Subregion-Scale Geothermal Delineation Based on Image Analysis Using Reflection Seismology and Well Data with an Outlook for Land Use

Erika Buday-Bódi, Ali Irfan, Richard William McIntosh, Zsolt Zoltán Fehér, József Csajbók, Csaba Juhász, László Radócz, Arnold Szilágyi and Tamás Buday
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Erika Buday-Bódi: Institute of Water and Environmental Management, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Ali Irfan: Institute of Water and Environmental Management, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Richard William McIntosh: Department of Mineralogy and Geology, Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Zsolt Zoltán Fehér: Institute of Water and Environmental Management, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
József Csajbók: Institute of Crop Sciences, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi St., 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Csaba Juhász: Arid Land Research Centre, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi St., 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
László Radócz: Institute of Plant Protection, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi St., 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Arnold Szilágyi: Institute of Plant Protection, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi St., 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Tamás Buday: Department of Mineralogy and Geology, Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-21

Abstract: The role of geothermal energy is smaller in the global energy mix than what its potential would indicate, but it can be improved by incorporating geothermal energy potential assessments into spatial planning. For adequate decision support and sustainable utilisation, subregion-scale assessments should be applied due to the high variability in geothermal characteristics. Different GIS tools were used for the interpretation and integration of the different spatial data into one model showing areas with their geothermal characteristics on maps. Considering the present study site with a size of 83 km × 103 km located in NE Hungary, 39 2D reflection seismic sections and high-resolution geological data of 137 thermal wells were interpreted in OpendTect and then in ArcGIS to define spatial differences in geothermal potential. It was found that nine geothermal subregions (GSRs) can be distinguished in the present study site based on the applied GIS algorithms. Each GSR was characterised and land-use structure was studied based on Corine Land Cover 2018. The exploitation of water with at least 30 °C is possible in all GSRs, while the maximum achievable temperature and reservoir geometry vary; a subregion-scale delineation framework is required for regional planning.

Keywords: reflection seismic interpretation; geothermal subregions; GIS tools; Corine Land Cover 2018 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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