print mail USE OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY AT BANSKO

§ Path: Macedonia / Bansko / Sector: Fuel switching

§ CURRENT STATUS: The project is on the beginning.

The objective of the project is to complete the basic district heating network in the village Bansko, in the South-Eastern part of Macedonia, with the possibility of selling the heat to local consumers (spa facilities, hotels, greenhouses, residencies etc.).

By the realization of the project, the present use of coal, light and heavy oil and wood for heating shall be replaced by the use of geothermal energy. In that way, CO2 emissions shall be significantly reduced and competitiveness of the agricultural producers improved. 
The existing base for project realization is the exploitation of borehole IED-1 with the capacity of 50 l/s and a temperature of 70°C, which supplies heat to one spa and hotel facility, and approx. 8 ha of greenhouses, as well as sanitary hot water to the hospital and several smaller hotels. The supply system is currently without proper regulation of heat supply and without centralized management and maintenance.
Project completion consists of:
  • Review of the current research results, and subsequent set of measurements in order to verify the planned locations for two new exploitation boreholes;
  • Completion of two exploitation boreholes IED-3 (750 m depth, 60 l/s, 70-80°C) and IED-4 (850 m depth, 70 l/s, 80-120°C);
  • Completion of the central distribution station, consisting of plate heat exchangers set, one heat accumulator of 1.500-2.000 m3, pump station and automatic regulation system for heat supply to the district heating scheme;
  • Completion of distribution line, in the length of 1 km, from the central station to the location of heat consumers.

Applied Methodology

All project activities are small-scale renewable energy projects with a maximum thermal output of app. 35 MW, which is less than the limit of 45 MWth. The estimated emission reduction could be calculated by using the simplified methodology for small scale projects "Thermal energy for the user" I.C.

Estimated GHG offset

The calculated annual emission reductions are app. 36.000 tCO2eq and app. 360.000 tCO2eq for the 2008-2018 period.

Sustainability

Upon project realization, a heat source of 34,5 MW shall be generated, with annual heat supply of about 120.000 MWh, in a renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
The project shall increase the area of heated greenhouses producing winter and early spring vegetables, out of which 90% is for export, shall enable the introduction of clean and cheap central heating in all existing and new hotels and hospitals, as well as in public buildings, industrial facilities and stores. It shall also increase the standard of living of the local population and, consequently, possibilities for their incorporation in the tourism activities.
The project shall create conditions for employment in the fields of agriculture and tourism, strengthening in such a way the local economy.
The project shall assist the Republic of Macedonia in stimulating development of renewable energies and their commercial introduction in different sectors. Likewise, it will be helpful in overcoming the present negative trends in the state energy balance, it will allow a reduction of CO2 and other harmful gases emission, energy supply diversification, opening possibilities for sustainable economic growth and employment of young generations in small communities, i.e. reducing the present emigration to the EU and other countries worldwide.

Current status

Winner of tender process: Italian Utilities
The project is on the beginning. Due to the change of the team for the development of the CDM project there is no progress so far in this project.

Estimated investment cost

Taking into account different options defined by the project description, the preliminary estimated investment cost would range from 2 to 2.5 millions €, including:
  • Expansion of the geothermal resource exploitation with two new boreholes IED-3 and IED-4;
  • Re-injections wells, including new pumping equipment for well IED-1 and a deep rehabilitation of the same well (well head, casing, etc.);
  • Completion of the central distribution station;
  • Completion of the distribution system.

Local partner

Municipality of Strumica.