Geothermal Energy Use - Country update for Slovakia 2019 - 2021

Abstract

Although numerous plans on electricity generation from geothermal resources have already appeared since 70's of 20th Century, geothermal waters are still produced for a direct-use only.

As part of the Western Carpathians realm controlling geothermic activity, geological evolution, geodynamics and extension of deep geological structures, the territory is of moderate geothermic activity with mean surface heat flow density of 82.1 mW/m2. Sampled wellhead temperatures vary 18 to 135 °C.

Recently, national database includes 250+ wells proving geothermal resource, either successfully tested through pumping tests or borehole flowmetry. More than 120 wells are in active use. In both, the number of wells and installed capacity, the recreation (outdoor and indoor pools heating or pre-heating) prevails over use of geothermal (thermal-healing) waters in Spas and agriculture. Geothermal district heating is installed at four sites, forming a hybrid system with natural gas boilers. Individual space heating is rather used for hotels or administration buildings.

Since WGC2020, a new geothermal well is in progress in ?ižatice, the Košice depression, 30km away from a ?urkov system, recently reporting 100+ °C at a bottom at 2 500 m. A plan is to create at least 300 m thick profile in reservoir - Mid Triassic carbonates.

A worldwide well promotes is continuing plan on a geothermal power plant unit in Lov?a by PW Energy, the Žiarska kotlina Basin, however, drilling has not started yet.