CEGA publishes first work on geothermal resources estimation for Santiago
Monday, 26 de September
During 2012 and 2013, CEGA in a joint venture with the Geology Department (University of Chile) developed a project commissioned by the Ministry of Energy to assess the geopthermal potential of highly demanding energy zones: Santiago and Talca. The paper “Estimating low-enthalpy geothermal energy potential for district heating in Santiago basin-Chile (33.5 ° S)” on the results obtained in the capital is available in the journal Renewable Energy.
The main objective of this project was to determine existing thermal parameters such as heat flow, thermal gradient and thermal conductivity in wells (and other facilities in depth) in the basin of Santiago and Talca and define areas that present thermal anomalies in the subsurface. In geothermal exploration, heat flow density maps are basic tools in determining the geothermal potential of an area, as they provide information about the manifestation of abnormal heat in the portions of the cortex that are closer to the surface.
The analysis carried by the CEGA team allowed to determine that the most favorable areas for using this energy source are those where the static level is shallower. In both basins, the most favorable zone is located to the west, where a maximum of 120 m drilled would be needed.
Following a similar area of study, since January 2015, CEGA began to take measurements in order to estimate the geothermal potential of Aysen Region (south of Chile, Patagonia), expanding the use of methodologies to quantify the resource for direct use as for the generation of electricity (indirect use). For more information about this project, visit here.