Geothermal applications in Turkey

Geothermal energy is mostly utilised in direct applications in Turkey. The equivalent of 61,000 residences are currently heated by geothermal fluids. A total of 665 MW_t is utilised for space heating of residential, public and private property, and 565,000 m² of greenhouses. Geothermal fluids are also used in 195 spas (327 MW_t), bringing the total direct use capacity to 992 MW_t. ORME Geothermal Inc. has completed the engineering design of a geothermal district heating system that serves the equivalent of nearly 300,000 residences. A total of 170 geothermal fields have been explored so far in Turkey. At Kizildere a single-flash power plant with 20.4 MW_e installed capacity is integrated with a factory producing liquid CO₂ and dry-ice. A binary cycle power plant with an installed capacity of 25 MW_e will be constructed shortly at Aydin/Germencik. The proven geothermal heat capacity, according to data from existing geothermal wells and natural discharges, is 3132 MW_t (I. Akkus, MTA General Directorate, oral communication, January 2003).