No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The paper presents a review of the geological and hydrogeological data of the Lower Cretaceous aquifer in the Polish Lowlands and discusses the possibilities for the utilisation of geothermal water resources in existing and new district heating systems. Based on experience related to the use of thermal waters in existing geothermal systems, and using data from the literature, assessments have been made of the energy and environmental effects of the application of low-enthalpy geothermal resources from the Lower Cretaceous aquifer as a source of heat for urban district heating systems. The authors concluded that the implementation of such solutions could result in the production of approximately 4 PJ of geothermal energy annually. To date, these resources have only been developed in three locations—Mszczonów, Uniejów and Poddębice—with the total amount of energy generated annually reaching 100 TJ/year. Similar district heating networks in 120 nearby localities have been also identified. Here, specified geological and hydrogeological conditions enable the extraction of heat from the investigated Lower Cretaceous aquifer, with the aim of using this for heating purposes. To achieve this goal, multiple measures are required, including the following: raising public awareness through appropriate education programmes aimed at the youngest school children; systemic, efficient energy management measures at the central, regional and local levels, and providing financial support and ensuring regulations and laws aimed at improving the development of geothermal resources.

a b s t r a c tThe article presents the results of modelling geothermal conditions in the Lower Triassic sedimentary formations of the Polish Lowland area (central Poland) and an electricity production model for a prospective EGS (Enhanced Geothermal System) installation situated in that area. On the basis of comprehensive analyses, this area has been selected as optimal for EGS plants operating in sedimentary complexes in the Polish Lowland. Numerical modelling was conducted using TOUGH2 code and served to evaluate the energy performance of the prospective EGS plant operating in the area. Modelling results indicate that the energy performance of the EGS plant is strongly dependent on the volume and permeability of the artificially fractured zone and its net power is dependent on the power consumed by the circulating pumps that stimulate the flow. For the top layer of the Buntsandstein formation at a depth of ca. 5500 m and temperature of ca. 170 C, the modelled net power of an EGS plant operating in the area ranged from 2 to 3 MW for a circulation of 200 m 3 /h, and at 100 m 3 /h it ranged from 1.3 to 1.6 MW depending on the permeability and volume of the fractured zone used for the circulation in question.