy solutions in the Danube Region.