Abstract
The energy potential of geothermal resources at Tapoban Geothermal Field, situated in the orogenic region of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state in the Himalaya, is investigated based on physical parameters, reservoir temperature, borehole depth, and geochemical indicators. It is a prospective field of geothermal water exploitation for both electrical and non-electrical usages. The anomalous geothermal gradient due to the active Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone plays a significant role. To explore the feasibility of exploitation, the surface water temperature and pH from existing geothermal springs is calculated, which ranged from 45°C–93°C and 6.2–7.3, respectively. The study based on dissolved silica geothermometry shows an average reservoir temperature of ∼125 ± 2.0°C. The springs emerge from the prominent joint/weak zone in the country-rock with the discharge of hot waters up to 300 liter minute−1. The total geothermal heat energy of the reservoir is estimated as ∼874.35 × 1011 KJ. The energy estimated for the binary power geothermal plant is ∼1.02 MWe and 0.71 MWe for 20 years and 30 years, respectively. This energy can be increased manifolds by operating binary cycle power plant technique at multiple sites for an electric generation. The heat capacity from two dominant hot springs from Tapoban geothermal resource was found to be ∼0.84 MWt, which can be harnessed by the local people for direct usage. The annual energy use from this reservoir is ∼15.89 TJ per year with a capacity factor (CF) of ∼ 0.60, indicating that the energy reserve of the Tapoban geothermal field can be used for low to moderate scale energy production to partially meet the energy gap and future requirements.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Agarwal, N. C. and Mukhopadhyaya S.K. (1975) Progress Report for FSI 1974–75. Geol. Surv. India, Unpubld.
Anderson, A. and Rezaie, B. (2019) Geothermal technology: Trends and potential role in a sustainable future. Appl. Energy, v.248, pp.18–34.
Auden, J. B. (1937) Structure of the Himalaya in Garhwal. Rec. Geol. Surv. India, v.71, pp.407–433.
Bates, R.L., and Jackson, J.A., (Eds.) (1987) Glossary of Geology, 3rd ed., American Geological Institute, Alexandria, VA, 778p.
Bertani, R. (2012) Geothermal power generation in the world 2005–2010 update report. Feothermics, v.41, pp.1–29.
Bertani, R. (2016) Geothermal power generation in the world 2010–2014 update report. Geothermics, v.60, pp.31–43.
Bisht, H., Kotlia, B.S., Kumar, K., Joshi, L.M., Sah, S.K. and Kukreti, M. (2020) Estimation of the recession rate of Gangotri glacier, Garhwal Himalaya (India) through kinematic GPS survey and satellite data. Environ. Earth Sci., v.79(13), pp.1–14.
Carella, R., Verdiani, G., Palmerini, C.G. and Stefani, G.C. (1985) Geothermal activity in Italy: present status and future prospects. Geothermics, v. 14(2–3), pp.247–254.
Chandrasekharam, D., & Chandrasekhar, V. (2000) Geothermal energy resources of India: country update. In: Proceedings World Geothermal Congress, pp. 133–145.
Chandrasekharam, D., & Chandrasekhar, V. (2010) Hot dry rock potential in India: Future road map to make India energy Independent. In: World Geothermal Congress.
Craig, J., Absar, A., Bhat, G., Cadel, G., Hafiz, M., Hakhoo, N., … and Thusu, B. (2013) Hot springs and the geothermal energy potential of Jammu & Kashmir State, NW Himalaya, India. Earth-Sci. Rev., v.126, pp.156–177.
Datuin, R.T. and Troncales, A.C. (1986) Philippine geothermal resources: general geological setting and development. Geothermics, v.15(5–6), pp.613–622.
Dávalos-Elizondo, E., Atekwana, E.A., Atekwana, E. A., Tsokonombwe, G. and Laó-Dávila, D.A. (2021) Medium to low enthalpy geothermal reservoirs estimated from geothermometry and mixing models of hot springs along the Malawi Rift Zone. Geothermics, v.89, 101963.
Friedman, B. (2011) Geothermal Potential Touted. AAPG Explorer, 14p.
GSI (1991) Geothermal Atlas of India. Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ., no.19, 143p.
GSI (2001) Geothermal energy resources of India. Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ., no.69, 210p.
GSI (1987) Records of the geological survey of India. Calcutta: Geological Survey of India.
Guha, S.K. (1986) Status of exploration for geothermal resources in India. Geothermics, v.15(5–6), pp.665–675.
Gupta, H.K. (1980) Geothermal resources: an energy alternative. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 227p.
Gupta, H.K., Roy, S. (2006) Geothermal energy: an alternative resource for the 21 century. Elsevier.
Gupta, M.L. (1974) Geothermal resources of some Himalayan hot spring areas. Himalayan Geol., v.4, pp.492–515.
Hochstein, M. P., Zhongke, Y. and Ehara, S. (1990) The Fuzhou geothermal system (People’s Republic of China): modelling study of a low temperature fracture-zone system. Geothermics, v.19(1), pp.43–60.
Hunt, T.M. (1998) Recent developments in the New Zealand geothermal industry. Energy Sources, v.20(8), pp.777–786.
Kaczmarczyk, M., Tomaszewska, B. and Operacz, A. (2020) Sustainable utilization of low enthalpy geothermal resources to electricity generation through a cascade system. Energies, v.13(10), pp.2495.
Kumar, S., Gupta, S.K. and Rawat, M. (2020) Resources and utilization of geothermal energy in India: An eco-friendly approach towards sustainability. Materials Today: Proc., v.26, pp.1660–1665.
