| Abstract |
Geothermal energy can be used both for electricity generation and direct applications depending on the enthalpy and chemistry of the resource. High to medium enthalpy resources are used for electricity generation while medium to low resources are mainly used for the direct applications. Geothermal energy in Kenya has been primarily used for electricity generation mainly because of lack of focused attention on direct applications. On commercial level, direct applications are only at Oserian Development Company, a privately owned flower growing firm where geothermal fluid is used to provide heat for greenhouse heating. Minor uses are at the Lake Bogoria Spa Resort where geothermally heated water from a hot spring is channeled to warm a swimming pool and at Eburru where a shallow steam wells provide heat energy for drying agricultural products and the condensed steam is used as drinking water. Cascaded utilisation of geothermal energy ensures efficient and cost effective utilisation of the available energy. It is hereby proposed that energy from the two shallow wells at Eburru be used in a cascaded manner for drying of agricultural products, greenhouse heating, honey purification, poultry hatching, recreational facility in a steam sauna and for provision of the much needed potable water. This will be used as a demonstration centre for utilisation of geothermal energy as well as a source of income to the local community. An assessment the energy potential and chemistry of the fluid from the two shallow steam wells needs to be carried out to assess the technical viability of the intended uses as well as establish whether there is a need to drill a new well for this project. The cost of undertaking this project has been estimated to be about USD 40,000. |