A survey-based investigation of key challenges in advancing the implementation of energy geostructures

The urgent requirement to decarbonise the construction sector and reduce building-related fossil fuel consumption has positioned energy geostructures as a pivotal multipurpose solution for climate change mitigation. However, despite a growing body of scientific literature and knowledge-sharing initiatives, global adoption remains disproportionately low. This paper aims to identify which issues and barriers remain to be overcome in order to enable the widespread implementation and use of energy geostructures. Such aim is obtained through the analysis of the results of a survey sent to actors in the construction industry and academia. The survey, involving 155 international participants, reveals that the primary barriers are perceived to be economic factors and a lack of specialised expertise, training, and guidelines, rather than fundamental technical limitations. Notably, the data indicate that economic barriers appear dominant during the initial feasibility stages, highlighting an urgent need for improved dissemination of economic viability studies; however, during the implementation of energy geostructures, additional challenges are reported, diminishing the relative weight of economic constraints. Indeed, a lack of expertise and guidelines is widely acknowledged by respondents, regardless of whether projects are ultimately implemented, emphasising the need for targeted educational initiatives to foster the adoption of energy geostructures. Legal aspects as well as coordination between the different actors during energy geostructures deployment also appear among the difficulties linked to the implementation of energy geostructures. By identifying and comparatively assessing these multifaceted challenges through survey responses, this paper provides a strategic evidence base for policymakers and industry leaders to develop the frameworks necessary to foster the deployment of energy geostructures in the transition to net-zero.