High radiogenic granites of western Anatolia for EGS: A review

Abstract

Turkey has made remarkable progress in the hydrothermal sector by promoting both electricity generation and direct application. In terms of power generation, this country is the fourth top country in the world. Nearly 1 billion kWh of energy is being utilized to keep 150,000 homes warm in the winter. In addition, Turkey has huge amounts of uptapped energy in its high radiogenic granites in western Anatolia, spread over a cumulative area of 6,910 km2. The radioactive heat generated by these granites varies from 5 to 13 µW/m3. These granite plutons are located over a region with high heat flow values (120 mW/m2) and the Curie temperature isotherm in this region is located at a depth varying from 6 to 12 km. The heat flow values here are 50% higher than the world average. This thermal regime concurs well with the wet granite melting curve at a heat flow of 85 mW/m2. The entire thermal regime indicates a visco-elastic lower crustal layer in this region. Thus, these granites provide excellent sites for initiating Enhanced Geothermal Systems projects in Turkey. Earlier EGS projects in France and Australia gave power estimates of 79×106 kWh of electricity from 1km3 of such granite. With ongoing development in drilling technology, the classical concept of creating a fracture network is being replaced with loop technology that reduces minor seismic risks and also the cost of power. The most important additional advantage Turkey has is the high-temperature regime at shallow depth, unlike other countries where the granites are located at depths >5km. These factors cause the cost of power to fall below 6 euro cents per kWh. Besides the power and heat, the greatest advantage is the reduction in emissions and achieving UN sustainable development goals. A conservative estimate shows that these radiogenic granites of western Anatolia are capable of generating a minimum of 546×109 kWh of power. Energy from these granites can be utilized to generate freshwater using the desalination method. Earlier studies indicate that to produce 1 m3 of desalinated water, ~16 kWh of electrical energy are needed. The cost of fresh water generated using geothermal energy sources will be <1.5 euros per 1m3. Turkey can utilize the energy from granite for water and food security in the future. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Dornadula Chandrasekharam and Alper Baba.