Geothermal space heating
- Key words
- Space heating, District heating, peaking, absorption technology
- Conference
- European Geothermal Conference
- Year
- 2003
- Session
- Agricultural direct use
- Language
- English
Full text
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Abstract
The use of geothermal resources for space heating dominates the direct use industry with
approximately 37% of all direct use development. Of this, 75% is provided by district
heating systems. In fact, the earliest known commercial use of geothermal energy was in
Chaudes-Aigues Cantal, France, where a district heating system was built in the 14th century.
Today, geothermal district space heating projects are found in 12 countries and provide some
44,772 TJ of energy yearly. Although temperatures in excess of 50?C are generally required,
resources as low as 40?C can be used in certain circumstances, and, if geothermal heat pumps
are included, space heating can be a viable alternative to other forms of heating at
temperatures well below 10?C.
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