Geothermal Energy for District Heating: A Sustainable Urban Solution<br /><br />By: Eng. Abdullah Marza Hamza<br /><br />Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed:<br /> Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy<br /> Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities<br /> Goal 13: Climate Action<br /><br />Geothermal energy is a renewable resource derived from the Earth’s internal heat. It provides a stable, clean, and low-emission source of energy suitable for direct-use applications such as district heating.<br /><br />District heating systems using geothermal sources distribute hot water or steam through insulated pipelines to residential and commercial buildings in urban areas. This system significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.<br /><br />Geothermal heating is especially effective in regions with accessible geothermal reservoirs, where its deployment can help cities achieve energy independence and climate resilience. Additionally, these systems operate with high efficiency and long service life.<br /><br />The initial investment and drilling costs can be high, but long-term benefits in operational savings and environmental impact outweigh the challenges. As technology improves, geothermal heating offers a scalable solution for sustainable urban development.<br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University – The No. 1 Private University in Iraq