D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
Project Start: 15th December 2015
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Annex 3: Near surface geothermal energy
regulations by countries
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Table of contents
1 Austria ............................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Levels of regulations in Austria ............................................................................................... 4
1.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Austria ......................................................... 6
1.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application .............................................................................. 6
1.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions .................................................... 10
1.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones ..................................... 11
1.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications ............................................................................ 12
1.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications ......................................... 13
2 France ............................................................................................................................................ 15
2.1 Levels of regulations in the France ........................................................................................ 17
2.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in France ........................................................ 18
2.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application ............................................................................ 18
2.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions .................................................... 19
2.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones ..................................... 20
2.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications ............................................................................ 21
2.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications ......................................... 22
3 Germany ........................................................................................................................................ 23
3.1 Levels of regulations in Germany .......................................................................................... 23
3.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Germany .................................................... 24
3.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application ............................................................................ 24
3.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions .................................................... 26
3.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones ..................................... 27
3.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications ............................................................................ 28
3.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications ......................................... 29
4 Italy ................................................................................................................................................ 31
4.1 Levels of regulations in Italy .................................................................................................. 31
4.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Italy ............................................................ 33
4.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application ............................................................................ 33
4.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions .................................................... 37
4.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones ..................................... 38
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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4.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications ............................................................................ 39
4.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications ......................................... 41
5 Switzerland .................................................................................................................................... 43
5.1 Levels of regulations in Switzerland ...................................................................................... 43
5.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Switzerland ................................................ 45
5.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application ............................................................................ 45
5.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions .................................................... 48
5.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones ..................................... 51
5.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications ............................................................................ 53
5.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications ......................................... 55
6 Slovenia ......................................................................................................................................... 57
6.1 Levels of regulations in Slovenia ........................................................................................... 57
6.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Slovenia ..................................................... 58
6.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application ............................................................................ 58
6.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions .................................................... 60
6.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones ..................................... 61
6.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications ............................................................................ 62
6.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications ......................................... 64
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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1 Austria
1.1 Levels of regulations in Austria
Regulation level Public Administration
Austrian Standards Institute
NGO’s
NATIONAL (federal state of Austria)
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management
National standards Guidelines of OEWAV
Legal instrument BGBL. I 54/2014
REGIONAL (national states of Austria)
Administration of national states of Austria, Guidelines of national states of Austria
Legal instrument BGBL. I 54/2014, Approval (yield > 5 l/s)
LOCAL (districts) District authority
Legal instrument BGBL. I 54/2014, approval, Approval (yield < 5l/s)
OEWAV: for further details see: http://www.oewav.at/Page.aspx?target=65684&SetLanguage=2
Table 1. Dictionary of Legal instruments: English - National.
English term National term Remark
Federal Act 1. Bundesgesetz Binding on the federal level, Water Act: WRG 1959
(BGBL. I 54/2014 i.d.g.F.)
Mining Act: MinROG (drilling length > 300m)
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Act of the national 2.states of Austria
Landesgesetz Nature protection:
Burgenland: Gesetz vom 15. November 1990 über
den Schutz und die Pflege der Natur und Landschaft
im Burgenland – Burgenländisches Naturschutz und
Landschaftspflegesetze (LGBl.Nr. 27/1991 idgF).
Carinthia: Gesetz vom 3. Juni 1986 über den Schutz
und die Pflege der Natur – Kärntner
Naturschutzgesetz (LGBl.Nr. 54/1986).
Lower Austria: Gesetz vom 11. November 1976
über die Erhaltung und die Pflege der Natur–
Niederösterreichisches Naturschutzgesetz (LGBl.Nr.
5500-0 idgF).
Upper Austria: Oberösterreichisches Natur- und
Landschafts-schutzgesetz vom 24. April 1995
(LGBl.Nr. 37/1995).
Salzburg: Salzburger Naturschutzgesetz vom 30.
Dezember 1993 (LGBl.Nr. 1/1993).
Styria: Gesetz vom 30. Juni 1976 über den Schutz
der Natur und die Pflege der Landschaft –
Steiermärkisches Naturschutzgesetz (LGBl.Nr.
65/1976 idgF).
Tyrol: Gesetz vom 12. März 1997 über die Erhaltung
und Pflege der Natur – Tiroler Naturschutzgesetz
(LGBl.Nr. 33/1997).
Vorarlberg: Gesetz vom vom 4. März 1997 über
Naturschutz und
Landschaftsentwicklung – Vorarlberg (LGBl.Nr.
22/1997).
Vienna: Gesetz vom 19. Oktober 1984 über den
Schutz und die Pflege der Natur – Wiener
Naturschutzgesetz (LBGl.Nr. 6/1985).
Rule 3. Richtlinie Binding on the federal level
Technical guidance 4. ÖNORM Binding on the federal level
Individual 5.normative decision (administrative notification)
Bescheid Binding on the district level / state level
Guidelines 6. Leitfaden/Merkblatt Binding on the national state level
Regelblatt Not binding, federal level
Executive summary on shallow geothermal regulation in Austria
The legal framework for all kind of uses associated to shallow geothermal methods is governed by the
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federal Water Act (WRG 1959, BGBL. I 54/2014 i.d.g.F.), which is at the responsibility of the federal
ministry of environment - FME (Ministerium für ein Lebenswertes Österreich,
https://www.bmlfuw.gv.at/). Regarding regulation procedures, the competence of the FME is limited
to transnational regulation aspects (§100, WRG 1959). The responsibility for the execution of the
federal Water act is transferred to the governors of the 9 national states of Austria, represented by its
administrative offices (“Ämter der Landesregierungen”). For minor groundwater uses (yield < 5 l/s) as
well as closed loop systems, the offices of the national states are represented by the district offices
(“Bezirkshauptmannschaften”), which are responsible for regulation issues.
Major groundwater uses (yield > 5l/s) and general planning and management issues (e.g. the definition
of water protection areas) are governed by the administrative offices of the national states.
The Austrian Standards institutes governs the following standards concerning shallow geothermal use:
OENORM B 2601 – Wassererschließung – Brunnen (drilling and well techniques)
OENORM B 2261 – Brunnenbauarbeiten Werkvertragsnorm (well techniques)
OENORM B 4401, OENORM B 4400-1 und OENORM B 4400-2 – Bohrprotokoll (drilling reports)
OENORM EN 805 - Wasserversorgung - Anforderungen an Wasserversorgungssysteme und
deren Bauteile außerhalb von Gebäuden (water supply, borehole heat exchanger)
These standards are legally binding!
The NGO organization OEWAV (“Österreichischer Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaftsverband“,
http://www.oewav.at), acting as an umbrella federation for service providers in water supply and
waste business, provides the following relevant guidelines:
OEWAV RB 207 – Thermische Nutzung des Grundwassers und des Untergrunds – Heizen und
Kühlen (shallow geothermal use).
OEWAV RB 208 „Bohrungen zur Grundwassererkundung“ (drillings and wells).
The guidelines of the OEWAV are legally not binding, but are generally considered by the
administrative authorities.
1.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Austria
1.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Drilling /excavating 1.below groundwater table
allowed Mining Act if borehole is deeper than 300 m.
WRG 19591, MinRoG
National
Reinjection for NSGE-W 2. obligatory Reinjection of used groundwater in the same aquifer, from which it was extracted.
WRG 19592 National
1 §31c (5)
2 § 32a (3)
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Minimum distance to 3.installations a. next building, b. drinking water well, c. other uses wells d. other public installations
Recommended Closed loop systems: H - Horizontal collectors: a: 1 m distance to buildings b: 1.5 m distance to drinking water well V - Vertical collectors (borehole heat exchangers): d: 2.5 m distance to property line c: 5 m minimum distance between the boreholes (pure heat extraction, no seasonal storage). W - Open loop-systems: See (4.)
OEWAV RB 207
National
Minimum distance 4.between neighboring NSGE installations a. heat exchanger or b. groundwater well
Recommended Obligatory Recommended
a. Minimum distance 5 m (see 3.) if not connected to the same heat transfer circle. b. groundwater wells Preexisting rights are not allowed to be affected. Critical legislative key value limiting influence of existing use: dT < 1 °C, dH < 0.1 m Estimation of minimum distance between production and reinjection well based on analytic assumptions and numerical modelling.
OEWAV RB 207 WRG 19593 OEWAV RB 207
National
Minimum distance to 5.neighboring plot (property line)
recommended NSGE-V: It should be a minimum distance of 2.5 m to the Neighboring plot.
OEWAV RB 207
National
Minimum distance 6.between pumping and reinjection site
recommended Small scale single use: simplified analytic estimation. Large scale, multiple wells or complex hydrogeological settings: numerical modelling.
OEWAV RB 207
Temperature difference 7.of the reinjected water (W)
recommended Maximum 6 °C OEWAV RB 207 (S. 16)
National
3 § 12
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Temperature drop (H, 8.V) a. absolute allowed Tmin,
b. absolute allowed Tmax,
c. relative value describing
the accepted T between
disturbed and ambient undisturbed temperature.
recommended Tmin > 5 °C, Tmax < 20 °C
T referring to undisturbed mean annual groundwater temperature max. 6 °C Legal standing (active role in the permitting procedure) granted to pre-existing users in case of the following changes in groundwater quantity and quality: dT > 1 °C, dH (absolute change of water table) > 0.1 m
OEWAV RB 207 Regulative practice (e.g. City of Vienna)
National regional
Heat carrier fluid type 9. recommended Limitation to the use of heat carrier fluids classified as having a low environmental impact (“Wassergefährdungsklasse 1”)
OEWAV RB 207, attachment 2
National
Refrigerant type 10. recommended Using refrigerants based on the Austrian standards OENORM EN 378-3 & OENORM M 7755-1: Hydrocarbons, CO2, CH4 (not applicable in two hydraulic circuits’ heat-pump systems). Not allowed: CFCs, HCFCs
OEWAV RB 207
National
Tightness – ground 11.loop and refrigerant tubing
recommended Adapted from Austrian standard OENORM EN 805: pressure test based on pure water at an initial pressure of 12 bar. Evaluation of test based on nomographs.
OEWAV RB 207, attachment 6
Backfilling of BHE 12. recommended Recommended workflow to guarantee a complete backfilling. Quality criteria of cementation mixture: density > 1.3 g/cm³.
OEWAV RB 207
National
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Liquidation procedure 13.after abandonment of NSGE installation a. heat pump b. heat exchanger
Obligatory Recommended Obligatory
b. Groundwater use: Evaluation of subsurface contamination and restoration of subsurface in good environmental quality. Deconstruction of subsurface installations and backfilling of installations pipes by natural material (e.g. sand, gravel, soil). All works performed by qualified companies. Prevention of groundwater contamination by surface water. Prevention of shortcuts of different aquifers. Horizontal collectors: (in case of circulation pipes remaining in the subsurface) Extraction of heat carrier fluids – cleaning of pipes by nitrogen blow-through BHE: Extraction of heat carrier fluids from circulation pipes – Backfilling of circulation pipes (liquid-tight). All subsurface installations have to be removed according to workflows described for groundwater use. All heat exchanger types: Notification of liquidation to public authority.
OENORM B2601 OEWAV RB 207 WRG 1959
National
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Monitoring 14. Obligatory Groundwater use only: Wells: Periodical (commonly monthly) operational monitoring of groundwater use (temperature of produced water, yield, temperature of injected water) and written documentation (no quality standards for reporting). Documentation of operational incidents and services carried out. In case of extensive groundwater use passive monitoring at observation wells (e.g. Vienna). Heat-pump: Monitoring of cumulated extracted environmental heat and consumed electric power. The obligation of monitoring is regulated at the individual administrative notification related to the permission of use.
Guidelines of administrative offices at the national states
Regional
1.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions
Regulation element Legal regulation Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Artesian aquifers 15. Allowed Not allowed
At productive aquifers with low artesian pressure (see below) - approval obligatory! Drilling of artesian aquifers with expected pressure of > 3 m above surface Use of artesian aquifers not recommended at OEWAV RB 207
WRG 19594 OEWAV RB 207
national
Very shallow water 16.table where reinjection can be problematic
Recommended Minimum caprock (cover layer) thickness of 2 meters
OEWAV RB 207
Perched 17.groundwater layers
Not regulated
Two or multiple 18.aquifer layers
Not allowed Drilling through several pressurized aquifers at different pressure levels.
