Efficiency of Geothermal Systems for Heat Supply and Electricity Production in Russia

Abstract

The main consumption tendencies for geothermal heat with low potential (<130 ?) are heat supply, refrigerating and electricity productions. Technical solutions using low-boiling substances in geothermal systems provide the most efficient conversion of low-potential heat (t<40 ?) into the energy with higher potential and extend possibilities of efficient hot water production for application in low-temperature technological processes, heating, hot water supply and refrigeration. Peculiarities of technological schemes for geothermal heat consumption by electric-driven vapor-compression heat pump systems with various actuating fluids are considered. The coefficient of heat energy conversion, energy supply cost, ratios of prices for electric and heat energies determine economic appropriateness of power saving heat pumps with the electric-driven compressor. The efficiency of a gas drive is shown. The optimal choice of initial and final parameters of Rankine cycle with low-boiling actuating fluids at electricity production is considered together with the effect of external factors on thermodynamic and technical-economical efficiency of heat energy conversion into electricity.