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Geothermal Resources Worldwide, Direct Heat Utilization of

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Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology

Definition of the Subject

Direct or non-electric utilization of geothermal energy refers to the immediate use of the heat energy rather than to its conversion to some other form such as electrical energy. The primary forms of direct-use include heating swimming pools and baths, and for balneology (therapeutic use), space heating and cooling including district heating, agriculture (mainly greenhouse heating, crop drying, and some animal husbandry), aquaculture (mainly fish pond and raceway heating), providing heat for industrial processes, and heat pumps (for both heating and cooling). In general, the geothermal fluid temperatures required for direct heat use are lower than those for economic electric power generation, and as a result these resources are available in most countries.

Most direct-use applications use geothermal fluids in the low-to-moderate temperature range between 50°C and 150°C, and in general, the reservoir can be exploited by conventional water well drilling...

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Abbreviations

Agribusiness applications:

In the geothermal context, they are the heating of greenhouses and open ground for various crops, aquaculture ponds and raceways heating for various aquatic species, and the heating of animal pens and houses in an effort to increase production and shorting the growing cycle.

Balneology:

The science of healing qualities of baths, especially with natural mineral waters and the therapeutic use of natural warm or mineral winters.

District heating:

Heating of more than one building from a central heating plant with the heated fluid provided through a central distribution systems of pipes.

Heat exchanger:

A device for transferring heat from one fluid to another. The fluids are usually separated by conducting walls of metal or plastic.

Heat pump:

A device which, by the consumption of work or heat, effects the transport of heat between a lower temperature to a higher temperature source. The useful output is heat in conventional usage. The reverse process is called a refrigerator used for the removal of heat.

Joule (J):

The SI unit for all forms of energy or work. It is equal to 1 W-s or 0.239 cal.

Spa:

A resort using mineral water for bathing, soaking, and drinking along with covering portions of the body with mineral muds for therapeutic purposes. Diet, exercise, and rest can also be part of the spa treatment plan.

Watt (W):

A unit of power or energy produced over time, equivalent to 1 J/s, or 0.001341 horse power (hp).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geo-Heat Center, Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, OR, USA, 97601

    Dr. John W. Lund

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  1. Dr. John W. Lund
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Correspondence to John W. Lund .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. RAMTECH LIMITED, Larkspur, CA, USA

    Robert A. Meyers

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Lund, J.W. (2012). Geothermal Resources Worldwide, Direct Heat Utilization of. In: Meyers, R.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_305

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