Latvia exploring potential of utilizing EGS for geothermal plant

Alexander Richter 3 Nov 2009

In a presentation I received the other day, I was made aware of an interesting project in Riga, the capital of Latvia.

The project explores the idea to develop a pilot project for a geothermal power plant with a capacity of 3-4 MW for electricity generation and 30-40 MW for heating. The project intends to tap into international financial funds for the project.

The presentation was given by Dr.sc.ing. Maija Rubina, the director of Riga’s Energy Agency (site only in Latvian) at a Seminor for “Renewable Energy Resources in the Cities Energy Supply” on October 17, 2009.

In the presentation an overview is given on various studies that explored geothermal potential as early as from 1970 until 1991, with no new evaluations or drilling having taken place.

Areas with potential geothermal utilization possibilities are “Hot zone with absolute mark lower 2,75 km and up to 3 km is located in Liep?ja (south-west part of Latvia), central part of Latvia incl. regions of Jelgava, R?ga un Bauska cities, and possibly also in eastern regions, incl. Districts of Valmiera and C?sis districts.

Warm zone with absolute mark between 3 and 4 km covers major part of eastern Latvia. Cold zone with absolute mark 7 km and more is located in the western part of Latvia.

There is – according to the presentation – no opportunity for utilizing hot water resources, but EGS technology could be used to tap into widespread hot dry rocks. Finally the presentation looks at the Basel project as a reference case and looks into Kalina electricity generation technology.

Unfortunately I don´t have much more details about this project, but thought it interesting to post something on it.

Thanks to Philippe Dumas of EGEC to pointing this presentation out to me.