| Title | Geothermal Energy and Its Economic Dimension in Turkey |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ibrahim Akkus, Onder Aydogdu, Hafize Akilli, Osman Gokmenoglu, Sinan Sarp |
| Year | 2005 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Geothermal, geothermal potential, renewable energy, residential heating, geothermal application areas, environment and energy, thermal tourism, MTA |
| Abstract | Energy demand of Turkey is increasing day by day because of Turkey's rapid development. Although Turkey has various energy resources, the available fossil energy resources do not meet the consumption needs. For this reason, Turkey has to evaluate her energy resources in the most economic manner and in a way as to make maximum usage. She also must use alternative energy resources in addition to fossil types. One of the alternative energy resources is the geothermal energy and Turkey, bearing suitable structures for the occurrence, has a significant potential on this area. In Turkey, there are 170 geothermal areas in which approximately 600 hot water resources are located. The potential of natural discharge is about 600 MWt. As a result of the 380 geothermal purposed drillings carried out by MTA (General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration), Turkey's proved thermal capacity has increased to 3293 MWt. The petroleum equivalent of the proved potential is 2480000 TEP. If this potential is used completely, a significant contribution for fuel saving as well as prevention of environmental pollution would be realized. Carrying out drilling studies in geothermal sites, where wells have not yet been drilled and carrying out development studies in areas where wells have been previously opened will significantly increase this potential and the corresponding economic support. In Turkey, the natural springs and well discharges provide a wide range of usage from fish farms to industrial applications. However, a significant part of this potential is used in thermal tourism, therapeutic uses and district heating. Studies carried out for geothermal energy research have gained importance in 1970's with the discovery of high potential areas. After the 1990's the interest shown by the private sector and municipalities have risen and today geothermal energy is being significantly used in Turkey. Electricity production, residential heating, greenhouse heating, industrial applications, thermal tourism and therapeutic uses are the main used areas. Turkey is among the first five countries in the world considering the direct usage of this energy. The direct usage capacity of geothermal energy is 1077 MWt. 619 MWt is used in residential and thermal base heating, 131 MWt in greenhouse heating and 327 MWt in 195 spas for therapeutic purposes. |