Improving the Operations and Economic Performance of the Zakopane, Poland Geothermal District Heating System Through Modeling

Abstract

A project supported by the World Bank has been under development during recent years to reduce air pollution from local coal-fired boilers through increased utilization of geothermal heat (resources are transmitted 14 km from production wells to the City of Zakopane) and natural gas (for peaking) in the Podhale region of Southern Poland. The project objectives include eventual connection of over 4200 individual households and 172 commercial/industrial loads supporting up to 80,000 people in the Region. HEATMAP was used to develop a hydraulic and economic model for the Zakopane district energy system. The model identified hydraulic deficiencies in the distribution system as well as economic factors needed to support the viability for the project. The model initially developed in HEATMAP was transferred into TERMIS for extensive operational analysis and evaluation.