Control System Study for Agriculture Geothermal Utilisation in the Elhamma Region-Tunisia

Abstract

The paper describes the dynamic simulation of a complete typical geothermal project in El Hamma region in Tunisia, including well, tank, water distribution, greenhouses and connection with the oasis irrigation. It presents a design study based on dynamic simulation focusing on the development of control systems for a geothermal utility installation for a greenhouse heating and cooling and oasis irrigation project. The aspects of modelling, simulation and development of a control system for this kind of project are then presented. Thereafter, the technical subsystems, namely, geothermal water production and distribution, and greenhouse climate control are described. Field data are used to substantiate the simulation runs. This paper demonstrates that simulating the geothermal installation and its computer control systems is a realistic and useful step in a prefeasibility and management study for a project of this kind. One key finding of the simulation work is that the greenhouse area can potentially be doubled through the addition of a buffer tank and suitable control equipment.