Role of geothermal energy in district heat supply in Hungary

The proportion of geothermal energy in Hungarian district-heating is very low. In the next century the usage of renewables must be at least tripled regarding the heating of buildings, which can be achieved mainly by using thermal water. By this method a large amount of natural gas can be replaced, and the increasing rate of district-heating costs can be slowed. The basic heat will be provided by geothermal energy and the gas boilers will be peak heat suppliers. Our Department has taken part in the construction of the largest geothermal district-heating system in Szentes, Hungary, where already four districts are supplied with thermal water. In this project 32000 GJ/a heat usage is accomplished