WRG 1959
4 §31c
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Mineral water 19.resources
No allowed If site is located within a water protection zone classified as I and II referring to §34, sect. 1 WRG 1959
WRG 1959
Thermal water 20.resources
Not allowed See 19. WRG 1959
Gas occurrences 21. allowed The possibility of gas deposits should be estimate. In case of risks of gas occurrence, warning tools and special requirements for drilling techniques have to be considered. In case of gas occurrence public authorities and emergency services have to be contacted immediately.
OEWAV 207 Guidelines of regional authorities
Unstable ground 22.a. compressible soil b. landslide c. evaporate (with the risk of swelling / dissolution)
Not allowed / Allowed under conditions
Regulated at level of regional authorities. Assessment of technical risks obligatory.
Guidelines of regional authorities
Contaminated soil 23. Not regulated
Karst area 24. Not regulated
1.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Water protection area 25.(WPA)
Allowed Not Allowed
Protection zone III: recharge area of groundwater bodies at a particle travel time of one year Protection zone II: groundwater inflow area at a particle travel time of 60 days Protection zone I: capture zone of groundwater extraction. Water protection zones are shown at: http://wisa.bmlfuw.gv.at/wasserkarten/gewaesserbewirtschaftungsplan-2015/schutzgebiete/ngp_sgb.html
Water act 19595
National
Natura 2000 area 26. Not regulated
Nature protected 27.ecosystem area
Not regulated
Flood and erosion 28.areas
Not regulated
Landslide area 29. Not regulated
Riparian / coastal zone 30. Not applicable
5 § 31c (5), § 34, §103
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Other areas 31.a. … b. …
1.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications6
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
NSGE (GSHP) 32.objectives a. national (NREAP)
b. regional
c. local (LEC…)
Recommended a. 2010 / 10 ktoe / 26 ktoe / 20207
Subsidies 33. Not regulated Investment subsidies: Regulated at level of national states of Austria; Electricity rates for heat-pumps
Regional, Private industry
Insurance system 34. Not regulated
Certification 35.a. professionals b. organization
Not regulated
Borehole drilling report 36. Obligatory Standardized lithological logs: OENORM B4401, OENORM B4400-1, OENORM B4400-2
Austrian standards
Pumping test report 37. Not regulated
Thermal response test 38.report
Not regulated
Reception of borehole 39.by the investor
Obligatory Notification of accomplishment of wells and boreholes to regulating authority
Administrative notification
Water pumping data 40.periodic report
Obligatory Regulated at individual administrative notifications
Administrative notification
Heat energy 41.production data periodic report from NSGE
Obligatory Ground source systems: Monitoring and documentation at logbook
Administrative notification
Register of heat pumps 42. Obligatory Ground source systems: Notification of use to public authorities
WRG 19598 national
Register of heat 43.exchanger
Obligatory Ground source systems: Notification of use to public authorities
WRG 19599 national
6 Information asked in the table "Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden." is to
describe how planning tools in the framework of public services are regulated. This could be:
7 https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/renewable-energy/national-action-plans
8 §114
9 §114
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Register of NSGE 44.production
Obligatory Notification of use to public authorities
WRG 195910
national
Register of drilling data 45. Partly obligatory
In case of necessary permitting procedures
Guidelines of public authorities
Regional
Register of geothermal 46.data
Not regulated
Register of 47.groundwater abstraction
Obligatory Consent of extraction- and injection rates
Administrative notification
Regional
1.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Research/drilling 48.permit
Partly obligatory
Groundwater use: obligatory BHE: Only obligatory at defined regions showing complex hydrogeological or interests on drinking water supply (see also 51.)
Guidelines of regional authorities
Regional
Declaration / Recorded 49.special use of water
Obligatory In case of combined use of groundwater for heating and service water (e.g. irrigation).
WRG 1959 Regional
Water consent 50. Obligatory Declaration at water permitting procedures
WRG 195911
Regional
Water permit 51. Partly obligatory
Groundwater use: Permission is mandatory. BHE: In general, obligation of disclosure except for regions designated to water permit Horizontal collectors: obligation of disclosure
WRG 1959 Regional
Water fee 52. Not regulated
Concession 53. Not regulated
Royalty / concession 54.fee
Not regulated
Energy fee 55. Not regulated
10
§114 11
§§ 98 und 99
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Explanatory notes concerning water permits
Before the amendment to the Water Act (WRG 1959) in 2011, the obligation of water permits for borehole heat exchangers have been reduced to designated regions, at which a significant vulnerability of surface near groundwater bodies have to be expected. According to this amendment, the national states of Austria had to outline these regions. In most cases, vulnerability of aquifers was referred to pressurizes or artesian hydraulic conditions. The obligation of permit is concerning thermal groundwater use as well as BHE use. Horizontal collectors are not affected by that. Outside of these designated areas, only obligation of disclosure is dedicated to all kind of near surface geothermal uses.
Dictionary of permitting and charging terms: English – German language.
English term National term Remark
Declaration / Recorded special use of water
Bekanntmachung / Eingetragene Sondernutzung von Wasser
»Disclosure« or »notification« or »declaration« or in German »Anzeigepflicht«
Water consent Wasserkonsensmenge
Water right a. Recorded special use
b. Water permit c. Concession
Wasserrecht a. eingetragene Sondernutzung b. Genehmigung c. Konzession
Water fee / Water charge
Gebühr für Wasser / Berechnung
Royalty Abgaben
Concession fee Konzessionsgebühren
German term / abbreviation Explanation
Ämter der Landesregierungen Administrative offices representing national states of Austria.
Bezirkshauptmannschaften The offices of the national states are represented by the district offices (“Bezirkshauptmannschaften”), which are responsible for regulation issues.
BGBl Bundesgesetzblatt für die Republik Österreich
FME Austrian federal Ministry of environment (Ministerium für ein
Lebenswertes Österreich, https://www.bmlfuw.gv.at/).
MinRoG Mining Act
OEWAV The NGO organization (“Österreichischer Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaftsverband“, http://www.oewav.at), acting as an umbrella federation for service providers in water supply and waste business.
OEWAV RB 207 Guidelines: Thermische Nutzung des Grundwassers und des
Untergrunds – Heizen und Kühlen (shallow geothermal use)
OEWAV RB 208 Guidelines: Bohrungen zur Grundwassererkundung (drillings and
wells).
WRG 195912 Austrian federal Water Act
12
§31c (5)
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2 France
Decree 2015-15 of 8th January 2015 defines the terms of shallow geothermal energy. This is backed by 4 orders:
order on general requirements for shallow geothermal energy activities: conditions relating to the layout of an installation, measures to the implemented on performance, conditions of sale and exploitation as well as the terms of surveillance and maintenance of the installation.
order on the qualification of drilling companies working on shallow geothermal energy systems: obligation to perform drillings by qualified companies (RGE QualiForage)
order on the cartography of statutory zones. On a national scale, this relates to two maps, one for closed-loop exchangers and one for open-loop exchangers handling zone 10 at 200 m. These maps may be broken down, on a regional level, for 3 depth intervals: 10-50 m, 10-100 m and 10-200 m. They define 3 distinct statutory zones: - "green" zone: the declaration system applies; - "orange" zone: the declaration system applies whereby the bidder is required to provide a "certificate of compatibility" from an export to perform the project; - "red" zone: the geological risks shown on the cartography of the statutory zones exclude the benefit of the simplified administrative system for shallow thermal energy.
order on the expert approval for shallow geothermal energy systems: lays sown the terms of approval of experts and the skills required.
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A teleservice shall be dedicated to the declaration of shallow geothermal energy systems
(www.geothermie-perspectives.fr).
Summary of procedures applicable to the different types of geothermal
energy (as per the document from the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy)
Cartography of statutory zones
This is based on 9 feared phenomena: 1 - Subsidence/raising related to evaporitic levels
2 – Subsidence/collapse related to cavities (excluding mines).
3 – Subsidence/collapse related to mining cavities.
4 – Ground movements (or landslides).
5 - Pollution of soils and groundwater.
6 – Artesian phenomenon.
7 – Aquifer communication.
8 – Rising groundwater.
9 – Saltwater wedge (only for regional cartographies).
Type of geothermal energy General conditions Administrative system
Air-ground heat exchangers, energy
geostructures or cagesNone Mining Code not applicable
Less than 10 m deep Mining Code not applicable
Depth > 10 m and < 200 m
and
power < 500 kW and flow rate < 80 m3/h,
with reinjection into same groundwater
and
in green or orange zone
Depth > 200 m or power > 500 kW or flow rate >
80 m3/h or no reinjection into same groundwater
or red zone
Authorisation reviewed by the
Government departments
Depth > 10 m and < 200 m
and
power < 500 kW and in green or orange zone
Depth > 200 m or power > 500 kW
or red zone
Authorisation reviewed by the
Government departments
Depth < 10 m and power < 500 kW and
flow rate < 80 m3/h and reinjection into same groundwaterMining Code not applicable
Simplified declaration
Closed-circuit geothermal heat
pumps (vertical sensors)
of a depth of 10 to 200 m
Simplified declaration
Horizontal closed-loop heat
exchangers (depth < 10 m)
Open-loop geothermal heat pumps
(groundwater)
of a depth of 10 to 200 m
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In the folowing table GMI (géothermie de minime importance) refers to shallow geothermal energy,
non GMI refers to low temperature installations.
2.1 Levels of regulations in the France
Regulation level 1 2 3
NATIONAL PARLIAMENT GOVERNMENT / MINISTRY
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION
Legal instrument 1. Constitution 2. Act
3. Decree 4. Ministerial order
5. Voluntary standards 6. Technical guidance
REGIONAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY
REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTING THE GOVERNMENT
Legal instrument Ordinance to be validated by prefectorial order
Prefectorial order
LOCAL
Legal instrument
Table 2. Dictionary of Legal instruments: English - French.
English term National term Remark
Constitution 1. Constitution Binding
Act 2. Loi Binding
Decree 3. Décret Binding
Ministerial order 4. Arrêté ministeriel Binding
Voluntary standards 5. Norme Not binding
Technical guidance 6. Guide technique Not binding
Prefectorial order 7. Arrêté préfectoral Binding
Ordinance 8. Texte règlementaire Binding after prefectorial order
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2.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in France
2.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Drilling /excavating 1.below groundwater table
W, V, H: allowed
GMI: D<10 m: Not regulated 10<D<200 m : Declaration Non GMI: Authorization
Mining Act National Regional
Reinjection for NSGE-W 2. Obligatory Mining Act National
Minimum distance to 3.installations a. next building,
b. drinking water well,
c. other uses wells
d. other public installations
Obligatory GMI: Standard Non GMI: Fixed by impact assessment
Mining Act Ministerial order
National Regional
Minimum distance 4.between neighboring NSGE installations a. heat exchanger or b. groundwater well
Not regulated Non GMI: Fixed by impact assessment
Mining Act
National
Minimum distance to 5.neighboring plot (property line)
Obligatory GMI: Standard under (5 m for V) Non GMI: Fixed by impact assessment
Mining Act Ministerial order
National Regional
Minimum distance 6.between pumping and reinjection site
Not regulated Technical guidance
National
Temperature difference 7.of the reinjected water (W)
Obligatory Impact < 4 °C at 200m from reinjection well
Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Temperature drop (H, 8.V) a. absolute allowed Tmin,
b. absolute allowed Tmax,
c. relative value describing
the accepted T between
disturbed and ambient
undisturbed temperature.
Obligatory V: Tmin = -3, Tmax= 40 °C
W: Tmax = 32 °C Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Heat carrier fluid type 9. Obligatory Biodegradable Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Refrigerant type 10. Standard13 EU
Tightness – ground 11.loop and refrigerant tubing
Obligatory Internal diameter > 25 mm External diameter > 32 mm
Mining Act Ministerial order
National
13
Regulation (EU) No 842/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009.
