Diverse utilization of geothermal in Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia
Miskolc-Tapolcai Thermal Cave Bath, Hungary (source: centraleasteurope.com)
Alexander Richter
21 Oct 2011
The Transenergyproject on Transboundary Geothermal Resources of Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia is looking into the various forms of geothermal energy utilization in these countries of the central European region.
Reported already in the end of September, the first half of the TRANSENERGY Project is considered to have been positive. The TRANSENERGY project, Transboundary Geothermal Energy Resources of Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia has looked so far into the various utilization forms of geothermal in this region.
At the moment 28 Austria, 20 Slovenian, 20 Slovakian and 104 Hungarian users are utilizing geothermal energy in these regions that over several countries, among them the Vienna basin, the Pannonian Basin or the region of the southeastern Steiermark.
For the largest part the use of warm water of more than 30 million cubic meters are the primary target, as it is used primarily for bathing. Only in Austria warm water is used for power generation is in a pilot project.
About 85% of the thermal water needs to be derived through pumps, as there is very low pressure in the several layers. Often those waters are being flown into the surface water basins. This is problematic, as they have high mineral content and a higher temperature and are a threat to local eco-systems. Only two thermal utilization systems are re-injecting the water and thereby having some sustainability in mind.
The project so far shows that there is a need for cross-border concepts.
The project “Transenergy is done as part of a project called Central Europe 2010-2013. Further details via http://transenergy-eu.geologie.ac.at
Source: OTS (in German)
