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At present, there is a lot of interest in finding new energy sources because energy consumption is much above energy production. Geo-thermal energy is part of the category of renewable energies and a non-polluting green energy. Humans have used hot water springs from times immemorial for different purposes. Statistics show that Romania has an outstanding potential in geo-thermal water resources: it ranks third in Europe after Greece and Italy. However, geo-thermal waters are underestimated. The authors of this paper present the main localities in the Western Plain with geo-thermal resources and point out the possibilities of valorising them thus contributing to the development of the communities in the context of circular economic development. Geothermal waters can be used to heat dwellings (buildings, tap water, greenhouses, etc.), to produce electricity at very low costs and to develop tourism activities that could contribute to the economic growth of the area. The research confirms that in Romania there are many places that have geo-thermal water, but investments in this area are needed. Geothermal energy can, at least at local level, contribute significantly to the decrease of fossil fuel consumption economically competitive, thus leading to a decrease of imports of fossil fuels and of combustion pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last three enlargements of the EU have brought under scrutiny the current Eastern periphery of the EU: eleven countries with similar contemporary political backgrounds, slightly different rhythms of economic development, but with comparable announced ambitions concerning Europe 2020 targets. These countries have always been considered less dynamic (economically, socially, politically) than the Northern and Western parts of EU. Despite the economic crisis registered within the Community territory at the end of the last decade, the Eastern EU periphery has had, overall, a positive rhythm of growth. With this sustainable current trend, the gaps between EU member states are slowly, but gradually reducing. The main purpose of this paper is to see if there is a connection between the economic growth in Eastern Europe and EU targets regarding investments in the regional development of these countries. A series of indicators have been analysed at different levels (GDP per capita, Employment rate, Atrisk-of-poverty rate, Business demography, etc) in order to highlight the economic sectors where growth has been registered. A qualitative analysis has also been carried out to see what political documents elaborated by the EU regarding investments in regional development for 2014-2020 programming period are targeting specifically the Eastern Europe countries and what sectors represent the main focus of EU policies. By mapping the results, patterns were identified concerning the sectors targeted by EU policies where growth has been registered. Minor, but visible differences were recorded between the dynamics of Eastern Europe countries' economic sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EU countries are largely heterogeneous group. Heterogeneity is given by historical development, as well as geographic localization, or cultural and social specifics. Main aim of EU is to realize social and environmentally sustainable economic development. One of the tools to achieve that state is effort to increase energy efficiency of economies. In this paper we identify degree of similarity of EU countries in implementing the processes of improving the energy efficiency balance, using the selected indicators of energy efficiency and economic development. Using the historical data we also analyse changes in the development and in the structure of similarity of EU countries [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]