Examples from Turkey

Abstract

Turkey is located on the Mediterranean Sector of Alpine-Himalayan Tectonic Belt, which constitutes an important geothermal potential. Relation between human being and geothermal started through bathing. From ancient times to now, geothermal water is used for bathing and thermal curing purposes. With the development of technology, utilization is increased and geothermal fluids have been started to be used in space and greenhouse heating, electricity production, hot tap water production and dry ice production in Turkey. History of geothermal district heating systems in Turkey goes as far as to the year 1987, where the first geothermal district heating system of Turkey in Gonen City, with 1400 residence equivalence had started. This system was followed by Simav, Kirsehir, Kizilcahamam, Balcova, Afyon, Kozakli, Sandikli, Diyadin, Narlidere and Salihli geothermal district heating systems. Most of the development is achieved in geothermal direct-use applications in Turkey with 57.000 residences equivalence geothermal heating (540 MWt) including district heating, thermal facilities and nearly 500,000 m2 geothermal greenhouse heating. 195 spas in Turkey are used for balneological purposes (327 MWt). Engineering design of nearly 300,000 residences equivalence geothermal district heating has been completed. Total direct use installed capacity is 867 MWt (Table 1).