The Podhale Geothermal System and Heating Project

Abstract

The Podhale region is regarded as a cradle for geothermal energy use for heating purposes in Poland. Since the end of 1980s the research works and activities oriented to geothermal space heating and other uses have been carried out there. There, the first in Poland, Experimental Geothermal Plant was put into operation and successively a great regional heating system has been developed. More than ten years of the project development brought many results of both cognitive and practical meaning for the proper long-term exploitation of the geothermal reservoir and the heating network operation. The paper introduces main geological and reservoir characteristics of the Podhale geothermal system, project