Geothermal Resources and Experiences in Applications in Turkey

Abstract

Turkey is located on the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt, which have high geothermal potential. The first geothermal researches and investigations in Turkey started by MTA in 1960’s. Upon this, 170 geothermal fields have been discovered by MTA, where 95% of them are low-medium enthalpy fields, which are suitable mostly for direct-use applications. Around 1500 hot and mineralised natural springs and wells exist in Turkey. With the existing geothermal wells discharge water (2693 MWt) and springs (600 MWt), the proven geothermal capacity calculated by MTA is totally 3293 MWt (exhaust temperature is assumed to be 35 °C). The geothermal potential is estimated as 31,500 MWt (5,000,000 residences equivalence). Most of the development is achieved in geothermal direct-use applications by 65,000 residences equivalence geothermal heating (750 MWt) including district heating, thermal facilities and 635,000 m2 geothermal greenhouse heating. Main cities heated by geothermal energy as Izmir-Balcova, Narlidere, Afyon and Kirsehir City centers, Afyon-Sandikli, Kütahya- Simav,Ankara-Kizilcahamam, Kali-kesir-Gönen, Nevsehir– Kozakli, Manisa–Salihli, Agri-Diyadin, Denizli- Sarayköy and Balikesir-Edremit. 195 spas in Turkey are used for balneological purposes (327 MWt). Engineering design of about 300,000 residences equivalence geothermal district heating has been completed. By summing up all this geothermal utilisations in Turkey, the installed capacity is 1077 MWt for direct use and 20.4 MWe for power production in Turkey, where a liquid carbon dioxide and dry ice production factory is integrated to this power plant.