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Backfilling of BHE 12. Obligatory Cement Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Liquidation procedure 13.after abandonment of NSGE installation a. heat pump
b. heat exchanger
Obligatory V: purge of heat carrier, backfilling with cement W: backfilling with cement
Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Monitoring 14. Obligatory Annual V: pressure, heat pump total working time, in and out temperature (heat pump), min temp out of heat exchanger, tightness. W: pressure, heat pump total working time, in and out temperature (heat pump), max temp out of heat exchanger, volume pumped and reinjected. Decadal: V: verification of safety equipment, heat carrier characteristics. W: BHE inspection
Mining Act Ministerial order
National
2.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Artesian aquifers 15. Obligatory GMI: Regulatory zoning Non GMI: impact assessment
Mining Act Ministerial order Prefectorial order
National Local
Very shallow water 16.table where reinjection can be problematic
Perched 17.groundwater layers
Non regulated
Two or multiple 18.aquifer layers
Obligatory GMI: Regulatory zoning Non GMI: impact assessment
Mining Act Ministerial order Prefectorial order
National Local
Mineral water 19.resources
Obligatory Area of exclusion Prefectorial order
National
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Thermal water 20.resources
Obligatory Area of exclusion Prefectorial order
National
Gas occurrences 21. Non regulated
Unstable ground 22. Obligatory GMI: GMI: Regulatory zoning Non GMI: impact assessment
Mining Act Ministerial order Prefectorial order
National Local
Contaminated soil 23. Obligatory GMI: Regulatory zoning Non GMI: impact assessment
Mining Act Ministerial order Prefectorial order
National Local
Karst area 24. Obligatory GMI: Regulatory zoning Non GMI: impact assessment
Mining Act Ministerial order Prefectorial order
National Local
2.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Water protection area 25.(WPA)
Obligatory Area of exclusion Water Act Environmental code Prefectorial order
National Local
Natura 2000 area 26. Obligatory impact assessment Water Act Environmental code Prefectorial order
National Local
Nature protected 27.ecosystem area
Non regulated
Flood and erosion 28.areas
Non regulated
Landslide area 29. Obligatory GMI: Regulatory zoning Non GMI: impact assessment
Mining Act Ministerial order Prefectorial order
National Local
Riparian / coastal zone 30. Obligatory GMI: Regulatory zoning Non GMI: impact assessment
Mining Act Ministerial order Prefectorial order
National Local
Other areas 31.a. …
b. …
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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2.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
NSGE (GSHP) 32.objectives a. national (NREAP)
b. regional
c. local (LEC…)
Recommended a. and b. Definition of objectives for NSGE. a. 2010 / 222 ktoe / 570 ktoe / 202014 for geothermal and hydrothermal
Subsidies 33.
Insurance system 34. Obligatory Insurance about environmental damage Decadal insurance
Mining Act Decree
National
Certification 35.a. professionals b. organization
Obligatory Mandatory certification for drillers, installers and engineering office
Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Borehole drilling report 36. Obligatory Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Pumping test report 37. Obligatory Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Thermal response test 38.report
Recommended Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Reception of borehole 39.by the investor
Obligatory Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Water pumping data 40.periodic report
Obligatory Annual Mining Act Ministerial order
National
Heat energy 41.production data periodic report from NSGE
Non regulated
Register of heat pumps 42. Non regulated
Register of heat 43.exchanger
Non regulated
Register of NSGE 44.production
Non regulated
Register of drilling data 45. Non regulated
Register of geothermal 46.data
Non regulated
Register of 47.groundwater abstraction
Non regulated
14
https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/renewable-energy/national-action-plans
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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2.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Research/drilling 48.permit
Obligatory Only for non GMI Mining Act Ministerial order Prefectorial order
National Local
Declaration / Recorded 49.special use of water
Non regulated
Water consent 50. Non regulated
Water permit 51. Non regulated
Water fee 52. Non regulated
Concession 53. Obligatory Only for non GMI Mining Act Ministerial order Prefectorial order
National Local
Royalty / concession 54.fee
Non regulated
Energy fee 55. Non regulated
Dictionary of permitting and charging terms: English – French language.
English term French term Remark
National term / abbreviation Explanation
GMI Geothermal activities of minimal importance (?) (fr.: géothermie de minime importance)
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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3 Germany
3.1 Levels of regulations in Germany
Regulation level 1 2 3 4
NATIONAL PARLIAMENT GOVERNMENT MINISTRY (BMU,BMWI)
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY (BGR/UBA)
Legal instrument 1. Act 1. Act 2. Decree 3. Rules 4. Standard 5. Technical guidance
2. Decree 3. Rules 4. Standard 5. Technical guidance
REGIONAL PARLIAMENT (Bavaria, Baden-Würtemberg)
GOVERNMENT MINISTRY (STMUV,STMWI, …)
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY (LFU Bayern; LGRB )
Legal instrument 1. Act 2. Decree
1. Act 2. Decree
2. Decree 3. Rules 4. Standard 5. Technical guidance 9. Guidelines
2. Decree 3. Rules 4. Standard 5. Technical guidance 8. Approval 9. Guidelines
LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY (WWA, Regierung, Landratsamt)
Legal instrument 6. Ordinance 8. Approval
Table 3. Dictionary of Legal instruments: English - German.
English term German term Remark
Act 1. Gesetz (WHG, BergG, BAYWG)
Binding on the country level
Decree 2. Verordnung (VAwS, VPSW)
Binding on the country level
Rules 3. Vorschrift (VVWas) Binding on the country level
Standard 4. Standard (DIN) Binding on the country level
Voluntary standard 5. Freiwilliger Standard Not binding
Technical guidance 6. Richtlinie (VDI) Not binding
Ordinance 7. Anordnung Binding on the municipal level
Decision 8. Beschluß Binding
Approval 9. Erlaubnis Binding
Guidelines 10. Leitfaden (EWS) Not binding
Act (d. Gesetz) is a general legal instrument, in the order of rank directly under the constitution and
superior to other general legal instruments. The main acts referenced in this Deliverable are on
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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national level Renewable Energy Act (EEG), Waters Act (WHG), Mining Act (BBergG), Construction
Act, Nature Conservation Act and Environmental Protection Act and on the regional level for Bavaria
water act (BayWG) and Baden-Württemberg (WasserG).
Decree (dt. Verordnung) is a general legal instrument, enacted by the highest executive authority
(government) on the basis of the Constitution or the Act (Slovar slovenskega knjižnega jezika).
The Approval (dt. Erlaubnis/ Bescheid) is issued by the regional water authorities in writing
conditions. This is absolutely necessary for the construction and operation of a shallow geothermal
plant.
The guideline (dt. Leitfaden) is worked out by the regional governmental authorities. The aim of the
guideline is the regulation of technical and water legislation needs. The guideline has a binding
status. Rules from the guideline are included in the approval of the local authorities and get so legal
character.
In Germany, standards are written for industrial manufacturing, components or measuring methods.
These regulate the implementation, application, production, and demands on the quality of
components or products. The German Institute for Standardization recognizes these standards and
this was released. The standards will be developed in relevant standardization committees. These
committees can industry representatives, scientists and authorities belong. For the use of shallow
geothermal energy, there are some relevant DIN standards for the heat pump. The technical
demands of the heat exchanger systems in the underground govern the VDI 4640-guideline.
3.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Germany
3.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Drilling /excavating 1.below groundwater table
W, V, H: Allowed
In every case water approval necessary
Water Act (WHG, BayWG, WasserG), guideline, leaflet
National/Regional
Reinjection for NSGE-W 2. Obligatory Reinjection is necessary (EU WFD)
EU-WFD, Water Act (WHG, BayWG, WasserG), guideline, leaflet
European, national, regional
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Minimum distance to 3.installations a. next building, b. drinking water well, c. other uses wells d. other public installations
Obligatory a) 1.5 m (Construction Act); 3 m recommend (leaflet) b) depends on the protection area and the catchment area (not allowed) c) no regulation, is in private responsibility d) -
Construction Act
guideline, leaflet
National, regional
Minimum distance 4.between neighboring NSGE installations a. heat exchanger or b. groundwater well
Obligatory a) + b) The heat extraction must remain on the plant grounds.
BBerG, guideline, leaflet
National, regional
Minimum distance to 5.neighboring plot (property line)
Obligatory 1.5 m (Construction Act) 3 m recommend (leaflet)
Construction Act
guideline, leaflet
National, regional
Minimum distance 6.between pumping and reinjection site
Obligatory Recommended
L ≥ 10 m Extraction well upstream of the injection well.
Leaflet (not published until now) Standard15
National, regional
Temperature difference 7.of the reinjected water (W)
Obligatory
Normally 6 °K, in some cases 4 °K, absolute Temp. not > 20 °C in the groundwater
guideline, leaflet, Approval, Technical guideline (VDI)
National, regional
Temperature drop (H, 8.V) a. absolute allowed Tmin, b. absolute allowed Tmax, c. relative value describing
the accepted T between disturbed and ambient undisturbed temperature.
Obligatory
V: a) 0 °C in baseload, -3 °C in peakload (system should be closed) b) 20 °C in the underground c) T = 6 °K
H: no regulation
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Heat carrier fluid type 9. Obligatory
Different: VDI 4640 Sheet 1, VAwS
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Refrigerant type 10. Obligatory
Different: VDI 4640 Sheet 1, DIN 8901, VAwS
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Tightness – ground 11.loop and refrigerant tubing
Obligatory
Tightness of the circuit shall be checked, tested in accordance with standards.16
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
16
e.g. SIST EN 15450:2007, EN 378-1…
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Backfilling of BHE 12. Obligatory Special conditions for production, processing and durability. Specific material properties must be reached. In BW: Doped backfill material (LQS EWS BW) in critical situations. Doped mean that you have Ingredients in the backfill material to proof the tightness.
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Liquidation procedure 13.after abandonment of NSGE installation a. heat pump b. heat exchanger
Obligatory a) Dismantling, backfilling b) Replacement of heat carrier fluids agent to water, in geological and hydrogeological critical situations rebuilding
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Monitoring 14. Obligatory Monitoring in connection with
MAP: heat amount and electric
energy amount (Seasonal
Performance Factor,
“Jahresarbeitszahl”- not COP -
must be 4.5); Users must just
deliver the SPF
Big plants, specially V (> 45):
H: Q, H,T (theoretically)
V: Q, H, T
W: Q, H, T
Rules, Approval
National, regional
3.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Artesian aquifers 15. Obligatory BW: special equipment BY: Not allowed
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Very shallow water 16.table where reinjection can be problematic
Obligatory In flood plains sometimes not allowed, conditions has to be tested
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Perched 17.groundwater layers
Obligatory Monitoring specialist. The PSW respectively an expert from the water management authority must check.
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Two or multiple 18.aquifer layers
Obligatory BY: In some areas allowed, monitoring by specialist BW: Not allowed
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Mineral water 19.resources
Obligatory Not allowed for shallow resources guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Thermal water 20.resources
Obligatory Not allowed for shallow resources guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Gas occurrences 21. Obligatory Special drilling equipment Mining Act National
Unstable ground 22.a. compressible soil b. landslide c. evaporate (with the risk of swelling / dissolution)
Obligatory BW: A: no regulations B: no regulations C: not allowed (drilling above the gpislevel) BY: A: no regulations B: no regulations C: not allowed
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional, local
Contaminated soil 23. Obligatory Not allowed guideline, leaflet,
National, regional
Karst area 24. Obligatory BW: Special Conditions BY: not allowed
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional, local
3.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Water protection area 25.(WPA)
Not allowed17 BW: In WPA I, II and IIIA not allowed, in WPA IIIB risk analysis necessary BY: In WPA I, II and WPA III not allowed. Sometimes in WPA IIIB depends on protection area decrees.
Act, Decree, Approval
National, regional, local
Natura 2000 area 26. Not regulated National
Nature protected 27.ecosystem area
Not regulated National
Flood and erosion 28.areas
Not allowed National Local
Landslide area 29. Not regulated National
Riparian / coastal zone 30. Not regulated National
Other areas 31.a. …
b. …
17
The regulation has to be defined in the individual Decree for the certain water resource and WPA (Rules on criteria for the designation of a water protection zone, Annex 1; Ul RS, No. 15/16). In the Decrees or Ordinances that are currently in force, typically not allowed in the WPA I, II and exceptionally allowed in the WPA II, III.
