Functions, Structure and Offers of the BVG

Since 1991, the German Geothermal Association (BVG) has been committed, together with its members from industry, science, planning, and the energy supply sector, to the full spectrum of geothermal technologies: from shallow to deep geothermal energy, from the provision of heating and cooling to power generation.

Tasks

The following are the main tasks of the BVG:

• Informing the public about the benefits and diverse applications of geothermal energy,
• Engaging in dialogue with political decision-makers to further improve legal and administrative frameworks,
• Contributing to the enhancement of regulatory and administrative conditions on a national-, European- and international level,
• Supporting technological developments as well as research and development activities.

Structure

The association is managed on a voluntary basis by a four-member Executive Board.

The General Assembly elects and discharges the Board. It also votes on amendments to the statutes and other key decisions. The General Assembly takes place once a year as part of the Geothermal Congress.

Three specialist committees discuss current political and technical issues and support the offices with their input:

• Committee for Deep Geothermal Energy
• Committee for Shallow Geothermal Energy
• Committee for Science and Education

In addition, the Young Geothermal Committee brings together students and early-career researchers.

The German Geothermal Association is also a member of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), the International Geothermal Association (IGA), and the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE).

Offers

Together with the volunteer members of its committees, the Berlin office of the BVG organizes events and publishes a range of informational materials.

• The professional journal Geothermische Energie features in-depth reports on project developments, research results, as well as literature and event announcements.
• On its website www.geothermie.de, the association provides not only current news but also extensive background information and contacts for the industry, the interested public, and media representatives. This makes the website a central information platform for geothermal energy.
• In addition to workshops on current topics, the BVG organizes the central annual event of the German geothermal sector every autumn: the multi-day Geothermal Congress (DGK), which offers specialist forums and workshops on numerous topics related to both deep and shallow geothermal energy.

The German Geothermal Congress

Every year in autumn, the German Geothermal Association (BVG) is hosting one of the most important events of the branch. The multi-day event, “Der Geothermiekongress” (DGK), offers a great variety of workshops and forums about deep and shallow geothermal energy. Visitors have the exclusive chance to create business contacts and exchange their knowledge with experts from the industry, economy and politics. Companies and scientific institutions present their latest developments and research results.
More information can be found here.

Geothermal energy needs to be represented to ensure its important role in the future energy mix; BVG’s promotional efforts and activities meet the succeeding requirements.

Our members have the following advantages:

• Automatic membership of International Geothermal Association (IGA), as well as the European Regional Branch of the IGA including all membership services.
• Representation in the German Renewable Energy Federation BEE (Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energie e.V.) and the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC).
• Support by our international coordinator in gaining access to international markets
• Discounts for several events, e.g. the annual Geothermal Congress DGK
• Access to the company directory and exclusive advertisement on www.geothermie.de
• Free issues of 2-3 editions of “Geothermische Energie” a year.

For further information about benefits, activities, or about the application form please contact us via email or phone.

Contact

Bundesverband Geothermie (German Geothermal Association)
Albrechtstrasse 22
10117 Berlin
Germany
+49.(0)30 200 954 950
+49.(0)30 200 954 959
info@geothermie.de