At the end of 2006 , in a context crying out for development, BRGM created a department devoted almost entirely to geothermal energy. It was a decision that reflects BRGM's wish to increase its contribution to the geothermal energy boom , helping to promote and develop the use of this energy source in France and Europe , and also internationally, in all its forms.

Heavily involved in this field for more than 30 years ,
BRGM has been concentrating its actions in two main areas:

1. The integratation of geothermal energy in construction design (heat pumps, heating networks, etc.)

Participating in the geothermal energy boom involves facilitating the decisions of the contracting authorities, contractors and various professionals who are involved when geothermal heat is selected as the energy solution for heating purposes, whether this be for housing or for industrial, agricultural, leisure activities, etc. In this area, BRGM:

• undertakes, in partnership with ADEME and local authorities, support actions for public policies concerning the development of geothermal industry subsectors,
• carries out research for incorporating geothermal energy into the energy solutions for buildings.

2. The development of knowledge relating to the geothermal resource and its use

BRGM's position as France 's reference institution for the Earth Sciences, makes it the natural player for working on the geothermal resource, be it for electricity or heat. Research concerns the deep resources of sedimentary basins, such as the Paris Basin, as much as the more conventional fields in volcanic contexts, such as in France's overseas Départements , and experimental new generation systems, in particular at Soultz-sous-Forêts where a major research project started 20 years ago is about to enter a determining phase.

Furthermore, two BRGM subsidiaries are active in the geothermal field :