Geothermal Utilization and Applications in Turkey

Abstract

Geothermal energy exploration and studies were started in the 1960's in Turkey. 140 geothermal fields have been explored with a wellhead temperature above 40oC.

In Turkey, geothermal energy is utilized mostly in heating (dwellings, greenhouses, thermal facilities) and in Balneology. Beside these applications, geothermal electricity generation and production of industrial food grade CO2 (40,000 tons/year) also exists and associated with the Kizildere Geothermal Power Plant.

67% of geothermal energy consumption in Turkey results in heating.

At present, 23,000 dwellings equivalency have been heated geothermally in Turkey and the geothermal heating engineering designs of nearly 130,000 dwellings have been completed. In Bonen, 1500 dwellings, in Kirsehir 1800 dwellings and in Simav 3500 dwellings are heated geothermally. With the addition of thermal facilities, hotels and greenhouse heating the installed capacity is 159, 67 MWt (23,000 dwellings equivalency) systems under construction (July 1994) 121,10 MWt (17,300 dwellings equivalency, the feasibility studies completed for geothermal heating and air conditioning system which is 563.46 MWt (80,500 dwelling equivalency) and finally, with the addition of 1420 MWt which is the capacity of existing geothermal natural self flowings and geothermal wells (most of them are contributing to balneological and hot spring facilities and their exhaust temperature is assumed to be 35oC makes the total proven geothermal direct use capacity of Turkey 2264.2 MWt.

To date the geothermal water is transported from 4 km distance for district heating. A feasibility study for transportation of geothermally heated sea water 46 km distance for heating and air conditioning in Izmir has been completed.

In Turkey, the geothermal fluids can be classified chemically as 95% incrusting 2-3 geothermal fields include highly corrosive geothermal fluids. We therefore have some experience in preventing scaling, corrosion and gas corrosion together. Only in 3 geothermal fields, does the geothermal fluid containing total dissolved solids of over 5000 ppm. JJIn the rest of the geothermal fields (among 140 geothermal fields in Turkey), the total dissolved solids are less than 5000 ppm.

By suitable system and equipment design and treatment of the geothermal fluids we do not suffer from severe scaling or corrosion problems.