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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3.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
NSGE (GSHP) 32.objectives a. national (NREAP)
b. regional
c. local (LEC…)
Recommended a. and b. Definition of objectives for NSGE “geothermal energy from heat pumps”.18 a. 2010 / 258 ktoe / 521 ktoe / 2020
National Local
Subsidies 33. Obligatory MAP (grants and low interest credits) in general the aim of the programme is the refurbishment of matured houses and industrial sites. For new constructions a funding is only possible for innovative technology)
MAP National
Insurance system 34. Obligatory BW: After LQS drilling insurance necessary; No special criteria for the insurance needed. BY: Not necessary but useful
National
Certification 35.a. professionals b. organization
Obligatory a) +b) Generally required
(DVGW, BAU-Cert W 120 – 1 or
W 120 -2),Exceptional,
depending on the local water
authority local experienced
drilling companies allowed
a) Private Sachverständige der
Wasserwirtschaft (PSW) for
monitoring of the building
process in special geological,
hydrogeological and water
ecological situations
a) VAwS: For big, public and commercial plants, specialist for Substances Hazardous to Waters is necessary
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional, local
Borehole drilling report 36. Obligatory Generally required (DVGW, BAU-Cert W 120 – 1 or W 120 -2, DIN 4023)
guideline, leaflet, Approval
National, Regional, local
Pumping test report 37. Obligatory Required (DIN EN ISO 22282-4) guideline, leaflet, Approval
Regional, local
Thermal response test 38.report
Obligatory TRT for plants bigger then 30 to 50 KW (different in the federal states)
guideline, leaflet,
National, regional, local
18
Only heat pumps for which SPF > 1.15 * 1/η shall be taken into account (Commission Decision 2013/114/EU).
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Reception of borehole 39.by the investor
Recommended BGB Rule National
Water pumping data 40.periodic report
Obligatory Only for big plants (30 to 50 KW)
guideline, leaflet, Approval
National, regional, local
Heat energy 41.production data periodic report from NSGE
Obligatory Only for big plants (30 to 50 KW)
guideline, leaflet, Approval
National, regional, local
Register of heat pumps 42. A) Obligatory B) Defined
SPF (JAZ) for MAP Only subsidized applications Access: generally not public Data management: Eco Fund
MAP National
Register of heat 43.exchanger
Not regulated
Register of NSGE 44.production
Obligatory Annual Report is just needed >30 to 50 kW
Register of drilling data 45. Not regulated
Register of geothermal 46.data
Not regulated
Register of 47.groundwater abstraction
Obligatory if volume extraction rate > 100,000 m3 per year (WHG, BAyWG)
guideline, leaflet, Approval
National, regional, local
3.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Research/drilling 48.permit
Obligatory In every case Act, guideline, leaflet, Approval
National, regional, local
Declaration / Recorded 49.special use of water
Not required
Water consent 50. Not required
Water permit 51. Obligatory if NSGE reached groundwater table (WHG, BAyWG)
guideline, leaflet, Approval
National, regional, local
Water fee 52. Not required
Concession 53. Not required
Royalty / concession 54.fee
Not required
Energy fee 55. Not required
Dictionary of permitting and charging terms: English - German.
English term German term Remark
Approval Erlaubnis
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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German term / abbreviation Explanation
BayWG Regional level for water act in Bavaria (ge.: Bayerisches Wassergesetzes)
BAU-Cert Certification of building material
BBergG German Mining Act
BGB (ge.: Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch)
BY Bavaria (ge.: Bayern)
BW Baden-Würtemberg
DVGW (ge.: Deutsche Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches)
EEG Renewable Energy Act
JAZ Seasonal Performance Factor (SFP) (ge.: Jahresarbeitszahl)
LQS EWS Guidelines quality assurance for ground coupled heat exchangers (ge.: Leitlinien Qualitätssicherung Erdwärmesonden)19
MAP Market incentive Programme (ge.: Marktanreizprogramm)
PSW Private authorized expert (ge: Privater Sachverständiger der
Wassersirtschaft)
VAwS Decree for sites about handling with water endangering substances
(ge.: Verordnung über Anlagen zum Umgang mit
wassergefährdenden Stoffen und über Fachbetriebe
(Anlagenverordnung – VAwS))
VPSW Decree about private authorized experts for the water management
(ge.: Verordnung über private Sachverständige in der
Wasserwirtschaft (Sachverständigenverordnung – VPSW))
WasserG Regional level for Baden-Württemberg water act
WHG Waters Act
19
http://um.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/energie/erneuerbare-energien/geothermie/lqs-ews/
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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4 Italy
4.1 Levels of regulations in Italy
Regulation level 1 2 3 4
NATIONAL PARLIAMENT GOVERNMENT MINISTRY GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY
Legal instrument 1. Constitution
2. Act
3. Civil Code
4. Decree (D.P.R. &
D.P.C.M)
5. Decree (D.M.)
6. Standard
7. Technical
guidance
8. Decision
9. Approval
10. Guidelines
REGIONAL REGIONAL
COUNCIL
GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY
Legal instrument 1. Act
2. Regulation
3. Decree (D.P.G.R) 4. Decision
5. Approval
6. Technical
guidance
PROVINCIAL PROVINCIAL
COUNCIL
GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY
(Only for
Provinces of
Trento and
Bolzano)
Legal instrument 1. Act
(Only for Provinces
of Trento and
Bolzano)
2. Decree (D.P.P &
D.P.C.P)
3. Decision
4. Approval
5. Technical guidance
LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
Legal instrument 1. Ordinance
2. Regulation
Table 4. Dictionary of Legal instruments: English - Italian.
English term Italian term Remark (osservazioni)
Act 1. Legge/atto amministrativo Binding on the country level
Civil Code 2. Codice civile
Decree 3. Decreto Binding on the country level
Rules/Regulation 4. Regolamento Binding on the country level
Standard 5. Norma Binding on the country level
Voluntary standard 6. Norma tecnica (volontaria) Not binding
Technical guidance 7. Guida tecnica di orientamento Not binding
Ordinance 8. Ordinanza Binding on the municipal level
Decision 9. Decisione Binding
Approval/ 10.Authorisation
Approvazione/Autorizzazione Binding
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Water licence 11. Concessione per derivazione d’acqua
Guidelines 12. Linee guida Not binding
Premise
In Italy, specific national regulations concerning shallow geothermal energy do not exist yet. The
Legislative Decree 28/2011, which adopts the 2009/28/CE European Directive, would have had to
introduce decrees and regulations for all renewable energy systems, and hence also for Ground
Source Heat Pumps. However, the decree for GSHP has not been published yet, and hence the
discipline in this field is still different from Region to Region and, sometimes, from Province to
Province. National legislation that concerns geothermal energy is: Decree 1443/1927 (mining act),
Decree 1775/1933 (water and electric installation), Act 464/1984, Decree 236/1988, Decree
152/2006, Decree 22/2010, and the Civil Code.
In short, the situation of the Italian Regions of the Alpine space is the following:
Alpine Space Region
Local regulations Notes
Regional level Provincial level
Valle d’Aosta Yes (Provinces not exist) The regional regulation deals generally with renewable energy and energy planning (no precise references to geothermal energy). Open loop systems need the same authorization process foreseen for any industrial wells.
Piemonte Yes (latest guidelines 2016)
No The guidelines regulate the closed loop systems. The open loop systems are regulated by existing legislation about use and discharge of public water.
Lombardia Yes (since 2006) 9 of the 12 Provinces regulate open loop systems and prescriptions are usually inside the disciplinary annex of each approval act. The other 3 Provinces (Milano, Varese and Mantova) have adopted technical guidance.
Geothermal plants census publicly available (http://www.rinnovabililombardia.it). The Lombardia regional regulation is generally considered the most advanced in Italy.
Liguria No No No specific regulation. Geothermal wells require drilling permit, like other wells. Geothermal probes require municipal building permit.
Trentino Alto Adige
No The two Autonomous Provinces (Trento and Bolzano) have
Province of Bolzano fosters the use of closed loops rather than the open ones.
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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each their own regulation.
In this document, the regulation of the Province of Trento is only about closed loop systems.
Veneto Yes (guidelines) Each of the 7 Provinces has its own regulation. The provincial regulations are only about closed loop systems.
Each province regulations is very similar each to the others except for small details.
Friuli Venezia Giulia
No No For small geothermal plants that exchange heat directly with subsoil or aquifers without removing water, a provincial approval is required.
4.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Italy
4.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Drilling / excavating 1.below groundwater table
W: Obligatory If D > 30 m: communication to
ISPRA20
is required
Decree 1775/1933, Regulation 2/2006
National and Lombardia Region
Recommended General drilling guidelines Decree 236/1988
National
W: Obligatory Open loops (considered as industrial wells) follow the authorization path foreseen for any other water well
Valle d’Aosta Region
V: Not allowed Boring in the saturated zone not allowed if the aquifer is for drinking use
Bolzano Province
H, V: Allowed regardless of groundwater table
If D < 150 m. It is allowed to build up the installation without any kind of authorisation/permit, but it is necessary to be logged to the RSG register (geothermal probes register) filling up it with the data of the whole close loop. If D > 150 m the provincial authorisation for drilling of the well is required.
Regulation 7/2010
Lombardia Region
W: Not regulated but however allowed till 400 meters of depth
If D < 400 m: water licence: for few provinces within this act it is required prior authorisation for the excavation of wells, while for the most of provinces, the authorisation it is the one act.
Regulation 2/2006 with slightly differences among the provinces
Lombardia Region
20
Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research.
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Reinjection for NSGE-W 2. Allowed Normally forbidden for every use, exception made for geothermal plants (allowed under agreement of the competent authority)
Decree 152/2006
National
Not allowed W: reinjection in groundwater not allowed (allowed just in surface waters)
Valle d’Aosta Region
Allowed Only if the heat is extracted from water pumped (W reinjected should be in compliance with the environmental quality objectives)
Decree 152/2006, Mining Act, Regulation 2/2006
National and Lombardia Region
Minimum distance to 3.installations a. next building
b. drinking water well
c. other uses wells
d. other public installations
Recommended a. L > 4.5-5 m Guidelines 2016
Piemonte Region
Not allowed b. In WPA and if L < 200 m c. If L < 30 m
Bolzano Province
Obligatory b. > 200 m PTCP21
2012 Vicenza Province
Obligatory a. Distance to next buildings > 2 m Civil Code National
Obligatory b. c. Distance to wells >=10 m Regulation 7/2010
Lombardia Region
Minimum distance 4.between neighboring NSGE installations a. heat exchanger or
b. groundwater well
Obligatory b.
30 m from well
100 m from private drinking water wells
30 m downstream and > 200 m upstream of drinking water sources captured
Decision n.4081/2005
Bolzano Province
a. L >= 8-10 m Guidelines 2016
Piemonte Region
Minimum distance to 5.neighboring plot (property line)
Obligatory L > 6 m, less if the neighbor agrees Decision n.4081/2005
Bolzano Province
L > 2 m Civil Code (or Municipal ordinance
22)
National
L < 2 m if the neighbor agrees Regulations Provinces of Veneto
L ≥ 4 m for depth probes equal to 120 m, for deeper probes the distance must be bigger
Guidelines 28/04/2016
Belluno Province
According to Civil Code and in any case ≥ 4 m
Regulation 7/2010
Lombardia Region
Minimum distance 6.between pumping and reinjection site
Not regulated It depends by the site conditions
related to the breadth of the ownership.
local authorities (Region; province)
21
Provincial Territorial Coordination Plan. 22
Municipal ordinance for specific building code.
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
Recommended Extraction well upstream of the injection well
Standard23
EU
Temperature difference 7.of the reinjected water (W)24
Obligatory Temperature difference in river < 3 °C
Decree 152/2006
National
Obligatory If Q > 5 l/s: temperature difference < 5 Kelvin
Bolzano Province
Recommended and prescribed inside the authorisation acts
T max reinjection = 20 °C (MI – VA) T max reinjection = 25 °C (BG - MN) These values are related to ground water
c. relative value T allowed is (3 °C for Bergamo and 5 °C for Varese)
a) Technical Guidance for groundwater (MI-VA-MN) b) prescriptions into authorisation act for other Provinces
Provinces of Varese - Milano and Bergamo - Mantova
Temperature drop (H, 8.V)25 a. absolute allowed Tmin
b. absolute allowed Tmax
c. relative value describing
the accepted T between
disturbed and ambient
undisturbed temperature
Obligatory a. Tmin = 1 °C (4 °C if the heat carried fluid is pure water)
b. Tmax = 28 °C Tmax = 40 °C (if demonstrated that the structural function of the energy piles is not compromised)
Vicenza Province
Heat carrier fluid type 9. Obligatory List of permitted fluids (In Bolzano Province and Lombardia Region the use of corrosion inhibitors is forbidden)
Regulations Bolzano Province, Piemonte Region, Lombardia Region
Only potable water permitted Draft Regulation
Padova Province
Recommended Water or water mixed with propylene glycol or polypropylene glycol (biodegradable, non-toxic)
Provinces of Veneto (except Padova)
Refrigerant type26 10. Not allowed Decision n.15/2015
Vicenza Province
23 The extraction well shall be situated upstream of the injection well if the heat pump is only used for heating purposes (SIST EN 15450:2007, p. 11). Separation distances
between bore holes must be adequate and according to local regulations (SIST EN 15450:2007, p. 29).
