27th meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council of KAZENERGY Association
On the topic: Development prospects and potential of geothermal energy in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
“Development prospects and potential of geothermal energy in the Republic of Kazakhstan” were discussed by experts at the Scientific and Technical Council, chaired by Deputy Chairman of KAZENERGY ALE Uzakbai Suleimenovich Karabalin, that took place on October 5 at KAZENERGY Association. Representatives of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Committee of Geology and Subsoil Use of the Ministry of Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Agriculture, and international experts of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, EEC, UN and others, as well as Plenipotentiary Representative of Portugal (Ambassador) and embassies of other countries, took active part in the meeting.
The potential of another type of renewable energy sources is not fully explored. This is geothermal energy (heat of ground, groundwater, rivers, reservoirs), the advantage of which is the possibility to use it both for heat supply and for power generation. In Kazakhstan, geothermal waters were found during regional geological studies, drilling of deep wells for hydrocarbon raw materials, and other works. According to the Director of the Department for Climate Change of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Agabekov, prospecting and evaluation works can be used for the purposes of heat and water supply of populated areas.
Senior Advisor for Research and Development at Arctic Green Energy Corporation, Iceland, Pall Valdimarsson, spoke about “Modern geothermal energy research: in the global world and in China”. He presented the current situation related to the effects of building heating on global warming, stressing the importance of transforming building heating into a geothermal energy source. In conclusion, he stated that the main capability in Kazakhstan is likely to be building heating, but there might be a possibility to generate electricity at the Organic Rankine Cycle power stations from the hottest geothermal fields. Arctic Green Energy and its partners have been using geothermal district heating systems in China for many years, and China’s experience is directly transferred to the geothermal resources and market in Kazakhstan.
Senior Energy Specialist at the WB Office in Kazakhstan Mitsunori Motohashi presented the World Bank's research on geothermal energy. He spoke about the benefits and challenges and the current typical risks and costs at each stage of project development, as well as the WBG's assistance in developing geothermal potential in Kazakhstan.
Representative of the Institute of Hydrogeology and Geoecology named after U. Ahmedsafin Malis Absametov reported on “Geothermal energy resources and extraction of rare elements” and “Pilot project of geothermal energy extraction in South Kazakhstan”. Noting that thermal waters are the most valuable minerals that can be used as a permanent source of energy resources hydromineral raw materials, balneological waters, etc., at relatively low costs. Developments of the Roadmap Project of geothermal energy sources research in the Republic of Kazakhstan were presented by Bakhyt Yessekina, Green Academy SEC. The report is focused on the relevance of comprehensive development of underground water, while addressing the problems of acute water shortages, global energy security and depletion of natural resources, which are highlighted among the 10 major global challenges in the Address of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbayev "Strategy "Kazakhstan - 2050 – A new political course for new Kazakhstan in fast changing historical conditions”.
Advisor to the Chairman of the Association Arman Satimov reminded that the 12 country pavilions at Expo 2017 showed individual solutions and successful projects in the field of geothermal energy and suggested implementing the proposed roadmap taking into account the work started by the World Bank experts and expecting results by December 2018, and involving as many national experts as possible, including those from the International Center for Green Technologies, Institute of Hydrogeology and Green Academy, and others.
материалы Научно-технического совета
