Geothermal energy is a resource that has been used since ancient times, with people using it from naturally occurring hot springs for cooking and heating. With the industrial development the first geothermal power plant was constructed at Larderello (Italy) in 1911. Nowadays, geothermal energy plays an important role among renewable energies. In fact, as such it has been taken in great consideration for the ongoing green transition. However, this isn’t a kind of energy that is just ready to be used, it needs a lot and different types of studies and research.

Geothermal systems always need to be studied, both when considering a green field condition and when it is already being exploited. In the first case, it is important to know how this kind of system was established, what drives the heat through the reservoir, what are its main characteristics, and most important, if it is suitable for the installation of a geothermal plant. On the other hand, during its exploitation, it is always convenient to know if and how the system is evolving, and thus use the resource in an appropriate way. In order to do this, many and different methods are applied, starting from geophysics, geochemistry, structural geology and so on.

Therefore, and considering all the above-mentioned aspects, this conference has been organised with the aim to unite people from different branches of geology and environmental science to talk about geothermics. The main topics will regard the way it can be studied, starting from the heat source, its origin, the reservoir and the water source involved. Another aspect that is important when considering geothermal plants, is the impact on the environment and the surrounding society. Therefore, a part of this conference will be reserved to the methods implied to analyse the possible effects on water, air and people’s health. Researchers will have the opportunity to share their studies’s outcome, the new methodologies used and which are the main parameters that are actually being considered when monitoring the impact on the surrounding system around a geothermal power plant.

Finally, but not less important, how this resource, or more in general, the georesources, are presented and seen in society. It means, how didactic and dissemination handle this topic. A dedicated session will discuss the teaching ways and, in a bigger view, how the Civic education at schools is approaching this theme.