European Geothermal PhD Days
The 16th edition of the European Geothermal PhD Days (EGPD) will take place in Szeged, Hungary, in April 2025. This year, the event is organised by PhD candidates from the Department of Geology at the University of Szeged.
What is EGPD?
The European Geothermal PhD Days is an annual event organised by PhD candidates from different universities all around the continent. It was started in 2010 as an initiative of the EERA joint programme on geothermal energy and is now in its 16th instalment. Every year, between 50 and 80 young scientists from various research fields in geothermal energy come together to share knowledge and experience about this promising energy source.
No matter what stage you are at, EGPD 2025 is an excellent opportunity to (re)connect with like-minded PhD candidates and Early-Stage Researchers in the Geothermal Energy sector across Europe.
The program includes:
- Talks from geothermal experts
- Poster and presentation sessions
- Networking events
Why Szeged?
We are organizing the European Geothermal PhD Days (EGPD) in Szeged to showcase the city's exceptional geothermal energy potential and its innovative initiatives in utilizing this renewable resource.
Szeged is situated in the Southern Great Plain region of the Pannonian Basin, where the geothermal gradient is favourable for harnessing geothermal energy. In addition to balneological and agricultural uses, nine municipalities within a 50 km radius utilize geothermal energy for their district heating systems. Szeged stands out as a model for integrating geothermal solutions into urban environments, boasting one of the largest district heating systems in Europe, second only to Reykjavik. The city currently supplies geothermal heat to 23 heating districts, serving over 27,000 apartments and 469 institutions.
Hosting the conference here will provide participants with valuable insights into the practical applications of geothermal energy, highlight ongoing projects, and foster collaboration among PhD candidates, researchers, and industry professionals. This event not only promotes knowledge sharing but also emphasizes Szeged's pivotal role as a leader in geothermal energy development in Central Europe.
University of Szeged
The University of Szeged has focused significant attention in recent years and decades on large-scale projects prioritizing energy efficiency and environmental awareness, as well as on energy-saving and eco-friendly technologies. Solar power generation now affects the entire university infrastructure, resulting in tens of millions of forints in savings while reducing the university’s ecological footprint.
The green developments at the József Attila Study and Information Center, eco-conscious university buildings, geothermal energy initiatives, and university campaigns promoting energy efficiency all reflect the university community's commitment to the green university program.
Since 2010, the University of Szeged has consistently improved its ranking in the Indonesian "UI GreenMetric Ranking of World Universities" survey. In 2019, our university ranked among the best: 77th among 780 institutions worldwide, 33rd among European universities, and 1st among Hungarian universities.