OMNI Features｜Former Italian Prime Minister: EU Needs Cheaper Energy and Better Industrial Policies to Compete with the US．Proposed Bill Seeks to Strengthen Supercritical Geothermal Research in the US．Nantou Yongfu Community Solar Pumping System Protects Habitats

｜Former Italian Prime Minister: EU Needs Cheaper Energy and Better Industrial Policies to Compete with the US
Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi stated before the release of a report commissioned by the EU in September last year that Europe must reduce energy prices, develop capital markets, and adopt stronger industrial and trade policies to maintain its competitiveness. He highlighted that Europe's productivity growth is lagging behind that of the United States, primarily due to the stronger US technology sector, particularly in AI and cloud data. Currently, electricity prices in the EU are two to three times higher than those in the US. To foster the development of energy-intensive digital technologies, the EU must lower its electricity prices.

｜Proposed Bill Seeks to Strengthen Supercritical Geothermal Research in the US
A new legislation has been proposed in the US by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas and Representative Andrea Salinas that seeks to support research, development, and testing of supercritical geothermal technologies. Supercritical geothermal, sometimes referred to as superhot rock energy, is a category of enhanced geothermal systems that requires deep drilling technologies to access dry rocks at temperatures around 400°C or greater. These systems can supply about five to ten times more energy per well compared to conventional hydrothermal systems.

｜Nantou Yongfu Community Solar Pumping System Protects Habitats: Energy Independence and Ecological Conservation Coexist
Yongfu Community in Zhongliao Township, Nantou County, has been affected by climate change, which has impacted the water sources for wildlife habitats. With assistance from the government, corporations, and various resources, residents have developed a solar-powered pumping system to supply water from downstream, addressing the depletion issue and enabling wildlife to remain within their habitats without the need to seek water elsewhere. This initiative serves as an example of community energy independence and highlights the potential for planning in response to local conditions, balancing renewable energy with ecological conservation.

Reference: Reuters｜Think Geoenergy｜Agriharvest Taiwan