I would like to ask the Alternative Energy Development Board why geothermal energy has not been considered within the portfolio of energy sources promoted by the board? Currently, Geothermal energy provides about a quarter of the power needs of Iceland and Philippines, while Kenya aims for the 25% mark in the next few years. In addition, geothermal energy provides a significant portion of the power generation in dozens of other countries, including New Zealand, USA, Mexico, etc. Geothermal heat pumps are also used as a major source of heating for single-family homes in countries like Switzerland, Austria, etc.
A sample dry-rock heat pump (Source: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/pdf/heat_pumps/hp_tech_env_impact_aug2005.pdf)
A resource assessment needs to be carried out for geothermal energy in Pakistan. Usable areas could be those with naturally occurring hot springs, or those with a high temperature gradient (40 degrees Centigrade or more per km drilled into the earth), i.e. hot dry rock. At the least Pakistan can adopt geothermal heat pumps, which do not require as high underground temperatures, to take care of heating needs. Since heat pumps exchange heat with that of the earth, they can be used to provide heat for hot water, instead of the current gas geezers, as well as space heating for the house during the winter. In the summer, they can be run in reverse cycle to provide cooling for the homes, as they suck the heat out of the house back into the earth. Just the adoption of heat pumps can lead to significant savings of both natural gas (currently used for heating) and electricity (for air conditioning) in Pakistan. And if geothermal energy could be further exploited to increase the power generation capacity of Pakistan, then the benefits are limitless.
Much focus has been given to wind energy, which is available as a viable resource in less than 8% of Pakistani land according to an NREL study, only a fraction of which would be technically viable due to other existing uses for that land. Therefore, it is important that more attention be given to geothermal energy, which, when also considering heat pump applications, is a resource that could potentially be used all over Pakistan.
P.S. For a good introduction to heat pumps, both geothermal and ambient air, see this EU report.
Hi. I read a few of your other posts and wanted to know if you would be interested in exchanging blogroll links?
Nice information / hope to definitely come back again soon=)
Nida,
it is a useful suggestion. Do you have any data available about Geothermal tectonics of Pakistan and max U/G water temperature possible.
This is a great way to save energy. AEDB has initiated a project and a PC-I is underway to tap into Geothermal technology, introduce Heat Pumps and have a couple of pilot projects in Islamabad and in provincial capitals.
You are absolutely right that this is the way to go to save energy and also have clean energy for Pakistan.
We all need to push our government to invest in alternate sources of energy not only with the foreign funds but there should be funds allocated in the national budget.