Focus: introducing the WAGEs shallow-geothermal infrastructure, sharing testing methods, and discussing how the facilities will support research, training, and industry collaboration in Cyprus.
Why this workshop
We brought together researchers, engineers, and practitioners to walk through the new infrastructure and how it will be used for testing, demonstrations, and skills development. The program blended short technical talks with an interactive segment to connect the dots from tests to data to design decisions for real projects.
Agenda at a glance
10:00 – 11:00 — Plenary session
- Welcome & Introduction (5′) — Lazaros Aresti
- Project Overview & Objectives (10′) — Paul Christodoulides
- Thermal Response Test (TRT) (15′) — Bartłomiej Ciapała
- Enhanced TRT concept (15′) — Andreas Theodosiou
- Shallow Geothermal Systems: Case studies in Cyprus (15′) — Christos Taki
11:00 – 11:20 — Coffee break (20′)
11:20 – 12:30 — Infrastructure Interaction (75′)
Hands-on discussion and Q&A around the facilities, instrumentation, and how partners can access and use the setup for studies and pilot projects.
Session highlights
The workshop opened with Lazaros Aresti framing how the WAGEs infrastructure lowers barriers to shallow-geothermal adoption in Cyprus, followed by Paul Christodoulides outlining project objectives around capacity building, high-quality datasets, and practical design guidance. Bartłomiej Ciapała then walked through the fundamentals of the Thermal Response Test (TRT)—its setup, data, and role in reliable heat-exchanger sizing—before Andreas Theodosiou introduced an enhanced TRT concept using richer sensing and dynamic inputs to capture more realistic subsurface behavior and improve model calibration. Rounding things off, Christos Taki shared Cyprus case studies that connected design choices to measured performance, highlighting lessons for urban constraints, foundation options, and seasonal load management.
Infrastructure Interaction
Participants explored how to:
- Plan tests (TRT and enhanced TRT), define objectives, and select instrumentation.
- Participate in joint studies, student projects, and industry pilots.
Key takeaways
- Data-driven design: TRT—and its enhanced variants—provide the ground truth for reliable sizing and lifecycle performance.
- Local relevance matters: Cyprus-specific data accelerates adoption by reflecting our soils, climate, and building practices.
- Open collaboration: The infrastructure is a shared platform for research, teaching, and industry demonstration.
Thank you
A big thank-you to all speakers and attendees for the thoughtful questions and lively discussion. Your feedback will shape upcoming tests, training activities, and publications.
Get involved
Interested in using the infrastructure, proposing a case study, or joining a training session?
Contact us via the WAGEs website and include your project type, expected loads, and any planned foundation concept (boreholes, piles, slabs, retaining walls). We’ll follow up with options for testing and collaboration.