The geothermal potential of the Earth is extremely large. Slovenia has a geothermal potential for the construction of a geothermal power plant. In the final thesis, I researched the generation of electrical energy from the geothermal resources. In the theoretical part, I analysed the geological and geothermal requirements for the installation and operation of a geothermal power plant. Furthermore, I explored the physical basis of conversion of thermal energy into the work and then into electrical energy. I also reviewed latest technologies and trends in geothermal power plants. In this context, attention was oriented towards the most suitable technologies for installation in Slovenia. Since the final thesis is mostly focused on economic entitlement, the modern geothermal power plant construction and operation economic characteristics are studied specifically. For analytical needs and designing a reference model, in the applicative part of the thesis and based on the SAM software model, I first performed an economic analysis for operating geothermal power plants in the region. Based on the findings, I performed an economic analysis of Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of potential geothermal power plants in Slovenia. Based on the findings from a comparative analysis of two-different geothermal power plants model, I developed a few scenarios for simulations in SAM model. In the end, I developed the best options for potential power plants in Slovenia. It can be concluded with a very high-level of probability that the construction of a geothermal power plant would be economically justified and attractive for investors if appropriate geothermal resources in Slovenia would be explored. However, future developments will be primarily oriented on small geothermal power plants.
|
