Recreational use of geothermal water in Poland and Slovakia (original) (raw)
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Current Issues of Tourism Research “ Recreational Use of Geothermal Water in Poland and Slovakia 1 ”
2014
Slovakia is the country with a long history of the use of geothermal water for recreational purposes. Slovakia possess extensive infrastructure – some of which developed at the site of earlier facilities. In the first decade of the 21st century, Poland also began to develop geothermal bathing facilities. Many such facilities were successful, which gave rise to even more facilities. The following is a research-based analysis of stage and key determinants of geothermal facility development in Poland and Slovakia, including: supply of geothermal water, its accessibility and quality, technical issues, costs of extraction, costs of use, costs of waste management, history and operational traditions associated with geothermal facilities, legal issues linked to geothermal water extraction, construction of recreational facilities and the use of geothermal water, new social trend to visit thermal baths, its relationship to wellness and the use of free time.
Geothermal Water Utilization in Slovakia
In Slovakia, the use of geothermal water is bound to the aquifers of Mesozoic, Paleogene and Neogene age. These aquifers are located in the depths of 200 -5,000 m. The geothermal water temperature reaches the values in the range of 15-240 °C. In the period 2000-2010 the geothermal water was utilized from 46 geothermal wells at 36 sites and from 13 geothermal waters bodies. Reinjection is implemented at one location (Podhájska). The average yield of the 46 exploited wells represents 6,323,167 m 3 .year -1 (236.65 l.s -1 ). For all of these wells the relevant state water authorities have issued permits for the abstraction of geothermal water, in total amount 17,476,731 m 3 .year -1 (721 l.s -1 ). Thermal energy potential of geothermal waters within individual units ranges from 1.1 MW t to 1,316 MW t . Summary calculated amount of geothermal energy from the geothermal water bodies defined in Slovakia equals to 6,234 MW t . These values were calculated by geothermal balance method, volumetric method and mathematical modelling. Identified amount of geothermal energy (348 MW t ) in percentage terms compared to summary calculated amount of geothermal energy in Slovakia represents only 5.58 %. The exploited amount of geothermal water has been largely used for recreational purposes and heating of buildings, to a lesser extent for heating of greenhouses and mining air and fish farming.
Utilization and tourism valorisation of geothermal waters in Croatia
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2015
Current situation and trends in geothermal water utilization in Croatia have been analyzed based on data gathering and observations in a period of 16 years with special attention devoted to their use for tourism purposes. Early 2014 geothermal water was utilized at 26 locations (15 springs and 11 deep boreholes) for 10 different purposes. The traditional modalities of use -recreation and balneotherapy -remain dominant. The fluctuations in the number of sites that utilized geothermal water were low and a result of temporary closure of facilities due to the necessary modernization or termination of their work because of non-profitability. The changes in geothermal water utilization during the considered period indicate stagnation in the development of this resource. Geothermal waters contain an energy potential significant for heating and cooling sector on a national scale, and for electricity generation and cascade utilization on local scale. Those could be energy self-sufficient tourism facilities with low environmental footprint, enriched by the attractions that can be provided with innovative geothermal utilization schemes. Given the untapped geothermal potential and the anticipated growth in demand for health and spa tourism, increased use of geothermal waters for this purpose can be expected. In the interest of safeguarding this valuable resource, it is important to plan sustainable utilization during each phase of geothermal site development cycle and fully implement joint management principles to transboundary geothermal aquifers by including neighbouring countries.
The use of Geothermal Energy Resources in the Tourism Industry of Vojvodina (Northern Serbia)
Exploitation of geothermal energy in Vojvodina is still at an unjustly low level taking into account the abundance of resource locations, some of which are ranked among the most affluent in Europe. Moreover, development of geothermal exploitation started in Serbia at about the same time as in other countries whose geothermal energy facilities are now at the highest technological level and which are leaders in this field. The largest use of geothermal energy in Vojvodina is present in the non-energetic area, especially in spas and sports-recreational centers. Other, seasonal consumers of geothermal energy are from the field of industry and agricultural production where the energy is used for heating of cattle and poultry farms, greenhouses and other facilities. However these consumers use only a small portion of available geothermal resources. The main users are those from the tourism industry. The goal of this paper is to give an overview and an analysis of the use of geothermal energy resources, mainly geothermal waters, in the tourism industry of Vojvodina. It shows how these resources are used and also for what are they used by the tourism industry. The paper covers only geothermal resources that are currently being used by the tourism industry. The potential for future usage in this area is also briefly discussed.
Utilization of geothermal energy in Slovakia
Acta Montanistica Slovaca, 2015
Higher demand for energy consumption and the importance of environmental issues has encouraged researchers and policy makers to consider renewable energies more seriously. Energetic projects, resulting from orientation to energetic effectiveness are contributing to the increase of energetic safety and reduction of economic dependence on unstable prices of gas and petroleum during their import. The contribution studies possible ways of utilization of individual types of renewable energies by the analysis of utilization of geothermal energy through characteristics of individual areas of geothermal energy in Slovakia according to the intensity of heat flow. The results of the analysis prove that Slovakia has the vast potential of geothermal energy. There is, therefore, necessary to support business activities, orientated to the energy saving projects.
