Geothermal direct-heat utilization

Direct utilization of geothermal energy consists of various form for heating and cooling instead of converting the energy for electric power generation. The major areas of direct utilization are (1) swimming, bathing and balneology, (2) space heating and cooling including district heating, (3) agriculture applications, (4) aquaculture applications, (5) industrial processes and (6) heat pumps. Major direct utilization projects exploiting geothermal energy exist in about 60 countries, and the estimated installed thermal power is 15,145 MWt utilizing over 52,000 kg/s of fluid. The worldwide thermal energy used is estimated to be least 190,700 TJ/yr (53,000 GWh/yr) - saving 13.5 milion TOE/yr. The majority of this energy use is for space heating (37%), and swimming and bathing (22%). In the USA, the installed thermal power is 5,366 MWt, and the annual energy use is 20,300 TJ (5,640 GWh). The majority of the use (59%) is for the heat pumps (both ground coupled and water source), with bathing and swimming, and fish farming each supplying about 13%.

---

Artykuł był publikowany w obu wersjach językowych w materiałach międzynarodowej konferencji pn. "Międzynarodowe Dni Geotermalne POLSKA 2004" (The paper was in proceedings of International Geothermal Deus POLAND 2004).