6 Month Courses on geothermal energy utilisation in Iceland, 2014

Project facts

Project promoter:
EDA Renewables
Project Number:
PT03-0002
Target groups
Manager, leaders, teachers, trainers, administrators and technical staff from eligible institutions
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€15,000
Final project cost:
€15,000
From EEA Grants:
€ 10,838
The project is carried out in:
Região Autónoma dos Açores

Description

The RED Directive established a common framework for all EU member states to set on one hand mandatory national targets for the overall share of energy from renewable sources, and on the other hand measures for information and training. Education and awareness raising have a crucial role. In the field of education experts/specialists will need to be trained as the development of a green economy will require special expertise. The objective of the project is to raise the capacity of the target groups set according to the relevant needs and demands in Azores archipelago offering six months specialized at the United Nations University. The United Nations University has a vast experience in this field assisting countries with significant geothermal potential, like Azores Archipelago, since the Geothermal Training Programme has operated in Iceland since 1979. It is anticipated that these courses will contribute to improved skills of Azorean professionals in high enthalpy geothermal energy utilization and understanding of sustainable use of energy resources which is the basis for future economic growth and well being.

Summary of project results

In São Miguel island, EDA RENOVÁVEIS operates two binary cycle ORC power plants – Ribeira Grande and Pico Vermelho, with a combined capacity of 23 MW, exploiting geothermal resources from the Ribeira Grande geothermal reservoir. In 2014, the production from the geothermal source was 183 GWh, representing 44% of the island of São Miguel and 23% of the Azores. New investment projects are being developed to increase the penetration of the geothermal source in the market power of the Azores. Because of its multidisciplinary, geothermal energy isn´t taught as a common subject at universities. Therefore, the objective of the project was to enhance the scientific and technological skills of two Azorean professionals from EDA RENOVÁVEIS in high enthalpy geothermal resources, through the participation in a six-month postgraduate geothermal training programme of the United Nations University (UNU-GTP) in Iceland. Two Azorean professionals in high enthalpy geothermal energy utilization improved their skills and knowledge in the scope of the sustainable exploitation of geothermal resources for power production (baseline=0) and two scientific papers originating in the Programme published (baseline=0).

Summary of bilateral results

The six-month geothermal training programme consists of specialized classes in geological exploration, borehole geology, geophysical exploration, borehole geophysics, reservoir engineering, chemistry of thermal fluids, environmental science, geothermal utilization, and drilling technology. During 2014, two Azorean professionals from EDA RENOVÁVEIS participated in the programme in their fields of specialization (reservoir engineering and drilling technology). Two scientific papers were published as an outcome of the final project, namely referring to a temperature model and tracer test analysis for the Ribeira Grande geothermal system, São Miguel Island, Azores and to the control of calcium carbonate scaling in the geothermal well PV8, combining chemical inhibition and mechanical reaming. Under the partnership that was established, it was possible to gain and share new knowledge, and experiences, and build new capacities. In consequence, bilateral relations between Iceland and Azores were strengthened, contributing to lifelong learning, which is absolutely essential in such an innovative area like geothermal energy technology. The knowledge and experience gained were put into practice in their home projects, in benefit of the Region that aims to increase the contribution of the geothermal source in their power production system.