The Standard Geothermal Plant as an Innovative Combined Renewable Energy Resources System: The Case from South Poland

Agnieszka Operacz (), Agnieszka Zachora-Buławska, Izabela Strzelecka, Mariusz Buda, Bogusław Bielec, Karolina Migdał and Tomasz Operacz
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Agnieszka Operacz: Department of Sanitary Engineering and Water Management, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
Agnieszka Zachora-Buławska: Department of Sanitary Engineering and Water Management, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
Izabela Strzelecka: Chochołowskie Termy Sp. z o.o., Chochołów 400, 34-513 Witów, Poland
Mariusz Buda: Chochołowskie Termy Sp. z o.o., Chochołów 400, 34-513 Witów, Poland
Bogusław Bielec: Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Wybickiego 7A, 31-261 Kraków, Poland
Karolina Migdał: Department of Sanitary Engineering and Water Management, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
Tomasz Operacz: Polish Geological Institute—National Research Institute, Carpathian Branch in Kraków, ul. Skrzatów 1, 31-560 Kraków, Poland

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-23

Abstract: Geothermal energy, as one of the more well-known renewable energy sources (RES), is used in many operating installations around the world. Depending on the temperature of the geothermal waters in question, the choices range from installations for generating electricity (high-temperature geothermal energy), to the production of thermal energy for use in recreational complexes, to fish farming (low-temperature geothermal energy). Lindal’s diagram determines the possibilities of using warm groundwater for many investment projects. In light of the drive to avoid climate change, it seems that the conventional “one-way” use of geothermal water resources is insufficient. Therefore, this article presents an optimal innovative solution wherein geothermal water is fully utilized in a geothermal cogeneration installation to produce heat and electricity and to provide cooling. In addition, it was proposed to expand the investment with photovoltaic and hydropower plants to ensure greater energy independence by diversifying energy sources and increasing the share of energy supplies based on renewable energy sources. Such a broad approach allows for the implementation of a sustainable development strategy in the field of environmental protection. The proposed solution involves the modernization and expansion of the existing energy generation sources by a heating plant and a geothermal power plant in Chochołowskie Termy (South Poland), as well as the construction of a power plant based on a photovoltaic installation, hydropower setup, and energy storage. The presented innovative solution may be an excellent example of implementation for similar geothermal facilities in the world. The novelty of the system is the approach of assessing and combining the different RES in one project, based on a geothermal plant. Popularizing this solution in the wider scientific environment may have a real impact in terms of the reduction of pollutant emissions.

Keywords: geothermal water; renewable energy sources; climate change; sustainable management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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