| Title | Study on the Sozio- Economic Framework for the Use of Geothermal Energy in Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Authors | Thomas Mathews , Karin Kessels , Egbert Jolie, Jörg Witz , Barbara Schmitd-Sercander |
| Year | 2008 |
| Conference | Asian Geothermal Symposium |
| Keywords | Socio-economic study, electricity generation, direct use, fracture and fault zones, meteoric waters, Vietnam, location Hoi Van, geothermal electricity generation costs, cogeneration, industrial use, cold storage facilities, ORC plant. |
| Abstract | FUGRO CONSULT GmbH and the Transfer Office for Efficient and Renewable Energy Use was commissioned by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Hannover, Germany to work on the study concerning the socioeconomic framework for use of geothermal energy in Vietnam in cooperation with the project partner CEVIHEGEO, Vietnam. During the project 6 locations in southern central Vietnam were investigated: Tu Bong, Phu Sen, Thach Tru (Mo Duc), Nghia Thuan, Hoi Van and Kon Du. The study provides a link between economic analysis and geological conditions. The economic analysis shall estimate actual costs of a geothermal power plant at the sites Hoi Van and Thach Tru taking into consideration local geological conditions and existing geoscientific investigations. The interviews and the field trip were prepared by the DGMV and the CEHIVEGEO. Information was collected during the meetings with the major institutions of the electricity sector: Ministry of Industry and Trade, Institute of Energy, Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam and Electricity of Vietnam. During these meetings several issues were discussed like the existence of subsidies of the state of Vietnam and of other potential financial supporters for small and medium-sized enterprises in the domains of utilization of energy use, energy efficiency and renewable energies. Even though, in the National Power Sector Master Plan in the period of 2006-2015, the yearly increase of renewable energy was politically decided and publicized, there are no federal instruments for the promotion of geothermal power generation. According to the principle of minimal costs, electricity is bought from EVN across the nation. According to the evaluated reports the geological setting, together with the chemistry of the fluids and gases, strongly suggests that the thermal springs represent hydrothermal systems that have developed in fracture and fault zones caused by deformations in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. All geothermal waters are considered to be predominantly meteoric waters that are heated in a normal or elevated thermal gradient with no magmatic associations. The best prognosis for successful geothermal electricity generation was determined for the location Hoi Van. Specific electricity generation costs of 11 ¢/kWhel were roughly calculated for the best suited scenario with electricity generation by ORC plant and water recooling by a river. In the scope of the project workshop on 12th March 2008 in Hanoi the participants recommended to perform a pilot project at the location Hoi Van and to involve the different stakeholders. The best economic efficiency can be reached with the combination of geothermal electricity generation and direct use of the residual heat at one location. In the scope of this cogeneration the provided residual heat is delivered for a prize of 3.9 – 4.7 ¢/kWhth. For industrial use, the current electricity sales price amounts 15.5 ¢/kWh. It is efficient to generate electricity on site for industrial customers, who can use the residual heat of the geothermal power plant for their operating process. In rural areas for communities it can be efficient to generate electricity by thermal energy and use the residual heat for drying goods to replace other expensive technologies like diesel power generators. In this case a promotion by CDM projects, World Bank or Asian Development Bank can be applied and useful. The requirement for these projects is that the government submits a road map for projects in future dealing with renewable energies. It is suggested to conduct a prefeasibility study for geothermal electricity generation and the use of residual heat. Cooling for cold storage facilities with geothermal heat is probably the most interesting utilization possible. Cold storage facilities have to be settled next to thermal springs already to use the thermal water. In addition, it is suggested to conduct a prefeasibility study for direct use of geothermal heat for the locations Hoi Van, Phu Sen, Tu Bong and Thach Tru. It is recommended to talk to private investors e.g. Infraco about the operation of refrigeration warehouses through geothermal energy. |