In August 1996 the Polish Committee for Scientific Research and the Mszczonów Municipality started to investigate the possibilities for developing a geothermal plant by reconstructing an existing old closed well in Mszsczonów. A 4.1 km deep well, drilled in the 1970s, was chosen for exploitation purposes. The geothermal aquifer is located in a Lower Cretaceous sandstone layer, which contains high quality drinking water (the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS) is less than 1 g/l). The geothermal plant uses 40°C water, discharged from a single well, for both heating purposes and drinking water production. This was a very important experience, considering that there are thousands of similar abandoned wells in Poland, and some of them may have high potential for geothermal energy utilization.

The milestones of the project were as follows:

• Reconstruction of Mszczonów IG-1 well, providing technical conditions which ensure long-term operation;
• Accessing the geothermal horizon; activation of water production and stabilization of chemical parameters of the produced water;
• Creation of a modern thermal energy source based on an absorption heat pump (using 40°C thermal water as a low heat source);
• Optimal two-way usage of geothermal water for heating and for drinking purposes.

TECHNOLOGY

The plant, having a total capacity of 10.2 MW_th, operates with an absorption heat pump (2.7 MW total installed power), supplemented by a high-temperature gas boiler of total power of 1.8 MW. This system is working in conjunction with two low-temperature gas boilers (4.6 MW total installed power) and a 0.6 MW_th cooler representing state-of-the-art heating technology. The thermal energy produced by the district heating company in Mszczonów is 37 000 GJ per year, including 40% geothermal and 60% gas. In the heating season, approx. 30-35% of total heat sales come from geothermal water (27 TJ in 2003). When cooled down in the heat pump, the geothermal water is suitable for drinking (TDS 0.5 g/l), and it is supplied to the waterworks.

Geotermia Mazowiecka is the second installation in Europe utilizing geothermal water for heat production and, after being cooled down, also for communal purposes.

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ECONOMIC ASPECTS

The plant replaced three traditional, low-efficiency heating plants based on coal dust (approx. 4 500 tons/year). Assuming identical work conditions and overheads, the costs of producing 1 GJ of heat in the gas boiler plant and in the coal-based plant are similar (gas being slightly more expensive) while in the case of the Mszczonów geothermal plant the cost of producing 1 GJ is 25% lower.

The project has been supported by the Polish EcoFund and bank loans.

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SOCIAL EFFECTS

The most positive effect is the increased attraction of the city. Several conferences have been organised in this topic, and „Geotermia Mazowiecka” S. A. became an organic part of Mszczonów city, disseminating the idea of environmental protection.

Information about the project is disseminated in several ways:

• Conferences in this topic
• Guided tours for inland and foreign visitors, school classes etc
• Internet: www.geotermia.com.pl
• Brochures

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ENVIROMENTAL EFFECTS

The change of heat source from coal to gas and geothermal has had significant environmental effects. The CO₂ emission has been reduced by 74.8%, CO by 98%, SO₂ by 100% and NOx by 82.9%, soot and dust by 100%.

Also the urban environment of Mszczonów has been improved by the geothermal project. Nice green areas have been created in the town with water posts with drinkable geothermal water in the centre.

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DIFFICULTIES, PROBLEMS

As the geothermal plant in Mszczonów is based on a more than 20 years old well reconstructed and adapted for the requirements of long-term warm water production, it is necessary to systematically monitor the well casing and other facilities. The sanding-up of the geothermal horizon - first observed upon completion of the reservoir and its testing - needs further systematic monitoring and measurement, and the rock particles carried out by the water from the aquifer to the surface are examined from a mineralogical and petrographical point of view. The chemical composition of the geothermal water, especially the concentration of chlorine ions, also has to be analysed regularly, because an increased concentration of chlorine may affect the water's suitability for drinking purposes.

Due to limited funding potential and unfavourable development in relative energy prices, Geothermia Mazowiecka S. A. currently faces some economic difficulties which have prevented the extension of the consumer base beyond the original 60%. The staff of 30 persons, formerly employed by the district heating company, has been reduced to only 3 persons working in the geothermal plant. Since the area is severely affected by unemployment, this has naturally caused some social dissatisfaction locally.

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FOLLOW UP

Recently, the Municipality of Mszczonów has initiated activities aimed at the construction of swimming and recreational facilities based on geothermal water.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Geotermia Mazowiecka S. A.
96-320 Mszczonów
ul. Spóldzielcza 9a

Tel: 0 46 856 19 56 - 0 46 855 27 93
Fax: 0 46 855 27 93
E-mail: geotermia@geotermia.com.pl

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