| Abstract |
This article summarizes the geothermal research activity in Bolivia in the last few years (1995 - 1999). Among these researches, the Studies of Certification of Potential of the Field Sol de MaÒana of Laguna Colorada, carried out between 1996 and 1997, stands out. This work was done to reevaluate and to certify the existence of the geothermal potential, in order to propose its commercial development. With this purpose, and with the objectives of raising the technical dependability to the international level and encouraging private investment in the Project, ENDE contracted the engineering services of the Federal Commission of Electricity (CFE) of Mexico. The Studies of Certification of the Potential, comprised the following works: - Geological control - Sampling of springs - Testing and measuring in the wells - Numeric simulation of the field - Economic and financial evaluation - Environmental analysis The results of the Study of Certification indicate that the field possesses excellent thermal and hydraulic conditions and is considered a very important energy resource with a capacity on the order of 280 to 370 MW. According to the production of the wells of Sol de MaÒana, the registrations and tests made of the numeric simulation of the reservoir certified that it is possible to generate at least 120 MW for a duration of 25 years by installing 2 condensation power generating stations of 60 MW each (2 x 60 MW). To assess the behavior of the reservoir during a low level of exploitation, and to take advantage of the existent geothermal vapor in the wells, as well as to have reliable design parameters for the power station of 120 MW and aspects for the handling of the resource, it is initially recommended to install a Pilot Plant of 5 MW, to the well. The generated energy will be available for distribution in the local market: mining, factories, processors of minerals, rural population, etc. |