Leahy, M., Barden, J. L., Murphy, B. T., Slater-Thompson, N. and Peterson, D. (2013) International Energy Outlook 2013, US Energy Information Administration (EIA) OoEA, US Department of Energy (ed), Vol. Washington, DC.
Lund, J.W. and Freeston, D.H. (2001) World-wide direct uses of geothermal energy 2000. Geothermics, v.30(1), pp.29–68.
McNamara, D. D., Sewell, S., Buscarlet, E. and Wallis, I. C. (2016) A review of the Rotokawa geothermal field, New Zealand. Geothermics, v.59, pp.281–293.
Muffler, P. and Cataldi, R. (1978) Methods for regional assessment of geothermal resources. Geothermics, v.7(2–4), pp.53–89.
Pandey, O. P. and Negi, J.G. (1995) Geothermal fields of India: a latest update. In: Proc. World Geothermal Congress, Florence, Italy, pp.163–171.
Rai, S.K., Tiwari, S.K., Bartarya, S.K. and Gupta, A.K. (2015) Geothermal systems in the Northwest Himalaya. Curr. Sci., v.108, pp.1597–1599.
Reinsch, T., Dobson, P., Asanuma, H., Huenges, E., Poletto, F. and Sanjuan, B. (2017). Utilizing supercritical geothermal systems: a review of past ventures and ongoing research activities. Geothermal Energy, v.5(1), pp.1–25.
Sain, K. (2017) Gas-hydrates: A possible future energy resource. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.89, pp.359–362
Sain, K. and Gupta, H. (2012) Gas hydrates in India: Potential and development. Gondwana Res., v.22(2), pp.645–657.
Shankar, R. (1998). Geothermal regime in the Son-Narmada-Tapti lineament zone, Project Crumansunata, Geo. Surv. India Spec. Publ., no.10, pp.249–284.
Shanker, R. (1988) Heat-flow map of India and discussions on its geological and economic significance. Indian Minerals, v.42(2), pp.89–110.
Singh, H.K., Chandrasekharam, D., Trupti, G., Mohite, P., Singh, B., Varun, C. and Sinha, S.K. (2016) Potential geothermal energy resources of India: A review. Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, v.3(3), pp.80–91.
Sircar, A., Shah, M., Vaidya, D., Dhale, S., Sahajpal, S., Yadav, K., … and Shukla, Y. (2017) Performance simulation of ground source heat pump system based on low enthalpy geothermal systems. Emerging Trends in Chemical Engineering, v.4(1), pp.1–12.
Smith, T. (2007) A bright future for geothermal energy. In: GEOExPro, October 2007 (pp. 36–46).
Teklemariam, M. (2008) Overview of Geothermal resource utilization and potential in East African rift system. In: Proceedings of the 30th Anniversary Workshop of UNU-GTP, Reykjavik.
Tiwari, S.K. and Sain, K. (2021) Assessment of geothermal reservoirs temperature using dissolved silica geothermometry: A case study from Garhwal Northwest Himalaya, India. Himalayan Geol., v.42(2), pp.247–255.
Tiwari, S.K. (2014) Isotopic and geochemical studies of geothermal spring s of northwest Himalayas India implication for source and degassing of metaphoric CO2. (shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in).
Tiwari, S.K., Gupta, A.K. and Asthana, A.K.L. (2020) Evaluating CO2 flux and recharge source in geothermal springs, Garhwal Himalaya, India: stable isotope systematics and geochemical proxies. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res., pp.1–18.
Tiwari, S.K., Rai, S.K., Bartarya, S.K., Gupta, A.K. and Negi, M. (2016) Stable isotopes (δ13CDIC, δD, δ18O) and geochemical characteristics of geothermal springs of Ladakh and Himachal (India): Evidence for CO2 discharge in northwest Himalaya. Geothermics, v.64, pp.314–330.
Valdiya, K. S. (1999) Rising Himalaya: advent and intensification. Curr. Sci, 76(4), pp.0514.
Vedachalam, N., Srinivasalu, S., Rajendran, G., Ramadass, G. A., & Atmanand, M. A. (2015) Review of unconventional hydrocarbon resources in major energy consuming countries and efforts in realizing natural gas hydrates as a future source of energy. Jour. Natural Gas Sci. Engg., v.26, pp.163175.
World Meteorological Organization (2015). WMO statement on the status of the global climate in 2014. Geneva: World Meteorological Organization.
World Meteorological Organization. (2016) WMO Statement on the Status of the Global Climate in 2015. World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Yadav, K. and Sircar, A. (2019) Application of low enthalpy geothermal fluid for space heating and cooling, honey processing and milk pasteurization. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, v.14, 100499.
Yasukawa, K., Kubota, H., Soma, N. and Noda, T. (2018) Integration of natural and social environment in the implementation of geothermal projects. Geothermics, v.73, pp.111–123.
Younger, P.L., Gluyas, J.G. and Stephens, W.E. (2012) Development of deep geothermal energy resources in the UK. Proc. Instit. Civil Engineers-Energy, v.165(1), pp.19–32.
Zarrouk, S.J. and Moon, H. (2014) The efficiency of geothermal power plants: A worldwide review. Geothermics, v.51, pp.142–153.
Acknowledgment
The authors are thankful to the Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun, to provide all the facilities and ample support to carry out the present work. This work was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. This has the Wadia Institute contribution number WIHG/0187.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tiwari, S.K., Sain, K. & Yadav, J.S. Assessment of Geothermal Renewable Energy with Reference to Tapoban Geothermal Fields, Garhwal Northwest Himalaya, India. J Geol Soc India 98, 765–770 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-022-2066-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-022-2066-2