| Abstract |
Despite the huge success in electricity generation in Kenya, there are limited direct use applications of the country’s vast geothermal energy potential. Studies have shown that Kenya has an installed thermal energy capacity of 22.40 MWt, annual energy use of 50.70 GWh/year with a capacity factor of 0.26 but boasts of few successful direct use applications compared to other parts of the world. The Oserian Greenhouses using the geothermal resource for the cut flower farming and the geothermal spas in Olkaria and Bogoria areas are the most successful direct use applications. Therefore, KenGen is in the process of establishing an industrial park within the Olkaria Geothermal area. The idea is to utilize available and abundant geothermal resources for industrial purposes to tap environmental, economic, and social benefits for the country. These geothermal resources include cheap electricity generated from the geothermal power plants, more than 2000 t/h of brine from several separator stations at 130°C. Other sources include steam from low to medium enthalpy wells, wells with unique characteristics e.g. cyclic wells, CO2 or SiO2 rich wells, and also drilled wells that are located far from the existing power plants. The identified industrial applications within the park include textile, steel and glass manufacturing, eco-friendly fertilizer production, milk processing, and crop drying facilities. Other ongoing research opportunities include mineral extraction from brine and carbon capture for various applications. A design to promote an exchange of resources among these processes in a cascade approach will result in better resource utilisation and enhance sustainability. The use of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technologies make more efficient use of geothermal resources. This is realised by cascading the geothermal fluid to successively lower temperature applications, thereby dramatically improving the economics of the entire system. The main aim is to assess the possibility of a stronger circular economy by optimizing the use of materials, energy, and wastes in a sustainable circular approach. Material Flow Analysis is used as the main method to optimize the flow of resources as well as identify opportunities that could arise within the cluster of companies. By promoting the industrial symbiosis innovative concept between firms, ensures the wastes of one industry become the raw materials for another industry hence, minimizing waste and enhancing resource use efficiency. These innovative technologies will upscale the planned KenGen Green Energy Park and its development guided by best practices of an Eco-Industrial Park (EIP). |