Geothermal development in Hungary—country update report 2000–2002

This paper describes the status of geothermal energy utilization—direct use—in Hungary, with emphasis on developments between 2000 and 2002. The level of utilization of geothermal energy in the world increased in this period and geothermal energy was the leading producer, with 70% of the total electricity production, of all the renewable energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal and tidal), followed by wind energy at 28%. The current cost of direct heat usefrom biomass is 1–5 US￠/kWh, geothermal 0.5–5 US￠/kWh and solar heating 3–20 US￠/kWh. The data relative to direct use in Hungary decreased in this period and the contribution of geothermal energy to the energy balance of Hungary, despite significant proven reserves (with reinjection) of 380 million m3/year, with a heat content of 63.5 PJ/a at _T=40 ℃, remained very low (0.25%). Despite the fact that geothermal fluids with temperatures at the surface higher than 100 ℃ are available, no electricity has been generated. As of 31 December 2002, the geothermal capacity utilised in direct applications in Hungary is estimated to be 324.5 MWt and to produce 2804 TJ/year. Geothermal heat pumps represent about 4.0 MWt of this installed capacity. The quantity of thermal water produced for direct uses in 2002 was approximately 22 million m3, with an average utilization temperature of 31 ℃. The main consumer of geothermal energy is agriculture (68% of the total geothermal heat dedicated to direct uses). The

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