Geothermal Greenhouse Heating at Bahia Blanca Area, Colorado Basin, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Abstract

The Colorado basin is located at the south-western of Buenos Aires province and is characterised by its low temperature (55ö-80ö C) artesian aquifers, Ground water resources are abundant and of good quality, being exposed in more than 70 deep wells. Main use of thermal waters at Bahia Blanca area, the commercial center of the region, is for domestic supply, but during the last few years other uses such as space heating, mineral wafer, food processing, fish farming and more recently greenhouses have been developed. Climatic conditions at this region makes Bahia Blanca an area diflcult for greenhouses management, but the use of geothermal fluids in heating installations provided a good alternative for this purpose. Results obtained in a first pilot experience, with a heated area of 660 m2, encouraged producers to develop this as an industrial activity. The present production area reaches 2,500 m2 geothermally heated, attempting to increase to 5,000 m2 in the next years. Techniques employed allowed to get a more eficient and profitable productive cycle and to extend the commercialisation area.