Record Details

Title Geothermal Energy Resources in Albania-Country Update Paper
Authors Alfred FRASHERI
Year 2015
Conference World Geothermal Congress
Keywords Albania, Geothermal Energy
Abstract Resources of Geothermal Energy of low enthalpy in Albania, and the platform for their direct use are presented in the paper. Large numbers of geothermal energy of low enthalpy resources are located in different areas of Albania. Thermal waters are sulfate, sulfide, methane, and iodinate-bromide types. Thermal sources are located in three geothermal zones: Kruja geothermal zone represents a zone with bigness geothermal resources, in carbonate reservoirs. Ardenica geothermal zone is located in the coastal area of Albania, in sandstone reservoirs. Peshkopia geothermal zone at northeastern area of Albania. Several springs are located with disjunctive tectonics of the gypsum diapir. The geothermal situation in Albania offers three directions for the exploitation of geothermal energy: Firstly, the use of the ground heat flow for space heating and cooling, by borehole heat exchanger-heat pumps systems. Secondly, thermal sources of low enthalpy are natural sources or wells in a wide territory of Albania. They represent the basis for a successful use of modern technologies for a complex and cascade exploitation of this energy: 1. SPA clinics for treatment of different diseases and hotels for eco-tourism. 2. The hot water for heating and sanitary waters of the SPA and hotels, greenhouses and aquaculture installations. 3. From thermal waters it is possible to extract chemical microelements. Thirdly, the use of deep abandoned oil and gas wells as “Vertical Earth Heat Probe”. Actually in Albania has been published “Atlas of Geothermal Resources in Albania” (CD Format, 2004), and “Geothermal Atlas of Albania and platform for use of Earth’s Heat” (2013) by Academy of Sciences of Albania and Faculty of Geology and Mining. Geothermal team of the Faculty of Geology and Mining and Department of Energy of Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, during (2007–2009) has worked for the Project: “Platform for integrated and cascade use of geothermal energy of low enthalpy in the framework of energetic balance of Albania”, in the framework of the National Program for Research and Development, “Water and Energy” (2007-2009). Have been published a monograph: “Space Heating/Cooling Borehole-Vertical Heat Exchanger-Heat Pump System” (2010). In same time, we have prepared first part of three project ideas: “Geothermal Center for intedrated and cascade direct use of geothermal energy of Kozani-8 well, near Elbasani City” (spa-hotel with hot pools, greenhouse and aquaculture instalations (spirulina and fisch), Project idea for space heating of Korça University using borehole-vertical heat exchanger-heat pump system, and project idea for set up of the “Geo-Energy Ressouces Laboratory” in the Department of Energy reasources, Faculty of Geology and Mining. . These three last projects await investment into geothermal exploration. “Use of environ friendly Geothermal Energy”, UNDP-GEF SGP Tirana Office sensitizing project. Albanian Geothermal Energy Low Draft was prepared in the framework of this Project. Video-cassette and Sensitizing Brochure were prepared. Periodically, results of the geothermal energy studies in Albania have been published and presented in International Symposiums, Conferences and Workshops. Is working for construction of the demonstrative installations for space heating (schools, kindergartens, and business buildings) using borehole-heat pump system in different cities of the country. Until now such systems were built7 installations in five cities of Albania. The Promemory “Earth Heat is an alternative, environ friendly renewable energy, which is
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