Analysis and possible geothermal energy utilization in a municipality of Panonian Basin of Serbia
Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016
Energy goal of Serbia is to reach the share of 27% renewables in its final energy consumption by the year 2020. Geothermal energy is the source that can significantly contribute to the achievement of this goal, particularly in the domain of direct utilization. Indjija municipality is located in the northern part of Serbia and is a typical representative of a region in the Pannonian Basin. In Indjija municipality two exploration boreholes are drilled. Conducted analysis has shown that one of them (Indj-3/H) did not achieve expected results and was labeled as negative. The second (Indj-1/H) was labeled valid for the evaluation of prospective use of geothermal fluid. The results have shown that around 1.25 Â 10 6 m 3 of water can be obtained annually from the second drill. With complete effusion in the drill Indj-1/H, a total of 10.85 GWh can be expected annually. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the geothermal energy potential of Indjija municipality based on two exploratory drill sites. Firstly, geomorphological, geological, geophysical, hydrogeological and hydrothermal characteristics of the area are determined. In addition to this, physicochemical characteristics of geothermal and mineral waters, as well as drill's capacity are analyzed. In accordance with the results, possible applications of the geothermal fluid are considered and recommendations for direct use are given. Feasibility study was conducted for a combined multifunctional system. Investment is profitable after 3-5 years depending of the scenarios. It is concluded that balneology, spas, sports and tourism activities, as well as sanitary hot water supply and space heating are the most appropriate forms for direct use.
Russian Journal of Construction Science and Technology
In Slovakia, there are 26 areas suitable for extraction of geothermal water. In the existing facilities the energy from geothermal waters is mainly used for agriculture, space heating, recreation and balneology. This case study analyses the energy balance of a spa located in the city of Kremnica. Although the geothermal facility is fully functional, in the present situation a considerable amount of energy is wasted by releasing the used geothermal water directly to the recipient, without fully exploiting its energy potential. We propose a couple of energy efficiency measures to improve the level of exploitation of the geothermal energy. It is shown how these energy efficiency measures can substantially influence the energy expenditures despite the relatively low investment costs.
Conditions and possibilities of geothermal energy utilization for economic-touristic development
Journal of the Geographical Institute Jovan Cvijic, SASA
Using thermal mineral water in various economic activities would reduce the need for conventional energy sources and increase complementarity and sustainability of the tourism business. Since the temperature of spring wells of Vranjska banja ranges from 63 °C to 95 °C, this paper deals with the possibilities of their use as a renewable energy source. The paper gives the results of water physical and chemical characteristics testing, the temperature and discharge of ten geothermal springs in Vranjska banja, respectively A-1, A-2, EX-2, EX-3, EX-2, B-1, A-3, B-2, Gornji source and a collecting drain. Test results show that the water contains a high concentration of fluorine (8-8.5 mg/l), the impact of which exhibits in the treatment of cancer, nervous system diseases, and a lot of respiratory diseases, arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders. Based on the results of the temperature and the abundance of the geothermal resources in Vranjska banja, the paper presents data on the heat capacity of the spa springs. The paper reports the results of the possibilities of using water springs of Vranjska banja water temperatures up to 25 °C and 37 °C in agriculture, industry, sports activities, etc.
Geothermal Resources of Serbia as a Comparative Advantage
The economic attractiveness of the geothermal energy as a major geothermal resource can be an important factor of economic growth, not only in tourism and balneology, but also in the agriculture, aquaculture, and industry. Besides in balneology and partly in tourism, expected results have not been achieved. What could have been done differently and what can be done for future prospects to be improved? Despite significant potentials, intensive development and positive results of using geothermal resources worldwide, and the present economic recession, only a small part of such natural treasure has been affected, with no attention paid to direct applications of geothermal energy that could directly contribute to the economic growth and recovery of our economy.
The most prospective areas of use of thermal waters for heating purposes in the Polish Lowlands
The paper presents results of assessment of geothermal energy resources accumulated within nine Paleozoic and Mesozoic aquifers in the Polish Lowlands, carried out within the framework of the project entitled "Geothermal atlases of the Mesozoic and Paleozoic formations – geological analysis and thermal water and energy resources in the Polish Lowlands". The project commissioned by the Polish Ministry of Environment was carried out in the years 2004–2006 by a research team of specialists from several institutions, with AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków as a leader. The paper presents also the results of studies and proposals for geothermal investment projects in selected towns of central and northwestern Poland. Potential locations of the new geothermal projects are determined. Towns with the most favourable geological and hydrogeological conditions and appropriate market of heat consumers for a geothermal plant construction are indicated. The calculation a...