Using the Power of Geothermal Energy - Chance for the Serbian economy

Geothermal energy implies heat accumulated in dry rocks and fluids of the lithosphere, as the consequence of continuous radiation of heat from the interior of the Earth. Therefore, geothermal or heat energy may be accumulated in fluids (water and gases) and then it is defined as hydrogeothermal energy, and in hard rocks, and then it is called petrogeothermal energy.

At the present level of technology, hydrogeothermal energy can be successfully used, while the use of petrogeothermal energy is in the development (experimental) phase. Hydrogeothermal (heat) energy has been successfully used for different purposes for several decades now. In the past twenty years, the use of petrothermal energy from shallow, so-called geoprobes has been increasingly used for heating and cooling of large structures.

When we talk about geothermal energy, it is important to stress that we are talking about large quantities of heat energy. The fact that the accumulated heat in the lithosphere is so huge that the decrease of temperature of the lithosphere by only 0.1 degree Centigrade would provide sufficient energy to supply electricity to the world on the current level of consumption for the forthcoming period of 15,000 years is sufficient proof of the size of that potential. Currently, very intensive work is underway across the world on resolving of the problem of utilization of geothermal energy and certain practical solutions have already been designed.

Hydrogeothermal energy and thermomineral waters are currently used for different purposes, as it is shown in the Lindal diagram.

1. Soil warming
2. Fish farming
3. Washing metal parts
4. Recreation
5. Furniture manufacture
6. Soya oil production
7. Biogas production
8. Heating of cattle and poultry farms
9. Heating of plastic covered greenhouses and greenhouses
10. Food preparation and processing
11. Sugar beet production
12. Balneotherapy
13. Mushroom growing
14. Panel radiators
15. Synthetic rubber
16. Sanitary hot water
17. Alcohol production
18. Pasteurization, fermentation
19. Milk preservation

20. Drying of cereals, vegetables, fruits, and medicinal herbs

Hydrogeothermal energy is one of the renewable sources of energy. Hydrogeothermal energy may be utilized directly, and it may also be used for generation of heat and for generation of electricity. The Energy Law stipulates that electricity producers and heat producers, which thereby meet the requirements concerning energy efficiency, are privileged power producers. Generation of electricity or heat generation is the activity of public interest. The right to engage in such an activity is acquired under specifically prescribed conditions.

Note: This text is taken from the document-guide for investors "Construction of Plants and Heat/Electricity Generation from Hydrogeothermal Resources in the Republic of Serbia", of which authors are Dr. Branislava Lepotic Kovacevic, PhD Law, Stanislan Milosavljevic, BSc M. Eng, and Bojan Lazarevic, BSc El. Eng.

The project was implemented under the patronage of USAID, GTZ / GIZ Serbia and the Ministry of Energy in 2010.

YOU SHOULD ALSO READ THE TEXT ABOUT LEGAL ASPECT

USAID Srbija

GIZ Beograd