24 From Lombardia docu
ment: “The temperature difference between supply and return temperature is typically between 3 K and 4 K for small systems. Larger systems
may operate with larger temperature differences. (SIST EN 15450:2007, p. 25)”.
25 From Lombardia doc
ument: “H: The temperature drop between the return temperature of the heat exchange medium and the undisturbed ground temperature,
during continuous operation, shall not be of such extent that technical problems arise during operation. A typical value for Central Europe is 12 K (UNI EN 15450).
V: The
temperature drop between the return temperature of the heat exchange medium and the undisturbed ground temperature (i.e. 10 m depth), during continuous operation,
shall not be of such extent that technical problems arise during operation. A typical value for Central Europe is 11 K (UNI EN 15450)”.
26 Regulation (EU) n. 842/2006, Regulation (EC)
n. 1005/2009, UNI EN 378-1:2008, UNI EN 378-2:2008, UNI EN 378-3:2008
.
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
The use of alcohol or other refrigerant fluids is not admitted instead the hydrocarbon refrigerant is accepted as glycol
Regulation 7/2010
Lombardia Region
Tightness – ground 11.loop and refrigerant tubing27
Obligatory Tightness of the circuit shall be checked and tested
Regulations Provinces of Veneto and Lombardia Region
Obligatory Using air it is required a pressure >= 10 bar (from 80 m the pressure must be increased by 0.1 for each meter); for at least 1 hour, the reduction of pressure allowed is < 0.2 bar. Using water it is required a pressure >= 6 bar; for at least 4 hours, the reduction tolerated is 0.5 bar.
Decision n.4081/2005
Bolzano Province
Backfilling of BHE 12. Recommended Water, cement or bentonite mixture
Regulations Provinces of Veneto, Bolzano Province, Lombardia Region, Piemonte Region
Liquidation procedure 13.after abandonment of NSGE installation a. heat pump
b. heat exchanger
V: Obligatory Borehole must be cleaned with water and filled with grout
Guidelines 2016
Piemonte Region
W: Recommended
Prescriptions are inside the disciplinary annex of each approval act (provincial level)
Regulation 2/2006
Lombardia Region
Monitoring28 14. a. W: Obligatory b. V, H: Obligatory
Energy performance control via in/out annual temperature monitoring b. > 100 kW monitoring required
Decision n.15/2015
Vicenza Province
a. V, H: Obligatory b. W: Regulated but mentioned as optional
a. > 50 kW monitoring required b. authorization requirements contained in each approval
Regulations a. 7/2010 b. 2/2006
Lombardia Region
27
e.g. UNI EN 15450:2007, EN 378-1 …
28
Operational requirements: “Operational parameters shall be controlled during commissioning and be periodically monitored in the normal running phase of the heating
system. In addition, measurement and recording of operational parameters can be used to calculate the energy performance of the heat pump in operation during a
certain period of time. These respective parameters are the feed and return temperatures of the heat source and heat sink, the electrical power consumption and the
volume flow rate (or heat meter readings)” (UNI EN 15450).
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
W: Obligatory At least 1 chemical analysis/year on abstraction/reinjection waters (MI). Analytical campaigns, the measure of temperature and reinjected water flow rate plus the pumped water flow rate (MN).
Technical guidance, for other Provinces prescriptions into the approval act
Milano, Mantova and Varese Provinces
V: Obligatory For plants with more than 100 kW at least 4 piezometers required
Guidelines 2016
Piemonte Region
Safety devices 15. V, H: Obligatory Isolating gate valve and balancing valve for each probe; cementing the borehole; safety valve for whole installation; circuit flow switch
Regulations Some Provinces of Veneto
W: Not regulated but recommended
No obligation in the rules in order to install piezometers or other safety devices
Regulation 2/2006 (provincial prescriptions into approvals)
Lombardia Region
4.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Artesian aquifers 16. Not allowed Reserved for drinking use Provincial Act 8/2002
Bolzano Province
Not allowed Guidelines 28/04/2016
Belluno Province
Regulated Covering well during the drilling process and making the well impermeable
Decision n.15/2015
Vicenza Province
Very shallow water 17.table where reinjection can be problematic
Perched 18.groundwater layers
Two or multiple 19.aquifer layers
Regulated Covering well during the drilling process and making the well impermeable
Decision n.15/2015
Vicenza Province
Mineral water 20.resources
Not allowed Decision n.2154/2009
Trento Province
Thermal water 21.resources
Not allowed Decision n.2154/2009
Trento Province
Gas occurrences 22.
Unstable ground 23.a. compressible soil
b. landslide
c. evaporate (with the risk
of swelling / dissolution)
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Contaminated soil 24. Not allowed Guidelines 28/04/2016
Belluno Province
Karst area 25. Regulated Covering well during the drilling process and making the well impermeable
Decision n.15/2015
Vicenza Province
4.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Water protection area 26.(WPA)
Not allowed
Ground Water Protection Plan (2009)
Veneto Region
Regulated Different max depth depending by the area
Decision n.15/2015
Vicenza Province
Regulated Forbidden within an area of 200 m around the uptake point
Guidelines 28/04/2016
Belluno Province
Not allowed Decision n.2154/2009
Trento Province
Not regulated …but a specific opinion is required by the competent Municipality
Lombardia Region
Natura 2000 area 27. Not regulated …but a specific approval is required by the management body of protected area
Lombardia Region
Nature protected 28.ecosystem area
Not regulated …but a specific approval is required by the management body of protected area
Lombardia Region
Flood and erosion 29.areas
Not regulated …but a specific consent is required by Basin Authority
Lombardia Region
Landslide area 30. Not allowed Guidelines 28/04/2016
Belluno Province
Not allowed Decision n.2154/2009
Trento Province
Not regulated …but a specific consent is required by Basin Authority
Lombardia Region
Riparian / coastal zone 31. Not regulated …but a specific consent is required by Basin Authority
Lombardia Region
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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4.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications29
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
NSGE (GSHP) 32.objectives a. national (in NREAP
30)
b. regional (in REAP31
)
c. local (in PTCP32
)
d. municipal
Recommended a. Definition of objectives for NSGE “geothermal energy”
33
b. Definition of objectives for NSGE “geothermal energy” c. The use of NSGE without water withdrawal is allowed with the approval of the Province d. Definition of objectives for NSGE “geothermal energy”
a. RES Decree
34 +
NREAP b. REAP c. PTCP 2008
d. SEAP35
a. National b. Lombardia Region c. Venezia Province d. Municipal
Subsidies 33. Regulated COP > X depending on the type of heat pump
RES Decree36
and other Acts/Decrees37
National
Insurance system 34. W: Obligatory Before signing the concession a bank guarantee must be paid (related to the value of environmental restoration works)
Regulation 2/2006
Lombardia Region
Certification 35.a. professionals b. organization
Not required, voluntary
Standard38
National
Borehole drilling report 36. H, V, W: Obligatory
Regulations and Guidelines
Bolzano Province, Provinces of Veneto, Lombardia Region
If D > 30 m: communication to ISPRA required
Act 464/1984
National
29
Information asked in the table "Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden." is to describe how
planning tools in the framework of public services are regulated. This could be: a) Planning: via setting the objectives (for example, in National renewable resources energy plans) regulating
subsidies and insurance system for investments; b) Providing evidences (of natural resources, energy use, …) to support planning in the general interest as
well as stimulate the effectiveness of investment by providing good data of natural resources to designers, installers, and investors;
c) Reducing bad practices by providing availability of information on natural resources and by providing education/certification schemes.
It is all about regulation of financial and mainly non-financial incentives concerning NSGE. 30 https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/dir_2009_0028_action_plan_italy.zip. Specific targets for renewable energy for heating purposes
.
31 Regional Energy Action Plan.
32 Provincial Territorial Coordination Plan.
33 Only heat pumps for which SPF > 1,15 * 1/η shall be taken into account (Commission Decision 2013/114/EU).
34 Legislative
Decree 3rd March
2011 n. 28.
35 In the framework of EU Covenant of Mayors initiative.
36 Legislative
Decree 3rd March
2011 n. 28 and specific implementation Decrees, i.e. DM 28/12/12 (Renewable Energy for Heating & Cooling Support Scheme)
.
37 Fiscal deductions for energy efficiency and RES interventions (up to 65%); white certificates mechanism (also known as Energy Efficiency Certificates -EEC) for energy
efficiency and RES.
38 UNI 11517:2013 - Heat Pump Geothermal Systems - Requirements for qualification of installing firms
providing geothermal exchanger.
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Pumping test report 37. Obligatory Regulations Provinces of Veneto
38.a. Thermal response test
report
b. Report on impact on the
underground temperature
Obligatory - Small plants (< 30 kW): TRT on 1 boring at least
- Large plants (> 50 kW): 1 TRT each 10 boring at least
- Plants with more than 100 boreholes: lab test on grouting
Piemonte Region
Large plants (> 50 kW or 10 BHEs) Regulation 7/2010
Lombardia Region
Decision n.2154/2009
Trento Province
a. Required for systems > 35 or 50 kW or installed > 800 m altitude b. Required for systems > 100 kW or with vertical probes more deep than 30 m
Regulations Provinces of Veneto
Reception of borehole 39.by the investor
Recommended Standard39
EU
Water pumping data 40.periodic report
Recommended but not regulated
Lombardia Region
Heat energy 41.production data periodic report from NSGE
Register of heat pumps 42. Obligatory and the access for operators is regulated by Open Data Legislation
40
National
Open Data41
Lombardia Region
Register of heat 43.exchanger
National
It doesn’t exist a register of exchangers
Open Data Lombardia Region
Register of NSGE 44.production
Regulated National statistics for renewable energy monitoring
NREAP + statistics system
42
National
Register of drilling data 45. W: Regulated Data related to wells and water derivations must be recorded inside of the Cadaster of Water Utilities
Open Data Lombardia Region
Register of geothermal 46.data
W: Regulated Cadaster of Water Utilities Open Data Lombardia Region
39 UNI EN 15450:2007
.
40 Digital Administration Code (Legislative Decree 82/2005 and subsequent amendments).
41 http://www.rinnovabililombardia.it/opendata; http://www.dati.lombardia.it/Ambiente/Mappa-Registro-
Regionale-Sonde-Geotermiche/drv3-2qjn. 42 SIMERI, http://www.gse.it/it/Statistiche/Simeri/Pagine/default.aspx
.
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Register of 47.groundwater abstraction
Regulated Discharges of any well must be recorded
Decree 152/2006
National
W: Regulated Cadaster of Water Utilities Open Data Lombardia Region
4.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Research/drilling 48.permit
V: Obligatory If D > 150 m: provincial permit for drillings is required
Regulations 7/2010
Lombardia Region
W: Obligatory If D < 400 m: provincial permit for drillings is required
Decree 22/2010, Regulations 6/2006
National and Lombardia Region
Obligatory, W Authorization required for any water well (geothermal wells are considered as industrial ones)
Valle d’Aosta Region
Obligatory Application for authorization + technical report + geological report
Regulations Provinces of Veneto
Obligatory Decision n.2154/2009
Trento Province
Declaration / Recorded 49.special use of water
Obligatory At the end of the authorization procedure for the excavations with D> 30 m a declaration regarding to special use of water must be send from the applicant to ISPRA
R 2/2006 Lombardia Region
Water consent 50.
Water permit 51.
