23 Feb 2024
GEOPLAT participates in RAC Dialogues on Geothermal Energy
GEOPLAT, represented by Celestino García de la Noceda, from the Platform’s Steering Group, participated in the colloquium ‘Geothermal energy: a renewable, profitable and constant energy‘, organised on 21 February by the Real Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales de España (RAC), in collaboration with the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME) and the Sociedad Geológica de España.
Celestino explained what geothermal energy is and the classification that can be made of geothermal energy according to its use, thermal or electrical. He reviewed the main types of existing geothermal power plants and their characteristics. He also highlighted exploration and reservoir stimulation techniques and the need to develop improvements in drilling systems to reduce initial costs.
The geothermal expert mentioned some of the qualities of geothermal energy, such as the fact that it is available 24 hours a day all year round, is renewable, allows for sustainable use, has low maintenance costs and is a highly efficient technology for heating and air conditioning. He stressed that Spain has shallow geothermal energy available throughout the country and that in certain areas, both in the Canary Islands and in the Peninsula, it is possible to develop projects for the use of deep geothermal energy.
Other speakers at the conference included Álvaro Arnáiz (Repsol, member of GEOPLAT), Cristina de Santiago Buey (IGME), Antonio Cendrero (RAC) and Alfonso Muñoz Martín (Dean of Geological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid).
The recording of this session is available on the website of the Real Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales de España.