UTILIZATION OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY ENSURING SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Objectif

The superordinate aim of the present proposal of ensuring sustainable environmental protection by considerably reducing the emission of pollutants caused by fossil fuels in the municipality of Fürstenfeld.
Additionally, the project is intended to demonstrate how existing heating systems based on older technologies can be economically operated with a low-temperature supply in combination with block-type thermal power stations and the appropriate type of up-to-date control technology.
Economic efficiency will be ensured by multiple utilization of thermal water, i.e. energetic utilization (private heating for agricultural application, folia tunnels for heating of a modern hemp kiln) and material utilization (balnological use for a senior citizen residence for production of medicinal salts).
An additional aim consists of ensuring a safe thermal energy supply for the population and of reducing the foreign trade deficit of the Community by using domestic renewable energy resources.
Another superordinate aim is the promotion of communication within the Community. This will be achieved by cooperation with EU-partners and, subsequently, by presentation of the project result within our Community.

The geothermal system will be used to supply the municipality of Fürstenfeld with hot water for heating purposes. The production well Thermal II is expected to have a wellhead temperature of 75°C at a maximum flow of 30 l/s. The high salt content of the thermal water, however requires the use of a primary heat exchanger (titanium). The thermal water will finally be reinjected to the aquifer using a new well Fürstenfeld Thermal III. The primary heat exchanger, the long distance heating distribution network and the secondary heat exchanger (in every home) reduce the temperature that can be supplied to the final customer to a maximum of approx. 65°C - 68°C. As existing heating systems were constructed for a flow temperature of 90°C and a return temperature of 70°C, block-type thermal power stations, fuelled with environmentally friendly natural gas, will be used to raise the network flow temperature to an appropriate level on extremely cold winter days, thus guaranteeing a continuous satisfactory supply of thermal energy. A peak load boiler, also fuelled with natural gas, will provide the system with a failure reserve and help to cover peak requirements. The remaining energy potential of the thermal water returning through the geothermal water pipe will be reduced even further. This aim is achieved by heating of a folia tunnels and a hemp kiln, thus increasing the difference between supply and return temperature to 40°C - 50°C. The returning thermal water will additionally be subjected to material utilization. The first component of material utilization will be a senior citizen residence that will be established in Fürstenfeld and rely mostly on the thermal water and its therapeutic effects. The second envisaged component of material utilization is the large-scale production of medicinal salts (such salts are already being produced, though on a small scale, in connection with existing "Thermal I" well). To ensure an optimum combination of all these applicants, a totally new control and monitoring system will be installed. This system allows consumption-controlled cooperation between all water and energy withdrawal and insertion points including overall accounting and balance sheet preparation.

Champ scientifique

Programme(s)

FP4-NNE-THERMIE C - Specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration in the field of non-nuclear energy, 1994-1998

Thème(s)

2 - GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Appel à propositions

Data not available

Régime de financement

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Coordinateur

GEOTHERMIE UND FERNWÄRME FÜRSTENFELD GMBH

Contribution de l’UE

Aucune donnée

Adresse

BAHNHOFSTRASSE 9-11
8280 FÜRSTENFELD
Autriche

Coût total