Harnessing a Renewable Resource for Sustainability: The Role of Geothermal Energy in Italy’s Business Sector

Reviewer’s Comment

Author’s Response

1.     Currently, the manuscript states that the data were designed to identify specific corporate strategies. However, it does not provide sufficient detail regarding the content of the questionnaire, the specific dimensions or constructs it aimed to measure, or the rationale behind its design.

Thank you for your insightful comment. We recognize that the initial manuscript lacked sufficient detail regarding the content and focus of the questionnaire. To address this, we have provided a more detailed explanation of the survey’s design, including the specific dimensions it measured (lines 304-314).

2.     Additionally, it remains unclear how the questionnaire was administered—whether through online platforms, face-to-face interviews, or another mode of distribution.

We have clarified that data were collected through a structured survey questionnaire administered online to decision-makers within Italian manufacturing firms that have adopted geothermal energy (lines 302-303).

3.     Further clarification is also needed regarding the respondents who participated in the survey, including their demographic and professional profiles, the selection criteria applied, and the overall response rate. Providing these details would enhance the transparency and reproducibility of the study, strengthening its methodological rigor.

Following your suggestion, we have added details on the respondents' profiles and the criteria used for their selection. The response rate is presented in the results and interpretation section (lines 298-300).

Reviewer’s Comment

Author’s Response

1.     It would be useful to compare the use of geothermal energy in other countries. Namely, what are the companies' energy costs and CO₂ emissions? A country should be chosen that is similar to Italy in terms of climate and factors.

Following your suggestions, we have drawn a comparison between Italy and New Zealand in terms of geothermal energy, considering the similarities in their installed capacity, utilization of geothermal resources, and comparable climate and geological conditions. Our research specifically focused on Italian companies and their use of geothermal energy. Consequently, we did not gather data on foreign companies’ energy costs and CO₂ emissions. We recognize that a detailed comparative analysis incorporating such data would be valuable input for future research (lines 199-208).

2.     Are there any geothermal energy sources in Italy? How much energy can they provide to business structures? It is advisable to justify and present.

The presence of geothermal resources in Italy is outlined and analysed in Section 2.2. We have further enriched this analysis by adding specific information about installed capacity and other relevant dimensions (lines 180-186).   

3.     How large is the Italian business sector and what share of energy can be replaced by an alternative energy source, geothermal energy? The need to describet.

We have provided information on the size of Italy’s business sector. We have also emphasized that the full exploitation of geothermal energy has the potential to exceed the country’s energy needs (lines 180-190).

4.     A sample of Italian small and medium-sized businesses has been made, but it is not clear on what basis? Is it costs? Or CO2 emissions? Do they use alternative energy sources?

Instead of selecting firms based on factors such as costs and CO₂ emissions, the primary criterion for sampling was the firms’ direct engagement with geothermal energy. Companies were chosen based on whether they had adopted geothermal energy either partially or fully, ensuring that the sample captured a range of adoption levels. This deliberate selection strategy allowed the study to encompass firms with varying degrees of experience in implementing geothermal solutions, providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the practical and operational implications of geothermal energy adoption (section 3.1).

5.     The environmental and economic benefits of geothermal energy remain impressive and continue to contribute to its attractiveness as a sustainable energy solution. Reducing energy costs through efficient geothermal heat supply is a competitive advantage for companies.  It is necessary to provide numerical values in the conclusions.

We have added numerical in the conclusion (lines 464-465; 482-487).