Geothermal Resources and Utilization of Geothermal Energy in Bulgaria

Abstract

Bulgaria has natural conditions, traditions, experience and nation-wide interests to carry out broad and complete geothermal studies. The geological territory of the country contains plenty of convective and conductive hydrothermal systems that tap and reproduce great quantities of thermal waters with temperatures in some places, reaching 110oC. The attached Table 1 comprises information about the main properties of 54 important hydrothermal occurrences in the country. Bulgaria is a small country of about 111000 km2 and population of about 8 million inhabitants. It is poor on fossil and hydraulic energy. The production of electricity and heating energy is based on the following sources: nuclear power station; thermal power stations (using mainly lignite coal and having no significant importance); some hydropower plants; and many heating stations (using derivatives of imported oil and gas). In order to improve the energy situation in future, some steps have to be taken in the next years for more efficient utilization of all types of produced power in the country. Therefore, a considerable attention has to be paid on the geothermal production for everyday life, as well as in the major sectors - agriculture and industry.