The Rome city council and the national institute of geophysics and vulcanology are evaluating the possibility of using hot water from natural geothermal cisterns below 100 metres in certain areas of Rome. Hot water from these sources was used by the Romans in the thermal baths of Caracalla and Diocletian and could now be exploited to provide energy for heating air conditioning.

The first experimental project will be in Via Giustiniano Imperatore in the Garbatella area of Rome. If the project proves a success, further systems could be installed in other areas of the city which contain the hot water cisterns.