Geothermal Energy Consumption in Bergama Geothermal Field

Abstract

Energy, in any form, is an essential need for human being in order to meet his/her demands and any opportunity regarding energy forms must be evaluated and be consumed. In western region of Turkey there are many big and small geothermal fields, one being Bergama geothermal field, located in the northern part of İzmir, an ancient and touristic city. Geology of the region is comprised as Lower Triassic Kınık formation containing allochthon limestones taking place at the bottom of the stratigraphy of Bergama geothermal field. Towards the top, Eocene-Oligocene aged Kozak granodiorites, Middle Miocene aged Yuntdağ-I and Yuntdağı-II volcanics, Upper Miocene aged Yeniköy formation and Upper Miocene-Pliocene Aged Yuntdağı-III volcanics take place. The youngest formation of all is the Quaternary alluvium. The volcanics located in the field, which have been fractured due to the tectonics, behave as the reservoir rock for the geothermal fluid to be stored in while the altered clay levels form the cap of the system. Possible heat source for this and its neighboring geothermal system is accepted as high geothermal gradient resulting from both the effect of the tectonics and volcanic activities in the region. There are several hot springs with low temperatures varying from 26 °C to 70 °C and 6 geothermal wells temperatures varying from 45 °C to 62 °C, only one being used as a production well within the district heating system presently. This paper introduces and describes roughly the geothermal system lying in Bergama and geochemistry of the some of the hot water points. It also, outlines the present district heating system within Bergama vicinity.