| Title | Expansion of geothermal hot water supply system in Tbilisi (Saburtalinsky Pilot Project) |
|---|---|
| Authors | Otar S. Vardigoreli, Nodar V. Tsertsvadze, Marina Ya. Shvangiradze |
| Year | 2003 |
| Conference | International Geothermal Workshop, Russia |
| Keywords | Geothermal, supply system, pilot project |
| Abstract | Centralized geothermal hot water supply of Sarbutalinsky region of Tbilisi-city has been carried out since 1973. Natural thermal water extracted by the wells from the Middle Eocene thermal water-bearing horizon delivered by the system well-user-sewerage. As a result of such operation during 30 years well flow rate monotonously decreased and thermal water delivery to user gradually reduced. The joint Project UNDP/GEF ñ Government of Georgia was developed in 1999-2000 under the financial support of GEF with the purpose to analyze technical and economic expediency of reconstruction of municipal heat supply systems in Georgia. Several pilot projects were developed within the limits of the above mentioned Project. One of them, ìUsage of geothermal energy in heat supply of Saburtalinsky pilot-districtî, was recommended for realization since 2003. The investors are: GEF - USD 2.5 mln, city administration of Tbilisi ñ USD 1.0 mln, LLC ìGeothermiaî ñ USD 0.5 mln. Estimated cost of the Project is about USD 4.0 mln; Time constraints of the construction are: 2003-2005; Thermal capacity of the system at the first stage of the construction is 10.6 MW; The Project envisages: - complete reequipping of the field with creation of geothermal circulating system (GCS); - creation of central geothermal heat supply plant; - construction of reservoirs ñ accumulators of hot water; - organizing of calculation of hot water consumption directly from the user (setting of counters). After completion of the first stage of the Project it is expected that: - calculated specific prime cost of heat will be 13 USD/MWh. - decrease of emission of CO2 for the period of designed operation will reach 200 thous.tn. The stored practical experience of pilot GCS operation will allow to draft in the nearest future and late to start stage-by-stage construction of up to twenty GCS within the limits of Tbilisi city. The preliminary analysis proved that total installed capacity of GCSes being designed will reach 1100 MW; annual heat energy production will exceed 6-7 mln MWh yearly, that is comparable to the amount of heat generated in 48 heat supply plants in 1990. Up to 1 mln tn of equivalent fuel will be saved yearly under the full load of the designed GCSes. The demand of population of the city for hot water will be satisfied completely and 40 ñ 50% of city heating load will be covered. |