Geothermal energy utilisation by cascaded model application: a techno-economic analysis-with particular reference to puga.

Abstract

In any calculation of the world energy resources, the finiteness of fossil fuel resources set the limits. Most authorities are agreed that by the turn of the century there could be a rapidly developing shortfall in the available supply of fossil fuels. Though short term solutions can be achieved by improved efficiency in the production, conversion, distribution and utilization of existing energy sources, it would be wrong to conserve energy at any price. The only alternative is to ensure adequate energy supplies for the future by the substitution of non-depletable resources for depletable fossil fuels. This can be achieved if existing engineering & economic resources are co-ordinated and dedicated to the development of the new energy resources. Prior to undertaking this venture, it is essential to grasp the techno-economic implications of the development of any renewable resource. Since the oil crisis of the seventies, geothermal energy has emerged as a very promising new nondepletable resource among several novel non-conventional energy resources. There are about 113 hydrothermal systems in India and Puga geothermal resource in the North-West Himalayan region lying in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir has been identified as the most potential for multiple utilization such as power generation, space heating, greenhousing and aquaculture. A cascaded model entitled CAMPER is conceived and the system is evaluated with the help i ■ of a number of techno-economic models in a three-tier mode of * alternative scenarios. Geothermal energy resource exploitation in Puga by cascaded application is both technically feasible and economically viable. Chapter I which is introductory describes the ramifications of geothermal energy, the environmental implications of its utilization, the location of geothermal energy resources of India and the objectives of the study, in addition to a profile of Puga where this study was done. Chapter II analyses the technical systems for resource extraction, power generation, space heating, greenhouse construction, aquaculture and waste-reinjection. While Chapter III develops the techno-economic models for evaluation of the sub-systems, Chapter IV specifies the data. Chapter V delineates the tools of techno-economic analysis with the help of life cycle cost analysis, sensitivity analysis and scenario comparisons besides a number of computer programs written for the purpose. Chapter VI presents the results of analyses module by module. Chapter VII draws all the threads together to capture the main findings of the techno-economic analysis