Water fee 52. W: Obligatory Annual fee for energy production by geothermal resources
Decree 862/2013
Veneto Region
Concession (water 53.license)
W: Obligatory D < 400 m: provincial concession is required (water license)
Decree 22/2010, Regulation 2/2006
National and Lombardia Region
Royalty / concession 54.fee
W: Obligatory Yearly tax for groundwater discharge
Valle d’Aosta Region
Decree 22/2010
National
Yearly tax for groundwater discharge
Regulation 2/2006
Lombardia Region
Energy fee 55.
Dictionary of permitting and charging terms: English – Italian language
English term Italian term Remark
Declaration Dichiarazione
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Provincial/Regional water license of water derivations and the related digging of wells for pumping / reinjection
Concessione Provinciale/Regionale di derivazione d’acqua e relativa escavazione pozzi di presa/resa
Recorded special use of water
Registrazione usi speciali delle acque
Water consent - Permesso di utilizzo - Concessione a
derivare - Concessione di
derivazione idrica
Water right a. Recorded special use b. Water license for water derivation
Diritto d’uso dell’acqua a. Registrazione usi speciali delle acque b. concessione d’uso dell’acqua derivata
Granted by: a. Governmental agency ISPRA b. Provincial/Regional authority; The pumping wells need to be authorized for the excavation; then after receiving the notice of completion of work, a concession of water derivation is granted pursuant to Decree 1775/1933. The derivation concession is granted for use in heat pump systems. The reinjection wells must be approved with a permit to discharge granted pursuant to Decree 152/2006. The discharged waste water is classified as “water industrial waste”.
Water fee / Water charge
Tariffa Canone demaniale (per l’uso delle acque pubbliche)
The payment takes into account the principle of reimbursement of cost for the water use (including pollution, abstraction and other pressures to water environment)
Royalty
Concession fee Tariffa di concessione
National term / abbreviation Explanation
ISPRA Higher Institute for Research and Environmental Protection
PEAR Regional Energy & Environment Plan (it. Piano Energetico Ambientale Regionale)
PAN NREAP – National renewable energy action plan (it. Piano di Azione Nazionale per le energie rinnovabili)
PAES SEAP – Sustainable energy action plan (it. Piano d’azione per l’energia sostenibile)
PTCP Provincial Territorial Coordination Plan
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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5 Switzerland
5.1 Levels of regulations in Switzerland
Introduction
National legislation:
The deployment of NSGE in Switzerland is mainly regulated by the water protection legislation on the
national level. The individual cantons have to adopt the federal water protection law and decree
(introductory act, Einführungsgesetz), but are allowed to add specific requirements or regulations.
To provide a guideline for the federal and cantonal public authorities and to harmonize the execution
of the water protection law and decree, the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN (Bundesamt für
Umwelt BAFU) published two guidelines (Vollzugshilfen43/Wegleitungen44). The first publication
contains guidelines for the approval procedure/utilisation of NSGE (BAFU, 2009: Wärmenutzung aus
Boden und Untergrund – Vollzugshilfe für Behörden und Fachleute im Bereich Erdwärmenutzung).
The second one concentrates on the protection of groundwater (Wegleitung Grundwasserschutz,
BUWAL, 2004). These two guidelines are not officially binding for the cantons but are to a large
extent – adopted by the cantons. Most of the cantons published cantonal planning aids (guidelines)
or leaflets regarding the approval of NSGE which are based on the aforementioned BAFU (2009)
guideline.
Overview on the national relevant publications (act, decree, guideline, standard)
Act: Bundesgesetz über den Schutz der Gewässer (GSchG; SR 814.2045);24. January 1991
Decree: Gewässerschutzverordnung (GSchV; SR 814.20146); 28. October 1998
Guideline: Vollzugshilfe – Wärmenutzung aus Boden und Untergrund (Bundesamt für
Umwelt BAFU 2009)
Technical Standard: Schweizer Norm – Erdwärmesonden SIA 384/647;1. January 2010
Technical Standard: Schweizer Norm – Grundwasserwärmenutzungen SIA 384/748;1. April
2015
Cantonal legislation and legislation by municipalities:
The deployment of NSGE in Switzerland is also influenced by regulations of the building legislation,
which is regulated on the cantonal (regional) or even local (municipality) level. Therefore, there are
manifold solutions which can’t be described in this report. But the influence on the regulation of
NSGE is only minor. It is only relevant in respect to the minimum distance of vertical NSGE to
buildings (in some cases they can be located under the building, in other cases they need to have a
43
http://www.bafu.admin.ch/publikationen/publikation/01042/index.html?lang=de 44
http://www.bafu.admin.ch/publikationen/publikation/00378/index.html?lang=de 45
https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/19910022/index.html 46
https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/19983281/index.html 47
http://www.webnorm.ch/null/null/erdw%c3%a4rmesonden/D/Product 48
http://shop.sia.ch/normenwerk/architekt/384-7_2015_d/D/Product
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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specific distance) or neighbouring plots. Furthermore, the necessity of a building construction
approval depends on the canton resp. the municipality.
In contrast, the distance between vertical NSGE and the construction/dimensioning of groundwater
wells are given by recommendations on the national level (guideline BAFU, 2009 resp. technical
Standards SIA 384/6 and SIA 384/7).
The regulation of NSGE in areas with geological and hydrogeological challenges, e.g. artesian
aquifers, gas occurrences, karst area, contaminated or unstable soil, etc., is not standardized on the
national level. The national guideline (BAFU, 2009) lists these challenges and recommends the
individual cantons to formulate specific requirements or to forbid the installation.
For the thermal utilization of groundwater another cantonal legislation has to be considered: the
water utilization legislation (Wassernutzungsrecht: Gesetz/Verordnung). In the canton Graubünden,
Wallis and Tessin, the municipalities have the water rights.
Regulation level
1 2 3 4
NATIONAL “Schweizerische Bundesversammlung” Parliament
“Schweizerischer Bundesrat” Government
Offices: Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) “Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU)”
Societies: Swiss Society of engineers and architects “Schweizerischer Ingenieur und Architektenverein” SIA
Legal instrument
act (water protection)
decree (water protection)
indirect: act + decree guidelines (in respect to water protection) direct: Approval (water protection) of Federal projects
technical standard SIA
REGIONAL “Kantonsparlament” Parliament
“Regierungsrat” Government
Offices: Cantonal offices for the environment
Legal instrument
act (building act)
decree (building decree) decision
planning aid/ guideline leaflet decision approval (water protection)
LOCAL Municipalities
Legal instrument
building act, decree in canton Graubünden
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decision (building sector) approval (building sector)
Table 5. Dictionary of Legal instruments: English - Deutsch.
English term National term Remark
1. Act Gesetz binding on the national resp. cantonal level
2. Degree Verordnung binding on the national resp. cantonal level
3. Guidelines Vollzugshilfe, Wegleitung
not officially binding, but the national guidelines are (in general) adopted by the cantons. the guidelines (“Vollzugshilfen/Wegleitungen”) show how the national regulations should be implemented on the cantonal levels.
4. Planning aid Planungshilfe Weisung etc.
binding on the cantonal level different names in the individual cantons
5. Leaflet Merkblatt binding on the cantonal level
6. Technical standard Technische Schweizer Norm (SIA)
not officially binding, but (in general) adopted by the cantons
7. Decision Beschluss, Entscheid different names in the individual cantons
5.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Switzerland
5.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
drilling /excavating 1.below groundwater table
not allowed, allowed
for borehole heat exchangers (V) and horizontal heat exchangers not allowed allowed in case the aquifer is no drinking water reservoir and the groundwater is also no potential drinking water resource for the future NSGE – W and energy piles But not everywhere,
depends on the water protection zones
act decree
national
reinjection for NSGE-W 2. obligatory reinjection of water into the same aquifer (exceptions only when reinjection cannot be realized)
act, decree
national
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
minimum distance to 3.installations a. next building, b. drinking water well, c. other wells d. other public installations
obligatory a) the standard SIA 384/6 recommends to build NSGE-V next to buildings and to only construct the system below buildings when the space is limited the regulation depends on the individual canton
cantonal examples: Bern: 2 m Graubünden: not regulated Schwyz: not allowed below
buildings, distance not regulated
Tessin: not regulated Valais: not regulated b) no specific distances, it depends on the individual hydrogeological conditions c) + d) it is not allowed to impact other users; no specific distances are provided
standard SIA 384/6 planning aid Leaflet
national cantonal, municipality
minimum distance 4.between neighbouring NSGE installations a. heat exchanger or b. groundwater well
obligatory recommended in the standards and in general adopted by the cantons a) 5 m b) individual, large enough so
that they don’t interact (based on hydrogeological investigations/simulations)
standards a) SIA
384/6 b) SIA
384/7
national, cantonal
minimum distance to 5.neighbouring plot (property line)
obligatory depends on the canton resp. municipality In general 2.5 m (to guarantee minimum distance between two individual heat exchangers; see above) cantonal examples: Bern: 3 m (less with agreement of the neighbour) Graubünden: depends on the municipality, the canton recommends 2.5 m Schwyz: 2.5 m Tessin: 5% of the drilling length Valais: no minimum distance
cantonal, local
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
minimum distance 6.between pumping and reinjection site
obligatory depends on hydrogeological simulation
standard SIA 384/7
national, cantonal
temperature difference 7.of the reinjected water (W)
obligatory normally ±3 °C after mixing; can be more locally restricted to the injection well (100 m)
decree (water protection) guideline standard (SIA 384/7) planning aid leaflet
national, cantonal
temperature drop (H, 8.V) a. absolute allowed Tmin, b. absolute allowed Tmax, c. relative value describing
the accepted T between disturbed and ambient undisturbed temperature.
obligatory heating mode: Average minimal temperature of the heat carrier fluid -1.5 °C (difference between entry and exit of the BHE) not allowed to fall below defined boundary in 50 years of operation T at the entry/exit heat pump: 3-4 K cooling mode: max. allowed heat carrier fluid temperature depends on the materials of the BHE and back filling (must be guaranteed for 50 years of operation)
standard SIA 384/6
national
heat carrier fluid type 9. obligatory possible heat carrier fluid types are listed in Appendix 6 of the guideline BAFU, 2009. The cantons are allowed to permit other heat carrier fluid types, given that they doesn’t contain substances that could pollute water
guideline BAFU, 2009
National, cantonal
refrigerant type 10. obligatory if possible natural refrigerant; content of lubricating oil as low as possible
guideline BAFU, 2009
national
tightness – ground 11.loop and refrigerant tubing
obligatory should be tested in accordance with the technical standard SIA 384/6.
