Integrated Geothermal District Heating Systems - Benefits and Problems

Abstract

Europe is definitely the "most geothermal" continent in the world, at least when direct application is in question. About 45% of total flow, 40% of the total installed capacity and 50% if the annual utilization (Lund 2000) are located in 29 European countries. However, distribution of the "know-how" and experience is very uneven. Heat pumps are mostly used in North and West European countries, where geothermal energy is mainly used for space heating purposes. Balneology is characteristical for the central part of the continent. Agricultural and industrial uses are spread off in the Southern and Eastern countries. Iceland is an exception. There, nearly all of the direct types of utilization can be found. Highest is the participation of the space heating (35.83%) and balneology (22.18%), then heat pumps (14.33%) and greenhouse heating (11.75%), and finally aquaculture (6.64%) and industrial uses (6.50%). Other types of uses are at a neglecting level.