IEA GIA Annex VIII – Direct Use of Geothermal Energy

Abstract

Direct use of geothermal energy is the topic of Annex VIII of the IEA Geothermal Implementing Agreement (IEA GIA). Today geothermal water is used for many applications that require heat such as heating buildings, either individually or whole towns, raising plants in greenhouses, drying crops, heating water at fish farms, and several industrial processes. The purpose of this Annex was to promote further direct use of geothermal water and to learn from each other the best practice.
Work has started in four tasks. The first one is dealing with resource characterization and the aim is to define the available geothermal resources in the various participating countries and how it affects the utilization of geothermal energy. Another task focuses on collecting, analyzing and disseminating the characteristic cost and performance data for installations with emphasis on establishing a baseline and then validating the improvements from innovative components and better designs. The third task is related to design configuration and engineering standards with the goal of minimizing the engineering related to various applications. The forth task deals with geographical presentation of information finding suitable form to present data on direct use of geothermal water geographically on the web. Six geothermal countries participate in this annex, Iceland, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, Korea and USA. Two more countries will be joining soon and others are welcome.