Assessment of geothermal potential of Kumaun Himalaya: A perspective for harnessing green energy

Abstract

Energy is an essential part of human life, and its demand has exponentially increased after the industrial era, especially in developing countries. India has many geothermal springs (GTSs ∼340) in orogenic and non-orogenic belts, but their potential must be better known and utilized as an efficient green energy resource. Therefore, we attempted for the first time to estimate the reservoir temperature of geothermal springs (n = 17) using dissolved silica geothermometry along the Goriganga, Ramganga, and Kali rivers in the Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand. The average and highest reservoir temperatures were 113 °C and 135 °C at Savildhar, respectively. The average reservoir and fluid circulation depths were ∼1.24 km and 1.27 km, respectively. An inverse relationship between reservoir temperatures and the distance of geothermal fields from the Main Central Thrust evinces structural control over the geothermal fields. Most of the studied GTSs (n = 14) have reservoir temperatures between 100 °C and 150 °C, making them medium enthalpy and suitable for Binary Organic Rankine Cycle power plants. Two springs with reservoir temperatures between 70 °C and 100 °C can be used for industrial, space heating, balneotherapy, and other direct uses. Since geothermal power plants do not require any fuel to produce electricity, this study emphasizes on exploiting the geothermal potential of Himalayan geothermal springs.