Case Study of Using the Geothermal Potential of Mine Water for Central District Heating—The Rožná Deposit, Czech Republic

Michal Vokurka,Antonín Kunz

doi:10.3390/su14042016

Abstract

This paper analyzes the possibility of using the thermal energy of discharged environmentally friendly mine water for the heat supply of a selected locality. There are few cases of industrial use of geothermal water in the Czech Republic, but mine water has never been the source. Based on this fact, an analysis of the usability of mine water at the Rožná I Mine was carried out. The analysis showed that the energy output of this pumped water was sufficient for the selected location of the municipality of Dolní Rožínka, where long-term annual average consumptions are at a level of 4350 GJ. The theoretical maximum output of this source is calculated as 837.4 kW; therefore, it exceeds the output required to satisfy the energy needs of this location several times over. Based on this input information, a technical and economic model of the heating system installation project was developed with three options. The case study aimed to find and propose an optimal alternative solution to replace the current unsatisfactory state of heat supply in the village of Dolní Rožínka. In the final part of this paper, the most optimal option is identified by a comparative method, which replaces the existing central district heating based on the production of heat energy from natural gas, i.e., fossil fuels. This study was motivated by a strategy to replace fossil energy sources with renewable energy sources wherever conditions are suitable.

Highlights

Received: 11 January 2022Reducing the use of traditional fossil fuels for electricity and heat generation is a current global trend, as the world seeks to obtain energy from other, more environmentally friendly sources
The purpose of this study is to show, while still holding the economic inputs constant, the most appropriate technical and economical option
District heating is provided by a central gas boiler plant, which is no longer capable of operating profitably

Summary

Introduction

Received: 11 January 2022Reducing the use of traditional fossil fuels for electricity and heat generation is a current global trend, as the world seeks to obtain energy from other, more environmentally friendly sources. The European Green Deal [1] states that the switch to alternative sources is the starting point for pollution-free energy production [2]. Following this decision, low-potential geothermal energy becomes an interesting alternative to the current heating system, whether in industrial or non-industrial use in Czech legislation. And economically available high-potential geothermal energy for electricity and heat production in the Czech Republic is practically absent. More than a thousand projects of various sizes are installed annually based on pumping low-potential geothermal energy as a source for heating and hot water. As far as the authors are aware, there is only one project in the Czech Republic that uses groundwater heat as one of the energy sources for central district heating (CDH), and that is in the city of Děčín in the north of the Czech Republic [4]

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Conclusion