An estimation of the enhanced geothermal systems potential for the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

An estimation of the Enhanced Geothermal System's theoretical technical potential for the Iberian Peninsula is presented in this work. As a first step, the temperature at different depths (from 3500m to 9500m, in 1000m steps) has been estimated from existing heat flow, temperature at 1000m and temperature at 2000 m depth data. From the obtained temperature-at-depth data, an evaluation of the available heat stored for each 1km thick layer between 3 and 10km depth, under some limiting hypotheses, has been made. Results are presented as the net electrical power that could be installed, considering that the available thermal energy stored is extracted during a 30 year project life. The results are presented globally for the Iberian Peninsula and separately for Portugal (continental Portugal), Spain (continental Spain plus the Balearic Islands) and for each one of the administrative regions included in the study. Nearly 6% of the surface of the Iberian Peninsula, at a depth of 3500m has a temperature higher than 150°C. This surface increases to more than 50% at 5500m depth, and more than 90% at 7500m depth. The Enhanced Geothermal System's theoretical technical potential in the Iberian Peninsula, up to a 10km depth (3km-10km) and for temperatures above 150°C, expressed as potential installed electrical power, is as high as 700GWe, which is more than 5 times today's total electricity capacity installed in the Iberian Peninsula (renewable, conventional thermal and nuclear). © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.