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The Potential of Geothermal Energy

Usage in Latvia

Dr. habil. sc. İng. Andris KreslinsMg. sc. İng. Jelena Psenicnaja

Institute of Heat, Gas and Water TechnologyRIGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITYRiga, Latvia

Introduction

Latvia, as any other European Union member states, is dependent on the import of primary energy resources. The main goal of Latvian energy

policy is to ensure safe and environmentally friendly long-term energy supply at cost-effective prices, contributing to enhance competitiveness,

and to ensure safe energy transit. The energetic production field in Latvia progresses by realization of

ecologically less harmful projects, using European Union informational and financial support.

The purpose of this presentation is aimed to give an insight view of the Latvian hydrogeological description, paying special attention to possibility

of thermal groundwater usage in the production of heat.

The directive of the promotion of the use of renewable sources sets the framework to achieve the target of a 20% share of renewable energy source in final energy

consumption in EU-27 by 2020. European Geothermal Energy Council is preparing recommendations for legal framework to regulate geothermal effectively either through existing or new legislation, and to remove legal barriers that hamper the development of

geothermal energy in Europe.The economic value of geothermal energy is seriously underestimated. Geothermal

energy is often compared to other sources of energy, where externalities are excluded. To the extent such externalities will be internalised through green taxes and new

regulations; geothermal energy will become more competitive. The fact that variability is huge for geothermal energy due to local conditions (including

well drilling and well productivity) means that economic analysis and economic forecasting of geothermal energy investments are both complex and challenging.

Actuality

Main topic

� The location and resources of these regions on the map of Latvia are shown. These two regions can be defined as regions with the highest

underground thermal water temperature (+ 40 - +50 ° C). The heat flow, water tightness and geothermal gradient of the aquifer’s

surface, thermal conductivity data that was obtained during the research were on the base of calculations to get geothermal

resources contained heat equivalent.

� Geographical location of the control boreholes is shown. The maincharacteristics of underground water horizons and isotherms can also be

clearly seen.

� Geothermal exploitation involves energy extraction from highly complex underground systems. Successful management of geothermal energy usage projects relies on proper understanding of the geothermal system involved, which in turn relies on adequate information on the system

� The information based on the knowledge required for a successful management program involves:

- Knowledge of the volume, geometry and boundary conditions of a reservoir.

- Knowledge of the properties of the reservoir rock, i.e. permeability, porosity, density, heat capacity and heat conductivity.

- Knowledge of the physical conditions in a reservoir, which are determined by the temperature- and pressure distribution.

Conclusions

� new drilling rigs are needed; the drilling costs for geothermal wells are correlated with the oil sector because of lack of drilling rigs and specialized geothermal, drillers on the

market.

� educate and train a qualified labor force: the geothermal industry is currently suffering from a shortage of geothermal scientists and engineers;

� adapt infrastructure: advanced engineering materials and electricity networks for the future are needed.

� Geothermal energy is a clean, proven and reliable resource for supplying the needs of a sustainable society and helping to improve the global environment. The environmental impact of geothermal energy is small as compared to that of hydrocarbons (especially CO2 emission).

� The opportunity of using geothermal energy in Latvia is perspective. The valuable archives’ information about Latvia’s geology and hydrology situation and also data about researched bore-holes is a good basic for researching and developing geothermal energy usage projects.

� The project should focus on: geothermal energy for heating and cooling, which employs innovate the environmentally sustainable and cost competitive technologies, including ground coupled heat pumps.

Thank you for your attention.