Environmental effects of geothermal energy utilizations: A case study of the Seferihisar geothermal system, İzmir, Türkiye

Year 2024, Volume: 14 Issue: 2, 592 - 607, 15.06.2024

Mine Alacalı

https://doi.org/10.17714/gumusfenbil.1394922

Abstract

Geothermal resources are often regarded as environmentally friendly and sustainable resources. They are utilized for different purposes, including energy generation, thermal tourism and greenhouse cultivation. The utilization type depends on the temperature, chemical characteristics and the flow rates of available geothermal resources. In long-term applications, there is a need for research and monitoring process to assess environmental consequences. Also, supervised use of the resource is crucial for both the geothermal system and its environment, as there is a possibility of unpleasant impacts on the environment, as chemical pollution, subsidence, and thermal effects in cases of improper use of geothermal resources. In Seferihisar, current consumption types of geothermal energy are consisting of a geothermal power plant with an installed capacity of 12 Mwe and a few primitive spas. In the Tuzla geothermal field, the geothermal waters ascending to the surface cause the deposition of travertine, where sea water interference to the geothermal system is clearly observed and supported by XRD analysis of the sample collected from the Tuzla travertine. Seismic activities as earthquakes, affect the surface manifestations of the SGS. The temperature measurement values obtained from Tuzla and Doğanbey are higher than the values recorded prior to the installation of the geothermal power plant. The operation of the geothermal power plant has caused the nearby hot springs to dry up and has ceased travertine deposition in the Cumalı geothermal field. The annual mean values of NO₂ and SO₂ for the region are lower than the National threshold value and European Union Countries’ threshold value.

Keywords

Environment, Geothermal, Surface manifestations, Travertine

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Jeotermal enerji kullanımının çevresel etkileri: Seferihisar jeotermal sistemi örneği, İzmir, Türkiye

Abstract

Jeotermal kaynaklar, genellikle çevre dostu ve sürdürülebilir kaynaklar olarak kabul edilmektedir. Enerji üretimi, termal turizm ve sera ısıtması dahil olmak üzere farklı kullanım türleri bulunmaktadır. Kullanım türü mevcut jeotermal kaynağın sıcaklığı, kimyasal özellikleri ve debisine bağlıdır. Uzun vadeli uygulamalarda, çevresel etkilerini ve sonuçlarını değerlendirmek için araştırma ve izleme süreçlerine ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Ayrıca, jeotermal kaynakların yanlış kullanılması halinde kimyasal kirlilik, çöküntüler ve termal etkiler gibi olumsuz çevresel etkilerin ortaya çıkma olasılığı da bulunduğundan, kaynağın denetimli kullanımı hem jeotermal sistem hem de kaynağın bulunduğu bölge açısından önem taşımaktadır. Seferihisar jeotermal sistemindeki jeotermal enerjinin mevcut kullanım alanları 12 MWe kurulu güce sahip jeotermal enerji santrali ve birkaç ilkel kaplıcadan ibarettir. Denizsuyu girişiminin net olarak gözlendiği Tuzla jeotermal sahasında yüzeye çıkan jeotermal sular traverten oluşumuna neden olmakta ve Tuzla travertenlerinden alınan numunenin XRD analizi ile desteklenmektedir. Deprem gibi sismik aktiviteler SJS’nin yüzeysel belirtilerini etkilemektedir. Tuzla ve Doğanbey’de elde edilen sıcaklık ölçüm değerleri, jeotermal enerji santralinin kurulmasından önceki değerlerden daha yüksektir. Jeotermal elektrik santralinin faaliyete geçmesi, yakınındaki sıcak su çıkışlarının kurumasına ve Cumalı jeotermal sahasındaki traverten oluşumunun durmasına neden olmuştur. Bölgedeki NO₂ ve SO₂’nin yıllık ortalama değerleri Ulusal limit değerinden ve Avrupa Birliği Ülkeleri limit değerinden düşüktür.

Keywords

Çevre, Jeotermal, Yüzey belirtileri, Traverten

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