Exploring Geothermal Energy for Central Heating in Bucharest
Electrocentrale Bucharest (ELCEN), the Romanian electric company, is looking into utilizing geothermal energy for the central heating system in Bucharest. The company has initiated this project by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the American company Sage Geosystems, which will assess the feasibility of the idea.
EU Assistance
Bucharest aims to be able to use geothermal sources in the northern part of the city for central heating in a few years, said Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduga. The initiation of the feasibility study was agreed upon with the Bucharest-based company.
Geothermal Energy Partnership for Cleaner Air and Lower Costs
The United States company specializing in geothermal energy and storage business has recently announced a partnership with the Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation Partnership (P-TECC) forum. The deal, according to Burduja, is a public-private partnership that aims to bring about cleaner air and lower energy bills for consumers.
Earlier this year, the US Department of Energy pledged to fund the research for this project, as highlighted by Burduja. Electrocentrale Bucharest will be applying for grants from the European Union’s Modernization Fund to support their geothermal central project.
Integrating Renewable Energy Sources into Central Heating Systems
It has been noted that there are already surveys in the northern part of the capital city, and it would be a shame not to utilize them. Integrating renewable energy sources into central heating systems requires energy storage and flexibility capacity. The central heating system in Bucharest cannot be transformed without incorporating renewable sources, said ELCEN’s general manager, Claudiu Cretu. We are focusing, alongside geothermal energy, on the energy storage part, both thermal and electric.
Geothermal Energy Solution for Heating in Bucharest
Heating Bucharest with wind or solar energy is not feasible, according to experts. “We need to be realistic,” said one expert. The solution lies in integrating geothermal energy, energy storage, and flexible capacities, claims Kretsu, as reported by Balkangreenenergynews.
Pilot Project
The introduction of geothermal central heating in Bucharest will begin with a pilot project, he explained. The system will require additional drilling, according to Kretsu. Sage Geosystems, based in Houston, Texas, is responsible for the technical and geological analysis and feasibility study.
Romania’s Local Authorities Embrace Renewable Energy
Many local authorities in Romania are working on projects related to renewable energy, particularly solar energy, to meet their own energy needs. Bucharest is following the example of municipalities that are turning to geothermal energy for heating. In the Arad county in western Romania, the towns of Pecica and Santana have received grants from the EU and are implementing activities to heat public buildings using geothermal energy.
