Economic and Environmental Analysis of Different District Heating Systems Aided by Geothermal Energy

As a renewable energy source, geothermal energy can provide base-load power supply both for electricity and direct uses, such as space heating. Regarding this last use, in the present study, district heating systems aided by geothermal energy, the so-called geothermal district heating systems, are studied. Thus, three different options of a geothermal district heating system are evaluated and compared in terms of environmental and economic aspects with a traditional fossil installation. Calculations were carried out from a particular study case, a set of buildings located Province of Leon in the north of Spain. From real data of each of the assumptions considered, an exhaustive comparison among the different scenarios studied, was thoroughly made. Results revealed the most suitable option from an economic point of view but always considering the environmental impacts of each one. In this regard, the assumption of a district heating system totally supplied by geothermal energy clearly stands out from the rest of options. Thus, the manuscript main objective is to emphasise the advantages of these systems as they constitute the ideal solution from both the economic and environmental parameters analysed.