| Abstract |
The use of geothermal resources in Ecuador is presently limited to a number of private spas and public recreation centers. In 2020, the total installed capacity for direct heat applications was 5.16 MWt. Preliminary studies commissioned by the Ecuadorian Electric Corporation-CELEC EP were conducted on the Chalpatán geothermal field in 2012. These were executed by the Spanish General Engineering and Survey Company-CGS. Although, initially thought to be a suitable high enthalpy resource for electric power generation, the best scenario obtained from the conceptual model revealed a maximum temperature of 120°C, thus more suitable for direct utilization. Therefore, the field remains under the research scope of the National Institute for Geological and Energy Research - IIGE for possible future direct use purposes. The province of Carchi, where the Chalpatán geothermal field is located has a great agricultural potential for farmers to practice horticulture, aquaculture, cereal and dairy farming, and livestock rearing. The suitability to establish an industrial park with thermal energy from the Chalpatán geothermal field is the main topic discussed in this paper. The assessment considers a number of factors that include: 1) Possible scenarios for the introduction of low and medium enthalpy geothermal resources into the Ecuadorian industrial matrix, 2) proposed industries for the geo-industrial park, 3) a triple bottom line descrption of the province where the resource is located, 4) energy supply and demand, 5) equipment sizing and costing, and 6) project profitability. Two scenarios were considered for the energy supply: 1) Brine from low enthalpy and low-pressure geothermal wells extracted and delivered through heat exchangers and insulated pipes at a distance of 1-2 km, 2) a binary cycle power plant for electricity generation and cascade use of residual heat for direct use purposes. Results of the assessment indicate a favorable scenario for the development of a geo-industrial complex in the area. Moreover, the province where the resource is located would greatly benefit from the utilization of low and medium grade geothermal heat. Nonetheless, the role of the government in securing proper funding for an exploratory drilling operation to confirm the geothermal reservoir remains crucial. |