Evaluation of the Geothermal Energy Potential for South Africa

Abstract

South Africa is located in a geologically stable zone. Despite this, the country is relatively well endowed with thermal springs. Eighty seven thermal springs, with temperatures ranging from 25¢ªC to 67,5¢ªC have been documented to date. This paper focuses the evaluation of available geothermal resources in the country. Parameters used in the evaluation include thermal springs, heat flow, and temperature at depth, geology, geophysics, and hydrogeology. Based on the available resources such as a geothermal potential map, and identified thermal springs, electricity generating system such as binary-cycle geothermal plants are proposed. The results of this study suggests that low-enthalpy geothermal energy can be a viable alternative form of energy, with possible locations in the Proterozoic Namaqua-Natal Mobile Belt and Limpopo Belt.