Geological context and thermo-economic study of an indirect heat ORC geothermal power plant for the northeast region of Algeria

Hamza Semmari, Foued Bouaicha, Sofiane Aberkane, Abdelkader Filali, Daniela Blessent and Messaoud Badache

Energy, 2024, vol. 290, issue C

Abstract: This article presents a study of the electricity generation potential using ORC systems of the most important geothermal sites in northeastern Algeria, combining geological, thermodynamic and economic analysis. The results highlight that geothermal electricity is technically feasible with the selected indirect heat ORC geothermal plant. Such production can present an interesting economic profitability when considering the international electricity price. The best economic performance was obtained for the geothermal site of Meskhoutine leading to a depreciated payback period of 10.8 years. The electricity production cost was evaluated at 0.21$/kWh for an electricity production capacity of 498 kW. Such performance is completely breakdown when considering Algerian subsidised electricity prices. These subsidies must be revised. Otherwise, it will harm the profitability of renewable energy systems, limit their development, and constrain seriously the Algerian energy transition road map.

Keywords: Geothermal energy; Waste heat recovery; Energy efficiency; Indirect heat ORC power plant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:290:y:2024:i:c:s036054422400094x

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.130323

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