Municipality in Romania plans extension of geothermal district heating system

Oradea - Romania (Source: Flickr - CC - Photo by: Macchi)

Alexander Richter 5 Apr 2018

The municipality of Oradea in Romania is planning to get more involved in a geothermal district heating system and its extension in the city. The planned extension has an investment volume of around EUR 19 million, with EUR 4 million to come from the city.

A geothermal district heating project is going through the decision channels in Romania, as reported by local news. The investment of EUR 19 million ($23 million) for the Nufarul geothermal district heating project is to be discussed in a local council meeting next week and will then be sent for evaluation for financing.

If all goes according to plan, drilling and construction on a new district heating network could start this fall, according to Mayor Ilie Bolojan in Oradea, Romania. The project funded by funds from Norway, likely through EEA Grants, will be reinjecting used water.

The Nurafel geothermal Project refers to the area known as Nuf?rul 1, between the streets of Constantin Noica, Nuf?rului and Bumbacului – Morii, that will provide heat to more than 13,000 people. “The project contains four wells, two extraction and two reinjection. The project plans to drill to a depth of 2,900 m.

The project also envisages the construction of a new district heating network, the pipes being laid over a length of more than 15 km. “The 7 thermal points are dismantled, they will be demolished, the land will be equipped with green spaces and parking spaces. At the request of the inhabitants, they can become recreational spaces, “the deputy says.

Instead of the thermal points, one thermal module will be installed in each of the block stairs in the project perimeter, 276 in total. “Recycling will be solved in the way, every minute, in a few seconds, people can have hot tap water,” M?lan anticipates.

The new network will remain connected to the municipal district heating network, as a fail-safe solution or extreme cold when geothermal water heating fails to meet acceptable parameters.

Malan says that the purpose of the project is to increase the use of geothermal water for the production of thermal energy by creating new production capacity. The goal would be to reduce production costs, network losses, PTs and transport and distribution networks.

The investment volume of the project is EUR 19 million ($23 million), of which the city will cover EUR 4 million ($4.9 million). Next week, in an extraordinary meeting of the Local Council there will be a vote on technical and economic indicators of the project will be voted on and then sent to the donor. Immediately afterwards, the tender will be launched and, after approval of the funding, the execution will be completed. The deadline is 24 months.

There is an economic angle in it for the city, as private player Transgex is the holder of the exploitation license for the geothermal water resource in Oradea.

The municipality wants to “increase the city’s role in this sector”. “… for years the local authorities have been spectators of what has happened and proactive operators, more or less investment-capable, have operated these systems. We are in the process of obtaining the exploration and exploitation license for geothermal water and hope to secure this this month.”he says.

The municipality aims to “take over the geothermal water wells in Oradea” from Transgex, “to continue the investment by constructing new wells and reinjection for the perimeter of the concession that Oradea has.”

The mayor sees the possibility of two approaches: “a (public-private) partnership with Transgex or, if we do not reach a convenient solution with this company, licensing Termoficare SA to operate the geothermal system.”

Source: Bihon