Appropriate Integration of Geothermal Energy Sources by Pinch Approach: Case Study of Croatia

Geothermal energy is a widely available renewable energy source. In Croatia geological data has been indicating promising potential, especially in the North-Eastern part of the country with a geothermal gradient higher than 49°C/Km and terrestrial heat flux of 76mW/m2. Nonetheless, despite this potential, this resource is not highly exploited to date. Efficient use of geothermal energy can contribute on reducing Croatia’s energy dependence. In this paper, a methodology of a possible integration of geothermal energy within residential, commercial and industrial systems was attempted. Pinch analysis was used to find the best ways to fulfill the energy system requirements in an efficient, clean and cost-effective way. The used approach gives a good overall picture of energy targets for process, site and utility levels. The recommendation for cost-effective integration of geothermal energy into regional energy network is considered by use of Total Site Analysis. Additional attention was paid to geothermal energy utilization in low enthalpy sedimentary environments. The obtained results can be used for integration of geothermal energy in different cases and “countries”. It gives general recommendation for geothermal sources placement as well as for energy planning and regional sustainability.

[1]  Jiří Jaromír Klemeš,et al.  Methodology for Maximising the Use of Renewables with Variable Availability , 2011 .

[2]  Assaad Zoughaib,et al.  A MILP algorithm for utilities pre-design based on the Pinch Analysis and an exergy criterion , 2015, Comput. Chem. Eng..

[3]  Tomislav Kurevija,et al.  Influence of Undisturbed Ground Temperature and Geothermal Gradient on the Sizing of Borehole Heat Exchangers , 2011 .

[4]  Zvonimir Guzović,et al.  Design and analysis of heat recovery system in bioprocess plant , 2015 .

[5]  K. Kim,et al.  Assessment of pinch point characteristics in heat exchangers and condensers of ammonia–water based power cycles , 2014 .

[6]  J. Lund,et al.  Direct utilization of geothermal energy 2015 worldwide review , 2011 .

[7]  Jiří Jaromír Klemeš,et al.  Integration of Geothermal Energy in the Case of North-eastern Morocco , 2013 .

[8]  Miroslav Golub,et al.  Croatia Country Update 2015 and On , 2015 .

[9]  Zvonimir Guzović,et al.  Possibilities of electricity generation in the Republic of Croatia from medium-temperature geothermal sources , 2012 .

[10]  Bodo Linnhoff,et al.  A User guide on process integration for the efficient use of energy , 1994 .

[11]  D. A. Reay,et al.  Heat pumps : design and application : a practical handbook for plant managers, engineers, architects, and designers , 1979 .

[12]  Qiang Liu,et al.  Performance analyses of a hybrid geothermal–fossil power generation system using low-enthalpy geothermal resources , 2016 .

[13]  Johan Isaksson,et al.  Application of Pinch Analysis in an Integrated Steel Plant in Northern Sweden , 2013 .

[14]  Jin-Kuk Kim,et al.  Integrated design and optimization of technologies for utilizing low grade heat in process industries , 2014 .

[15]  Robin Smith,et al.  Chemical Process: Design and Integration , 2005 .

[16]  Jiří Jaromír Klemeš,et al.  Methodology for maximising the use of renewables with variable availability , 2012 .

[17]  Ian C. Kemp,et al.  Pinch Analysis and Process Integration: A User Guide on Process Integration for the Efficient Use of Energy , 2007 .

[18]  Robin Smith,et al.  Heat recovery and power targeting in utility systems , 2015 .

[19]  Jiří Jaromír Klemeš,et al.  Forty years of Heat Integration: Pinch Analysis (PA) and Mathematical Programming (MP) , 2013 .

[20]  François Maréchal,et al.  Defining Optimal Configurations of Geothermal Systems Using Process Design and Process Integration Techniques , 2011 .

[21]  Martin John Atkins,et al.  Carbon Emissions Pinch Analysis for emissions reductions in the New Zealand transport sector through to 2050 , 2015 .

[22]  Mamdouh A. Gadalla,et al.  A novel graphical technique for Pinch Analysis applications: Energy Targets and grassroots design , 2015 .

[23]  Jiří Jaromír Klemeš,et al.  Process optimisation to minimise energy use in food processing , 2007 .

[24]  Yvonne Koch Sustainability In The Process Industry Integration And Optimization , 2016 .

[25]  Sharifah Rafidah Wan Alwi,et al.  Process Integration and Intensification: Saving Energy, Water and Resources , 2014 .

[26]  Stefano Moret,et al.  Geothermal Energy and Biomass Integration in Urban Systems: a Case Study , 2015 .