Steam Joins Horizon Europe EMPOWER Project to Advance Low-Temperature Geothermal and Waste Heat Power Generation

Steam is pleased to announce its participation in EMPOWER, a new research and innovation project funded under the European Union's Horizon Europe programme and coordinated by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The Project brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of academic and industrial partners from across Europe, including Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania), Exergy (Italy), Buzzi (Italy), Aperam (Belgium), and Steam (Italy). EMPOWER focuses on one of the most significant opportunities in the energy sector: improving the utilization of low-temperature geothermal resources and industrial waste heat streams. While higher-temperature resources are already widely used for power generation, vast quantities of heat below 150°C remain largely untapped due to technical and economic limitations. To address this challenge, the Project will develop and evaluate advanced Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) concepts based on two-phase expansion technology. The objective is to increase conversion efficiency and improve the commercial viability of power generation from lower-temperature heat sources, expanding the range of projects capable of contributing to Europe's decarbonization goals. Within the consortium, Steam will provide expertise in geothermal resource development, project assessment, and the practical integration of innovative technologies into real-world geothermal applications. By bringing together research institutions, technology providers, and industry stakeholders, EMPOWER aims to help accelerate the deployment of more efficient and economically viable solutions for geothermal energy and industrial waste heat recovery across Europe. The Project is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme.