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Geothermal Resource Assessment of the Drava Basin

It is well known that due to its high temperature gradient the Pannonian basin is a favourable area for geothermal energy production. This natural resource is further enhanced by another advantage of the area ; knowledge and experience resulting from decades long geological, hydrogeological and hydrocarbon exploration. This knowledge has special importance as existence of subsurface resources is necessary, but not sufficient condition for providing sustainable energy for the population. This subsurface resource will only convert to useable energy source following adequately planned and executed exploration and exploitation program. Planning and execution starts with understanding and detailed mapping of subsurface startigraphy, hydrogeology and tectonics. As a first step areas with significant potential for geothermal energy utilization can be selected based on the results of geological and geophysical investigations. Selection of the most suitable technology on the other hand depends not only on subsurface hydrogeology, but also on present day and future geographical and economical considerations. All this is topped with environmental and legal considerations, which provide the framework for sustainable and well controlled energy utilisation. Subsurface geology is not changing on human timescale, but still it is difficult to reveal and understand it in great details. Technology on the other hand is rapidly developing and the environmental regulations tend to become stricter from year to year. This complexity and variety gives the difficulty and the beauty of geothermal energy utilization. All these aspects have been considered during the DravaGeo project which evaluated the cross-border area of Drava basin across the Hungarian-Croatian border. Drava basin is not only an excellent study area because of its subsurface geology. Hungarian hydrocarbon exploration started in the Drava basin and the neighbouring Zala basin, which was also part of our study area. A unique geological database resulting from almost 80 years of hydrocarbon exploration is a solid basis for geothermal exploration. At the same time southern border areas along the Croatian border are primary target areas for development. It is high time to reconsider resources and possibilities in these areas. As part of these reconsiderations both traditional and new areas should be considered. Geothermal energy may become one of the new key areas. Geology, hydrogeology and geothermal characteristics of the Drava basin is summarized in the first part of this book introducing several maps prepared during the project and never published before. These maps summarize project results and possible geothermal energy resource areas in the Hungarian-Croatian border area in an easy to understand way also for non-technical readers. Next chapters of the book give an overview of the economical, settlement development and legal aspects of the area providing a framework for project planning. Overview of geothermal technologies is presented in a CD-ROM publication of the DravaGeo project.

geothermal resources ; Drava basin ; evaluation ; landscape and settlement geography ; public administration ; regional development ; regional policy ; energetics ; renewable energy sources ; decision tree ; sequential decision making ; legal framework

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