Updates from the Geothermal Atlas for Africa project (LEAP-RE Pillar 2)
Geothermal Atlas For Africa News
Africa is still a continent where geothe...
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All of Africa
Lead: Universita Degli Studi di Firenze
©Egbert Jolie. Field work in Ethiopia (Aluto volcanic complex) with colleagues from the Geological Survey of Ethiopia GSE and the GFZ Potsdam, Germany.
The objective is to define the origin and location of low to high enthalpy geothermal resources for the development of African electricity production, plus a range of direct heat/cold use applications and water use.
This will be achieved by identifying, organising, assessing, classifying, and interpreting: (1) geoscientific information (e.g., geology, geochemistry, geophysics), (2) technological information (e.g., existing power plants, installed capacity), and (3) social aspects with a multi-scale approach (local, regional, continental) to define the origin and location of low to high enthalpy geothermal resources for the development of African electricity production, plus a range of direct heat/cold use applications and water use.
Results will be made available through a Geothermal Atlas for Africa (GAA) printed and online, which will allow easy access to relevant information on geothermal resources for scientists, project developers, policy & decision-makers, and investors. WP9 refers to the LEAP-RE Research area on the assessment of geothermal resources.
Low to high enthalpy geothermal resources exist across the African continent, however, the utilisation is still minimal. East Africa has well-known high enthalpy geothermal resources due to its geological setting (East African Rift System). The potential for power generation related to this favourable geological condition is extensive, but geothermal development has (to date) been limited. Kenya is leading the development with an installed capacity of 690 MWe, largely at one site (Olkaria), demonstrating that large-scale development of renewable energy resources can be done in this part of Africa.
The current focus is mainly on high-temperature resources (i.e., East African Rift), while low-medium systems are still neglected, even though they could provide sustainable heat/energy sources for industrial purposes, tourism, and others. If the development of other large- and small-scale systems (both electrical and direct use) is to be achieved, then it is imperative that we have a sufficient understanding of (1) the many geothermal resources (from low to high-enthalpy) on the continent as well as (2) the existing surface infrastructures and (3) social needs and specificities.
The project will be developed in two main areas:
Africa is still a continent where geothe...
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