Closed Carbon Geothermal Energy

Introduction

Continental Croatia has vast geothermal potential; however, only a negligible share of it is exploited for energy generation. The proposed Project, located in north-west Croatia, aims to make a difference in the geothermal sector and support Croatia on an energy transition pathway.

Project Objectives

The objective of the Project is to implement one line for the production of power and heat from the gas dissolved in the geothermal water using the internalization of carbon compounds.

Technology and Environmental Impact

The proposed Action is a part of a fully planned advanced geothermal power plant using the internalization of carbon compounds (ICC), which would result in nearly zero GHG emissions throughout the Project lifetime and add to the net-carbon removal efforts.

By implementing the ICC technology to generate power and heat from dissolved combustible gases extracted from a geothermal well, the Project will lay the groundwork for efficient usage of low-temperature geothermal fields. This will enable scaling up of the technology and the Project itself.

Geothermal Resource Characteristics

The characteristic of the geothermal fluids in the Pannonian basin, where the Project is located, is that they contain a certain amount of dissolved gases that can be utilized in the ICC process described in the proposed Project. Therefore, the overall potential application of this technology is wider than Croatia only.

Project Location

The location of the Project in settlement Dražkovec near the city of Prelog is ideally placed in a flat area, well accessible by a main regional state road and equipped with all infrastructure for the development of the planned full geothermal plant for heat and energy generation.

Resource and Permits

The main resource of the proposed Project for power and heat generation is geothermal brine with dissolved HC gases, proven in the research phase and with proven reserves.

The Project has successfully finalized the research phase with all mining, geological, and reservoir investigations, obtained the concession for exploiting the geothermal field, as well as a construction permit.