GEOЕTHERMAL OVERVIEW OF UKRAINE

Abstract

This article is the summary of a report that was presented in March 2023 during the Ukrainian-Spanish cycle of conferences as of 'Global vision of Ukrainian Geology the 'Future of Geothermal Energy in Ukraine', organized by GEO3BCN-CSIC. The geothermal potential of Ukraine can play a key role in accelerating the transition to clean energy. Therefore, this article provides a detailed characteristics of the main types of geothermal sources in Ukraine, such as shallow geothermal, thermal waters and deep geothermal which can be apply for direct use, district heating as well as electricity generation. Analysis of the distribution of deep heat flux values on the territory of Ukraine, which varies from 40 to over 120 mW/m2, allows to identify three main prospective zones, confined to the main oil and gas-bearing regions such as Transcarpathian (west), Steppe Crimea (south) and Dnipro-Donetsk basin (east). The total geothermal potential of Ukraine is estimated at 438*106 kWh p/ year. Annual technically achievable energy potential of geothermal energy in Ukraine is equivalent to 8,4 Mtoe, and its use can save around 10 bcm of natural gas. Currently, the development of geothermal energy is at an initial stage in Ukraine. Only low-temperature thermal waters are used mainly for recreational purposes in Transcarpathia and for heat supply in the Crimea. Therefore, it should be paid valuable attention to additional geothermal research and tools to stimulate the development of geothermal energy in Ukraine. The transition to clean and affordable energy sources will allow to build a new powerful economy, overcome socio-economic challenges, solve the problem of climate change, and also increase the safety and well-being of Ukrainians.