Geothermal Energy Resources in Albania-Country Update Paper

Abstract

Large numbers of geothermal energy of low enthalpy resources are located in different areas of Albania. Thermal waters are sulfate, sulfide, methane, and iodinate-bromide types. Thermal sources are located in three geothermal zones:
Kruja geothermal zone represents a zone with bigness geothermal resources, in carbonate reservoirs.
Ardenica geothermal zone is located in the coastal area of Albania, in sandstone reservoirs.
Peshkopia gjeotermal zone at northeastern area of Albania. Several springs are located with disjunctive tectonics of the gypsum diapir.
The geothermal situation in Albania offers three directions for the exploitation of geothermal energy:
Firstly, the use of the ground heat flow for space heating and cooling, by borehole heat exchanger-heat pumps systems.
Secondly, thermal sources of low enthalpy are natural sources or wells in a wide territory of Albania. They represent the basis for a successful use of modern technologies for a complex and cascade exploitation of this energy:
1. SPA clinics for treatment of different diseases and hotels for eco-tourism.
2. The hot water for heating and sanitary waters of the SPA and hotels, greenhouses and aquaculture installations.
3. From thermal waters it is possible to extract chemical microelements.
Thirdly, the use of deep abandoned oil and gas wells as “Vertical Earth Heat Probe”.
Actually in Albania has been published “Atlas of Geothermal Resources in Albania (2004) (Frashëri A. et al. 2004). Geothermal team from Faculty of Geology and Mining and Department of Energy of Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, during 2008 has worked for the Project: “Platform for integrated and cascade use of geothermal energy of low enthalpy in the framework of energetic balance of Albania”, in the framework of the National Program for Research and Development, “Water and Energy” 2007-2009 (Frashëri A. et al. 2008). Have been published a monograph: “Space Heating/Cooling Borehole-Vertical Heat Exchanger-Heat Pump System” (Frashëri A. et al. 2008). In same time, we have prepared first part of three project ideas: “Geothermal Center for integrated and cascade direct use of geothermal energy of Kozani-8 well, near Elbasani City” (spa-hotel with hot pools, greenhouse and aquacultyre instalations (spirulina and fisch) (Frashëri A. et al. 2008), Project idea for space heating of Korça University using borehole-vertical heat exchanger-heat pump system (Frashëri A. et al. 2008), and project idea for set up of the “Geo-Energy Ressouces Laboratory” in the Department of Energy Reasources, Faculty of Geology and Mining. The Promemory “Earth Heat is an alternative, environ friendly renewable energy, which is necessary to use in Albania” has been addressed to the Albanian Government.
Periodically, results of the geothermal energy studies in Albania have been published and presented in International Symposiums, Conferences and Workshops.