Three Years of Benedikt Geothermal Heating System - Stage I Operation

Abstract

In spring 2004, geothermal well Be-2/03 has been drilled in the Benedikt Municipality, north-eastern Slovenia. Thermal water is classified as a CO2-rich healing mineral water with 7.4 g/L of dissolved solids, and is suitable also for drinking, bottling and balneology. The whole project of district heating is characterized by 3.3 MW power, and annual production of 4200 MWh. In the beginning of the year 2006 the Municipality Council decided to make a contract with the company Gejzir Consulting from Ljubljana to construct the first stage of district heating. The Benedikt Municipality is the well owner and ensured an uptake of 5 litre/sec of thermal water to Gejzir Consulting for this reason. The first stage was built and put into testing operation in the year 2006. District heating encompasses public dwellings – the municipality building, gymnasium, primary school and kindergarten that consume 20 % of total municipality consumption. Heat station has the power of 700 kW and is foreseen to produce 600 MWh annually. Gas separator and heat exchanger are located at the production well in order to simplify the system operation. Energetically used thermal water is cooled in a nearby temporary pool.