| Abstract |
Low-temperature geothermal systems are widespread in sedimentary formations of continental regions of the Earth’s crust, and through efficient low enthalpy technology nowadays these renewable geothermal energy resources can be accessed and utilized. However, as the potential of different geothermal sites might vary an evaluation and ranking is necessary, which requires reliable estimates about heat source and reservoir characteristics. In case well data for a site are already available, a relatively straightforward and established methodology is available to develop these estimates. But for many sites adequate well or subsurface data in general, like temperature gradient, reservoir temperature, and hot water flow rates, for example, is often not available, like for all hot spring sites in Southern Thailand. Hence, for these sites, a preference analysis via a positive attitude factor analysis was applied that uses all available data and information classified into four fractions combining altogether 20 factors: (1) all available exploration efforts, (2) available heat sources and reservoir data, (3) land use parameter, including geological hazards, and (4) market factors, including proximity to possible market. Ranking criteria are given to each factor to indicate its relative importance in the assessment. Normalized scores of the positive attitude factors method are given from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest), which are independent variables that relate to the characterization of each factor. Subsequently, the scores of all factors will be summarized into a total score, which is an indication if a site has a good potential to be developed or not; a higher total score is better than a lower one. A final ranking for the hot springs in Southern Thailand shows that out of 30 sites currently two hot springs sites have a good potential, both in terms of geothermal resources and economic availabilities for further development. |