Geothermal Energy Use in Russia: Progress and Future

Abstract

Thermal waters are used for many purposes - for development of electric power, for central heating and cooling, for hot water supply, in agriculture, animal industries, fish culture, in the food, chemical and oil-extracting industries, in balneology and spas, and for the recreational purposes.

Geothermal energy use is a prospective way to achieve clean sustainable development of the world. Russia has rich high and low temperature geothermal resources and makes good steps in their use. In Russia the geothermal resources are used predominantly for heat supply, heating of several cities and settlements on Northern Caucasus and Kamchatka. In addition, in some regions of country the deep heat is used for greenhouses. The most active hydrothermal resources are used in Krasnodar territory, Dagestan and on Kamchatka.

At the same time the problem of the most effective utilization of a natural source of raw materials is put forward in the category of actual tasks, including thermomineral waters and brines. Involving of these waters in economic activities can promote the decision of some social - economic and environmental problems.