A group was set up to devise a strategy for geothermal development that conforms with global environmental expectations for the 21st century. The group developed the concept of EIMY-Energy In My Yard, which proposes that local energy demands should be met by an optimum combination of local, renewable sources to the maximum degree permitted by technical and economic considerations. Shortfalls and surpluses in local energy production would be accommodated by interfacing with the national grid. The group also discussed the roles that the various types of renewable energy could play within the EIMY framework, according to their nature, ubiquity, and capacity. An integrated renewable energy simulator was used to identify optimum combinations of sources for different situations. Installation and operating costs were assigned at current market rates without weighting for advantages such as low CO2 emissions. The results demonstrated that integrated renewable energy systems are cost-effective in the medium and long term. Geothermal energy plays a key role as a source of heat in such systems. (C) 2003 CNR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.