The ENGINE project (ENhanced Geothermal Innovative Network for Europe) is a co-ordination action supported by the 6th Research and Development framework of the European Union. Its main objective is the co-ordination of the present research and development initiatives for Unconventional Geothermal Resources and Enhanced Geothermal Systems, from resource investigation and assessment stage through to exploitation monitoring.

The Co-ordination Action will provide (1) an updated framework of activities concerning geothermal energy in Europe, including the integration of scientific and technical know-how and practices, the evaluation of socio-economic and environmental impacts; (2) the definition of innovative concepts for investigation and use of Unconventional Geothermal Resources and Enhanced Geothermal Systems; groups of experts will present a ”Best Practice Handbook”; (3) a scientific and technical ”European Reference Manual” including the information and dissemination systems developed during the Co-ordination Action.

The links established between research and development teams, national development programmes, industrial partners and international agencies will be used to promote the geothermal energy as a major renewable and sustainable source of energy and to propose innovative high-level medium- to longer-term research projects