| Title | Hydrogeothermal resources of Russia |
|---|---|
| Authors | V.I.Kononov, B.G.Polyak, M.D.Khutorskoy |
| Year | 2003 |
| Conference | International Geothermal Workshop, Russia |
| Keywords | Hydrogeothermal resources, direct use, Russia |
| Abstract | Studying a thermal field of the Earth testifies to potent, practically inexhaustible and ecologically pure source of a thermal energy in the interior. These geothermal resources are subdivided into petrothermal and hydrothermal varieties, presenting thermal energy accumulated in rocks and in underground water fluids, respectively. Extraction of thermal energy from hard rocks is as yet at the stage of experiment, whereas the hydrothermal resources are already successfully exploited in many countries supplying electrical and thermal energy. In Russia the geothermal resources are utillized predominantly for space heating in several cities and settlements on Northern Caucasus and Kamchatka with a total population of 500 000. Besides, the greenhouses of 465 000 Ï2 in total area use terrestrial heat in some regions of Russia. The electricity is generated by some geothermal power plants (GeoPP) only in the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands. At the present time, Pauzhetka GeoPP (11 MWe installed capacity) and Severo-Mutnovka GeoPP (12 MWe) are in operation in the Kamchatka. Near to the latter, the unit (50 MWe) is under construction and must be commissioned in 2001. Moreover, another GeoPP of 100 MWe is now in project in the same place. Two small GeoPP are in operation in the Kurilsí Kunashir Isl. and Iturup Isl. with installed capacity of 2.6 MWe and 6 MWe, respectively. |