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The Environmental Impact of Geothermal Industry

The Environmental Impact of Geothermal Industry. by D. Mendrinos and Dr. C. Karytsas Centre for Renewable Energy Sources February 2006. Geothermal Energy = the heat of the earth. Shallow (Geothermal Heat Pumps) Hydrothermal Systems Low Enthalpy High Enthalpy Enhanced Geothermal Systems.

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The Environmental Impact of Geothermal Industry

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  1. The Environmental Impact of Geothermal Industry by D. Mendrinos and Dr. C. Karytsas Centre for Renewable Energy Sources February 2006

  2. Geothermal Energy= the heat of the earth • Shallow (Geothermal Heat Pumps) • Hydrothermal Systems • Low Enthalpy • High Enthalpy • Enhanced Geothermal Systems

  3. Geothermal Heat Pumps • COP = Heat Delivered / Electricity = 4 - 6 • CO2 emissions reduction: • ~ 40% vs Air-Source-Heat Pumps • ~ 45% vs Natural Gas • ~ 50% vs Diesel Oil • Adverse Impact: Refrigerant Leaks

  4. Low Enthalpy Hydrothermal Fields • emissions reduction: CO2, CO, C, SOx, NOx • CO2 rich geothermal fluids in Nigrita:  1/15 – 1/20 CO2 of fossil fuels • Measures: uses in cascade • Fluid Chemistry: Cl-, B, As, NH4+, Hg, Metals • Solution: reinjection • Water level drop in shallow aquifers • Solution: reinjection

  5. High Enthalpy Hydrothermal Fields • Separated brine: as in low enthalpy • Steam: H2S, silica • Solution: eliminate steam losses except safety valves … • non condensable gasses  cooling tower • Last option: H2S treatment plant

  6. Steam: CO2

  7. Steam: CO2

  8. Steam: CO2

  9. Steam: CO2

  10. Steam: CO2

  11. Steam: CO2

  12. Steam: CO2

  13. Measures • Increase conversion efficiency 1% efficiency rise  5% CO2 / kWh less • Geothermal cogeneration of heat & power in cascade  40% CO2 / kWh less waste heat use  80% CO2 / kWh less

  14. Other Impact • Micro-seismic activity action: monitor • Soil subsidence action: plant design, monitor topography • Noise action: plant design, noise barriers

  15. Other Impact • Damage to local flora action: no hot brine/steam on plants • Aesthetics action: plant design • Heat Pollution action: reinjection, waste heat use

  16. Enhanced Geothermal Systems • 100% CO2 emissions reduction • No adverse environmental impact • When linked to hydrothermal systems • Heat Pollution • Micro-seismic activity

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