Results
Expected results include:
- Development of new, more bioavailable silica-based food supplements.
- Production of industry-grade concentrated silica nanofluids.
- Creation of innovative biostimulants that reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides
in agriculture.
The REGEOSS project is expected to have a significant impact across various domains, including environmental sustainability, economic growth, and technological innovation. Here's a detailed overview of the anticipated impacts:
Environmental Impact
1. **Reduction in Silica Waste**: By recovering silica from the residual fluids of geothermal plants, the project aims to reduce the environmental burden associated with silica disposal. This directly contributes to minimizing the ecological footprint of geothermal power generation.
2. **Enhanced Sustainability of Geothermal Operations**: Effective silica management can increase the efficiency and lifespan of geothermal power plants by reducing scaling and corrosion issues. This leads to more sustainable and cost- effective operations.
3. **Promotion of Circular Economy**: The project exemplifies the principles of the circular economy by transforming waste products into valuable raw materials, thereby creating a closed-loop system that enhances resource efficiency.
Economic Impact
1. **New Market Opportunities**: By developing innovative products such as food supplements, industrial nanofluids, and agricultural biostimulants derived from geothermal silica, the project opens up new market opportunities for consortium members.
2. **Competitive Advantages**: The natural and sustainable label of the products, along with improved efficacy due to the high bioavailability of silica, could allow consortium companies to command a premium in the market.
3. **Job Creation**: The project is expected to create jobs both directly, through increased operations and product development, and indirectly, through the supply chain and related services.
Technological Impact
1. **Advancements in Material Science**: The project will push the boundaries of material science by developing new methods to process and utilize geothermal silica for diverse applications.
2. **Innovation in Product Development**: By harnessing the properties of colloidal silica, the project aims to introduce products with enhanced functionality, such as higher nutritional value in supplements or increased efficacy in industrial applications.
3. **Enhancement of Research and Development Capabilities**: The collaboration among research institutions and industry partners will enhance R&D capabilities and foster innovation in sustainable technologies.
Social Impact
1. **Health Improvements**: Food supplements developed through the project are expected to offer health benefits due to the bioavailability of silica, which is important for bone health, skin, hair, and nail quality.
2. **Agricultural Benefits**: The use of silica-based biostimulants in agriculture can improve crop resilience to environmental stresses, increase yields, and reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, contributing to safer and more sustainable farming practices.
Broader Impacts
1. **Policy and Regulatory Influence**: Successful demonstration of the project's outcomes can influence policy and regulatory frameworks, especially concerning the management of geothermal by-products and the labeling of & natural health supplements.
2. **Educational Contributions**: The project will also contribute to educational fields by providing case studies and data for academic research in sustainability, resource management, and environmental science.
Overall, the REGEOSS project is poised to deliver substantial impacts by converting an environmental challenge into a series of economic and technological opportunities, driving forward the goals of sustainability and innovation.