guideline BAFU, 2009, standard SIA 384/6
national
backfilling of BHE 12. obligatory requirements for the backfilling are described in the Appendix 7 of the guideline BAFU, 2009; further requirements in the standard SIA 384/6
guideline BAFU, 2009, standard SIA 384/6
national
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Regulation level
liquidation procedure 13.after abandonment of NSGE installation a. heat pump b. heat exchanger
obligatory a) not regulated b) NSGE-V and H:
extraction of heat carrier fluid, cleaning and complete backfilling NSGE-W: complete backfilling
guideline BAFU, 2009
national
monitoring 14. recommended NSGE-V and H: pressure monitoring of the heat carrier fluid system to detect possible leakages NSGE-W: periodic control of the wells
guideline BAFU, 2009
national
5.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
artesian aquifers 15. recommended not allowed or allowed with specific requirements
not regulated on the national level, but the guideline recommends to regulate it on a cantonal level as not allowed cantonal examples: Bern: not allowed Graubünden: partly allowed: needs
additional investigations and eventually requirements
Schwyz: possibly allowed after additional investigations and with depth limitation
Tessin: not allowed Valais: warning message based on
current geological knowledge: either additional investigations or limitation of the drilling depth
guideline BAFU, 2009 planning aid, leaflet
national cantonal
very shallow water 16.table where reinjection can be problematic
not regulated
perched 17.groundwater layers
not regulated
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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two or multiple 18.aquifer layers
recommended not allowed
NSGE-V: should in general not be allowed NSGE-W: water should not be modified, therefore it is not allowed to drill through (and utilise) two or more aquifer layers NSGE-V: not allowed NSGE-W: cantonal examples: Bern: not allowed Graubünden: not allowed Schwyz: not regulated Tessin: not allowed Valais: not allowed
guideline BAFU, 2009
National, cantonal
mineral water 19.resources
not regulated not specifically regulated but treated like groundwater resources
thermal water 20.resources
not regulated not specifically regulated but treated like groundwater resources
gas occurrences 21. recommended not allowed or allowed with specific requirements
not regulated on the national level, but the guideline recommends to regulate it on a cantonal level as not allowed or allowed with specific requirements cantonal examples: Bern: not allowed Graubünden: not allowed Schwyz: possibly allowed after
additional investigations and with depth limitation
Tessin: not allowed Valais: warning message, additional
investigations, limitation of the drilling depth
guideline BAFU, 2009 planning aid, leaflet
national cantonal
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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unstable ground 22.a. compressible soil b. landslide c. evaporate (with the risk of swelling / dissolution)
recommended not allowed or allowed with specific requirements
not regulated on the national level, but the guideline recommends to regulate it on a cantonal level as not allowed or allowed with specific requirements cantonal examples: Bern: not allowed (in special cases
(very few) allowed with specific requirements after additional investigations)
Graubünden: not allowed Schwyz: possibly allowed after
additional investigations and with depth limitation
Tessin: not allowed Valais: warning message based on
current geological knowledge: either additional investigations or limitation of the drilling depth
guideline BAFU, 2009 planning aid, leaflet
national cantonal
contaminated soil 23. recommended not allowed or allowed with specific requirements
not regulated on the national level, but the guideline recommends to regulate it on a cantonal level as not allowed or allowed with specific requirements cantonal examples: Bern: not allowed Graubünden: not allowed Schwyz: possibly allowed after
additional investigations Tessin: not allowed Valais: not allowed
guideline BAFU, 2009 planning aid, leaflet
national cantonal
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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karst areas 24. recommended not allowed or allowed with specific requirements
not regulated on the national level, but the guideline recommends to regulate it on a cantonal level as not allowed or allowed with specific requirements cantonal examples: Bern: not allowed Graubünden: not allowed Schwyz: possibly allowed after
additional investigations and with depth limitation
Tessin: not allowed Valais: warning message based on current geological knowledge: either additional investigations or limitation of the drilling depth
guideline BAFU, 2009 planning aid, leaflet
national cantonal
5.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
water protection area 25.(WPA)
not allowed, allowed
groundwater protection zones S1,2,3, Sh, Sm: S1, S2 and Sh: not allowed S3, Sm: NSGE-H, energy piles and thermo-active elements only allowed under specific conditions
act, decree national
natura 2000 area 26. not regulated
nature protected 27.ecosystem area
not regulated
flood and erosion 28.areas
not regulated
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
water protection area 25.(WPA)
not allowed, allowed
groundwater protection zones S1,2,3, Sh, Sm: S1, S2 and Sh: not allowed S3, Sm: NSGE-H, energy piles and thermo-active elements only allowed under specific conditions
act, decree national
natura 2000 area 26. not regulated
landslide area 29. not regulated not allowed or allowed with specific requirements
not regulated on the national level, but the guideline recommends to regulate it on a cantonal level as not allowed or allowed with specific requirements Bern: not allowed (in special
cases (very few) allowed with specific requirements after additional investigations)
Graubünden: not allowed Schwyz: possibly allowed after
additional investigations Tessin: not allowed Valais: warning message based on current geological knowledge: either additional investigations or limitation of the drilling depth
guideline BAFU, 2009 planning aid, leaflet
national cantonal
riparian / coastal zone 30. regulated NSGE in general possible in densely populated zones
decree national
Other areas 31.a. … b. …
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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5.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications49
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
NSGE (GSHP) 32.objectives a. national (in NREAP
50)
b. regional (in REAP51
)
c. local (in PTCP52
)
d. municipal
not regulated there are no specific objectives in the Swiss energy strategy 2015 and the corresponding new act. NSGE are indirectly considered by the objective to reduce the energy consumption per person until 2035 to 43% compared to the year 2000
act national
Subsidies 33. not regulated, obligatory
many cantons and some municipalities provide financial subsidies for heat pumps, in a few cases there are tax incentives; In general, the prerequisite to achieve the subsidy is the quality label “Wärmepumpen-System-Modul”
decision cantonal, local
Insurance system 34. not regulated, recommended
there is no insurance system for investments, all other insurances are recommended, but not organized systematically: - Drilling insurance (drilling
company); - principal's liability
insurance - artesian aquifer insurance
planning aid, leaflets
cantonal, local
49 Information asked in the table "public services for NSGE applications" is to describe how planning
tools in the framework of public services are regulated. This could be:
1. Planning: via setting the objectives (for example, in national renewable resources energy plans) regulating subsidies and insurance system for investments 2. Providing evidences (of natural resources, energy use,…) to support planning in the general interest as well as stimulate the effectiveness of investment by providing good data of natural resources to designers, installers, and investors 3. Reducing bad practices by providing availability of information on natural resources and by providing education/certification schemes... It is all about regulation of financial and mainly non-financial incentives concerning NSGE.
50 https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/dir_2009_0028_action_plan_italy.zip. Specific targets for renewable energy for heating purposes
.
51 Regional Energy Action Plan.
52 Provincial Territorial Coordination Plan.
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Certification 35.a. professionals b. organization
obligatory, recommended
according to the national water protection act , the person who plans, constructs, modifies and controls NSGE must have the knowledge, experience etc. to guarantee the state-of-the-art the important Swiss institution in respect of certification (and quality labels) is the Swiss heat pump association (“Fachvereinigung Wärmepumpen Schweiz, FWS)”
act national
Borehole drilling report 36. obligatory yes, done by the machine operator
guideline BAFU, 2009, standard SIA 384/6
national
Pumping test report 37. obligatory yes, necessary for the approval, concession the exploration well and pumping tests need a separate approval
guideline BAFU, 2009
national
38.a. Thermal response test
report
b. Report on impact on the underground temperature
not regulated
Reception of borehole 39.by the investor
not regulated this aspect is not regulated, but is considered by the quality label “Wärmepumpen-System-Modul”
Water pumping data 40.periodic report
recommended / obligatory
every 14 days
sum groundwater quantity (m3)
current groundwater flow (m3/h)
current temperatures before and after heat pump, difference in K
standard SIA 384/7
national
Heat energy 41.
production data periodic
report from NSGE
obligatory annual Swiss geothermal statistics
Register of heat pumps 42. Obligatory heat pump statistics
Register/Evidence of 43.heat exchanger
not regulated
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
Register/Evidence of 44.NSGE production
obligatory heat pump statistics
Register/Evidence of 45.drilling data
obligatory all cantons have a register of drilling data; sometimes publicly available in the Internet Bern: yes Graubünden: yes Schwyz: yes Tessin: yes Valais: yes
Register/Evidence of 46.geothermal data
obligatory annual Swiss geothermal statistics
Register/Evidence of 47.groundwater abstraction
all cantons have a register of groundwater abstraction; In some cantons publicly available maps for NSGE-W Bern: no Graubünden: yes Schwyz: yes Tessin: yes Valais: no
5.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications
Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
research/drilling 48.permit
obligatory approval in the context of the water protection legislation
guideline BAFU, 2009
national
declaration / recorded 49.special use of water
not required
water consent 50. obligatory declaration during the approval, concession procedure; normally on a regional (cantonal) level, in Graubünden local level (municipality)
decree cantonal, local
water permit 51. partly obligatory
in many cases a concession is necessary
act, decree
cantonal, local
water fee 52. obligatory in most cases yes (depends on the quantity of water used and/or if special rights from former times can be claimed (“ehehafte Rechte”) it is sometimes called “water fee”, sometimes “concession fee” (depending on the canton)
decree cantonal, local
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal regulation
Legislative conditions Legal instrument
Level
concession 53. partly obligatory
sometimes an approval is enough (depends on the quantity of water used)
act, decree
cantonal, local
royalty / concession 54.fee
in most cases obligatory, not required
NSGE-W: in most cases obligatory NSGE-V and H: not required
act, Decree
cantonal, local
energy fee 55. not required
Dictionary of permitting and charging terms: English – National language
English term National term Remark
water right a. water permit c. concession
Wassernutzungsrecht a) Bewilligung b) Konzession
water fee / water charge
Wasserzinsen
royalty Abgaben
concession fee Konzessionsgebühren
National term / abbreviation Explanation
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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6 Slovenia
6.1 Levels of regulations in Slovenia
Regulation level 1 2 3 4
NATIONAL PARLIAMENT GOVERNMENT MINISTRY GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY
Legal instrument 1. Constitution
2. Act
3. Decree 4. Rules
5. Standard
6. Technical guidance
7. Decision
8. Approval
9. Guidelines
REGIONAL REGION GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY
Legal instrument - 1. Decision
2. Approval
LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
Legal instrument 1. Ordinance
Table 6. Dictionary of Legal instruments: English - Slovene.
English term Slovene term Remark
Act 1. Zakon Binding on the country level
Decree 2. Uredba Binding on the country level
Rules 3. Pravilnik Binding on the country level
Standard 4. Standard Binding on the country level
Voluntary standard 5. Prostovoljni standard Not binding
Technical guidance 6. Tehnične smernice Not binding
Ordinance 7. Odlok Binding on the municipal level
Decision 8. Odločba / Sklep Binding
Approval 9. Potrdilo / Odobritev Binding
Guidelines 10. Navodila Not binding
Act (sl. Zakon) is a general legal instrument, in the order of rank directly under the constitution and
superior to other general legal instruments (http://www.evroterm.gov.si/, Slovenski pravni leksikon).
The main Acts referenced in this Deliverable are Energy Act, Waters Act, Mining Act, Construction
Act, Nature Conservation Act and Environmental Protection Act.
Decree (sl. Uredba) is a general legal instrument, enacted by the highest executive authority
(government) on the basis of the Constitution or the Act (Slovar slovenskega knjižnega jezika).
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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6.2 Near surface geothermal energy regulations in Slovenia
6.2.1 Implementation of NSGE application
Regulation element Legal
regulation
Legislative conditions Legal
instrument
Regulation
level
Drilling /excavating 1.below groundwater table
W, V: Allowed If D > 30 m or WPA: research
permit for drillings is required.
W: if D>50m: construction design has to be submitted to obtain the research permit W: if D>300m: revised mining
design has to be submitted to
obtain the research permit
Waters Act
(A. 115)
National
Reinjection for 2.NSGE-W
Obligatory If only heat is abstracted from
abstracted water.
Waters Act
(A. 7, 125)
Mining Act
(A. 2)
National
Minimum distance to 3.installations a. next building,
b. drinking water well,
c. other uses wells
d. other public installations
Obligatory Agreement of the competent
body responsible for the
waterworks, sewage systems,
transport, heating networks,
telecommunications, etc. is
required.
Constructio
n Act
(A. 74.a)
National
Minimum distance 4.between neighboring NSGE installations a. heat exchanger or b. groundwater well
Not regulated
Minimum distance to 5.neighboring plot (property line)
Obligatory a. If L < 1.5 m: written consent
of neighboring land owners.
b. e.g. Municipality of Cerkno:
-for construction such as a
boreholes: if L < 0.5 or for wells
D > 50 m: if L < 4 m then written
argument and written consent
of neighboring land owners.
a.
Constructio
n Act (A.
205)
b. Municipal
ordinance53
e.g.
Municipality
of Cerkno,
ordinance
on
municipal
spatial plan
(A. 52)54
a. National
b. Local
53
Municipal ordinance of the area specific building code
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal
regulation
Legislative conditions Legal
instrument
Regulation
level
Minimum distance 6.between pumping and reinjection site
Obligatory
Recommended
L ≥ 25 m
Extraction well upstream of the
injection well.
Mining Act
(A. 2)
Standard55
National
EU
Temperature difference 7.of the reinjected water (W)
Not regulated56
Temperature drop (H, 8.V) a. absolute allowed Tmin, b. absolute allowed Tmax, c. relative value describing
the accepted T between disturbed and ambient undisturbed temperature.
Not regulated57
Heat carrier fluid type 9. Standard58 EU
Refrigerant type 10. Standard59 EU
Tightness – ground 11.loop and refrigerant tubing
Obligatory Tightness of the circuit shall be
checked, tested in accordance
with standards.60
Decree
UL 41/1061
(A. 6)
National
Backfilling of BHE 12. Not regulated
Liquidation procedure 13.after abandonment of NSGE installation a. heat pump b. heat exchanger
Obligatory If containing ozone depleting
substances or fluorinated
greenhouse gases m > 3 kg and
if not active more than 12
months.
Decree
UL 41/1061
(A. 9)
National
54 UL RS, No. 28/2013 Odlok o občinskem prostorskem načrtu Občine Cerkno, 55
The extraction well shall be situated upstream of the injection well if the heat pump is only used for heating purposes (SIST EN 15450:2007, p. 11). Separation distances between bore holes must be adequate and according to local regulations (SIST EN 15450:2007, p. 29). 56
The temperature difference between supply and return temperature is typically between 3 K and 4 K for small systems. Larger systems may operate with larger temperature differences. (SIST EN 15450:2007, p. 25) 57
H: The temperature drop between the return temperature of the heat exchange medium and the undisturbed ground temperature, during continuous operation, shall not be of such extent that technical problems arise during operation. A typical value for Central Europe is 12 K. (SIST EN 15450). V: The temperature drop between the return temperature of the heat exchange medium and the undisturbed ground temperature (i.e. 10 m depth), during continuous operation, shall not be of such extent that technical problems arise during operation. A typical value for Central Europe is 11 K. (SIST EN 15450). 58
Regulation (EU) No 842/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009. 59
Regulation (EU) No 842/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009, SIST EN 378-1:2008, SIST EN 378-2:2008, SIST EN 378-3:2008. 60
e.g. SIST EN 15450:2007, EN 378-1… 61
Decree on the use of products and equipment containing ozone depleting substances or fluorinated greenhouse gases (Ul RS, No. 41/10).
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal
regulation
Legislative conditions Legal
instrument
Regulation
level
Monitoring 14. a. W:
Obligatory
b. V, H:
Recommended
a. V, Q, H, T
If P < 16 kW (1 l/s, 12,000 m3/y):
only volume flow meter and V
(m3/y) is required.
a. Rules62
UlRS 48/15
b.
Standard63
SISTEN
15450
a. National
b. EU
6.2.2 Installation of NSGE in special geological conditions
Regulation element Legal
regulation
Legislative conditions Legal
instrument
Level
Artesian aquifers 15. Not regulated
Very shallow water 16.table where reinjection can be problematic
Not regulated
Perched 17.groundwater layers
Not regulated
Two or multiple 18.aquifer layers
Not regulated
Mineral water 19.resources
Not regulated
Thermal water 20.resources
Not regulated
Gas occurrences 21. Not allowed If hydrocarbons could be present. Mining Act
(A. 5)
National
Unstable ground 22.a. compressible soil b. landslide c. evaporate (with the risk of swelling / dissolution)
Not regulated
Contaminated soil 23. Not regulated
Karst area 24. Not regulated
62
Rules on the recorded special use of water (Ul RS, No. 48/15), Waters Act (A.125, 127). 63
Operational parameters shall be controlled during commissioning and be periodically monitored in the normal running phase of the heating system. In addition, measurement and recording of operational parameters can be used to calculate the energy performance of the heat pump in operation during a certain period of time. These respective parameters are the feed and return temperatures of the heat source and heat sink, the electrical power consumption and the volume flow rate (or heat meter readings) (SIST EN 15450).
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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6.2.3 Installation of NSGE on protected areas or natural risk zones
Regulation element Legal
regulation
Legislative conditions Legal
instrument
Level
Water protection area 25.(WPA)
Not allowed64 If WPA II or WPA III: could
exceptionally be allowed by
Water consent, granted based
on the risk analysis.
Decree
Ordinance
National
Local
Natura 2000 area 26. Not allowed Could be conditionally allowed
by the Nature conservation
consent based on impact
assessment.
Decision National65
Nature protected 27.ecosystem area
Not allowed Could be conditionally allowed
by the Nature conservation
consent based and impact
assessment.
Decision National
Flood and erosion 28.areas
Not allowed Could be conditionally allowed
by the Water consent based on
risk assessment.66
Decision67
(by DRSV)
National
Local
Landslide area 29. Not allowed Could be conditionally allowed
by the Water consent.
Decision67
(by DRSV)
National
Local
Riparian / coastal zone 30. Not allowed Could be conditionally allowed
by the Water consent.
Decision67
(by DRSV)
National
Local
Other areas 31.a. …
b. …
64
The regulation has to be defined in the individual Decree for the certain water resource and WPA (Rules on criteria for the designation of a water protection zone, Annex 1; Ul RS, No. 15/16). In the Decrees or Ordinances that are currently in force, typically not allowed in the WPA I, II and exceptionally allowed in the WPA II, III. 65
Ministry is granting the Nature conservation consent (Nature Conservation Act (A.105 (4)), (Ul RS, No. 96/04 – official consolidated text, 61/06 – ZDru-1, 8/10 – ZSKZ-B in 46/14)) 66
Decree on conditions and limitations for constructions and activities on flood risk areas (A. 6, An. 1) (Ul RS, No. 89/08). 67
Waters Act (A. 150-153)
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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6.2.4 Public services for NSGE applications
Regulation element Legal
regulation
Legislative conditions Legal
instrument
Level
NSGE (GSHP) 32.objectives a. national (NREAP)
b. regional
c. local (LEC…)
a. obligatory
b.
c.Recommende
d
a. and b. Definition of objectives
for NSGE “geothermal energy
from heat pumps”.68
a. 2010 / 4 ktoe / 38 ktoe / 2020
[1],[2]
c. differently (The rule require
that municipalities formulate
their LEC in line with the NREAP
objectives) [3]
Energy Act
(A. 28, 29 -
LEC, A. 506
- NREAP)
b. Rules69
(A.7)
National
Local
Subsidies 33. Obligatory a) if s > 200 % (W-W) or s > 170 % (B-W)70: favorable loans /
only for households grants
(non-refundable funds)
b) in some municipalities:
grants according to specific
conditions
Energy Act
(A. 316),
Decree71
Rules72
a)National
b)Local
Insurance system 34. Not regulated
Certification 35.a. professionals
b. organization
Not required Energy Act
(A. 359)
Rules73
National
68
Only heat pumps for which SPF > 1.15 * 1/η shall be taken into account (Commission Decision 2013/114/EU). [1]
NREAP 2010-2020, http://www.energetika-portal.si/fileadmin/dokumenti/publikacije/an_ove/an-ove_eng.pdf. Definition of objectives for NSGE “geothermal energy from heat pumps”. [2]
Only heat pumps for which SPF > 1.15 * 1/η shall be taken into account (Commission Decision 2013/114/EU). [3]
Rules on the methodology and mandatory content of local energy concepts 69
Rules on the methodology and mandatory content of local energy concepts (Ul RS, No. 74/09, 3/11 in 17/14 – EZ-1). 70
s - COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 813/2013 of 2 August 2013 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of
the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for space heaters and combination heaters http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R0813&from=EN; (Javni poziv 37SUB-OB16 Nepovratne finančne spodbude občanom za nove naložbe rabe obnovljivih virov energije in večje energijske učinkovitosti stanovanjskih stavb 04.03.2016).
71
Financial resources defined in the Decree on energy savings requirements (Ul RS, No. 96/14), Energy Act (A. 317). 72
Rules on the promotion of energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, (Ul RS, No. 89/08, 25/09, 58/12 and 17/14 – EZ-1) 73
Decree on the professional training and examination of professional competence required for fitters of installations using renewable energy sources (Ul RS, No. 20/13 in 17/14 – EZ-1).
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Regulation element Legal
regulation
Legislative conditions Legal
instrument
Level
Borehole drilling report 36. Obligatory Only licensed applications
(subject liable for research
permit and water right).
Waters Act
(A.115)
Rules74
UlRS 79/07
National
Pumping test report 37. Obligatory Only licensed applications (W –
Research permit, Water right
holders)
Waters Act
(A.115)
National
Thermal response test 38.report
Not regulated
Reception of borehole 39.by the investor
Recommended Standard
(SIST EN
15450:2007
, p. 24)
EU
Water pumping data 40.periodic report
Obligatory Only licensed applications (W –
Water right holders) – it is
defined in the Decision of
granted license, how, where
what and frequency has to be
measured and reported.
Decision75
(by DRSV)
National
Heat energy 41.production data periodic report from NSGE
Not regulated
Register of heat pumps 42. Defined Only subsidized applications
Access: Public – free viewer
Data management: Eco Fund76
Register of heat 43.exchanger
Not regulated
Register of NSGE 44.production
Obligatory Only sum of geothermal energy
from heat pumps – 2-years
progress on national level.
Energy Act
(A.28 (7))
National
Register of drilling data 45. Not regulated
Register of geothermal 46.data
Not regulated
Register of 47.groundwater abstraction
Obligatory if Water consent or Water right
is granted
Access: Public – restricted
Data management: DRSV
Rules 77
UlRS 10/12
National
74
Rules on the content of application for acquireing water permit and on the content of application for acquireing groundwater research permit (Ul RS, No. 79/07) 75
Rules on the recorded special use of water (Ul RS, No. 48/15) 76
Register of subsidiezed RES and energy restoration interventions, including also NSGE (http://www.engis.si/portal.html) 77
Rules on Water Book (Ul RS, No. 10/12), Waters Act (A.108).
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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6.2.5 Permitting and charging procedures for NSGE applications
Regulation element Legal
regulation
Legislative conditions Legal
instrument
Level
Research/drilling 48.permit
Obligatory if WPA or D > 30 m Decision78
(by DRSV)
National
Declaration / Recorded 49.special use of water
Obligatory if NSGE-W < 16 kW Approval 79
(by DRSV)
National
Water consent 50. Obligatory if NSGE-W and
if WPA or PA
(proof/statement that there will
be no unacceptable impact)
Decision 80
(by DRSV)
National /
Regional
Water permit 51. Obligatory if NSGE-W > 16 kW or in WPA79 Decision81
(by DRSV)
National
Water fee 52. Obligatory 0,974 €/MWh82
if NSGE-W and
if heat abstraction > 10 MWh/y
Waters Act
(A. 124)83
Decree84
ULRS
122/07
National
Concession 53. Obligatory if thermal water is used Tw ≥ 20
°C 85
Decree for
specific
resource
National
Royalty / concession 54.fee
Obligatory if thermal water is used T ≥ 20
°C
Decree for
specific
resource
National
Energy fee 55. Not required
Dictionary of permitting and charging terms: English - Slovene.
English term Slovene term Remark
Declaration Priglasitev
78
Rules on the content of application for acquireing water permit and on the content of application for acquireing groundwater research permit (Ul RS, No. 79/07) (construction design for borehole or well has to be enclosed in the submission to the authority), Waters Act (A.115). 79
Rules on the recorded special use of water (Ul RS, No. 48/15), Waters Act (A.125, 127). 80
Rules on the content of applications for acquireing project conditions and conditions for other land use and on the content of applicatons for acquireing water consent (UL RS, No. 25/09), Waters Act (A.150-153). 81
Rules on the content of application for acquireing water permit and on the content of application for acquireing groundwater research permit (Ul RS, No. 79/07), Waters Act (A.115). 82
Decision determining the amount of water charge basis for the use of water, alluvial deposits and water areas for 2016 (Ul RS, No. 106/15). 83
Decision determining the amount of water charge basis for the use of water, alluvial deposits and water areas for 2015 (Ul RS, No. 64/14). 84
Decree on the water fee (Ul RS, No. 103/02 and 122/07). 85
Waters Act (A.7, 136)
D2.1.1 – Annex 3: NSGE regulations by countries
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Recorded special use
of water
Evidentirana posebna
raba vode
Water consent Vodno soglasje
Water right
a. Recorded special use b. Water permit c. Concession
Vodna pravica
a. Evidentirana
posebna raba
b. Vodno dovoljenje
c. Koncesija
Granted by
a. Governmental agency DRSV
Water fee / Water
charge
Vodno povračilo the payment taking into account the principle of
reimbursement of cost for the water use (including
pollution, abstraction and other pressures to water
environment)
Royalty Licenčnina
Concession fee Koncesnina
Slovene term / abbreviation Explanation
DRSV Slovenian Water Agency - governmental agency, a body affiliated to
the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning (sl. Direkcija
Republike Slovenije za vode)
AN OVE NREAP – National renewable energy action plan (sl. Akcijski načrt za
obnovljive vire energije)
LEK LEC – Local energy concept (sl. Lokalni energetski koncept)
ACER Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators