ÇAĞRILI KONUŞMALAR / KEYNOTES Invited Speeches ... - TPJD

Determination of Protection Areas in Geothermal Fields
Berrin Akan, Hayrullah Dağıstan
General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Research and Exploration
Department of Energy Resources, Ankara
As a general belief, the geothermal systems are regarded as endless natural reservoirs and
therefore, they are put into use without the knowledge of the hydrodynamic behavior of the
aquifer, an essential knowledge required for an efficient management that will sustain the
reservoir. The concept of sustainability has great importance in all energy resources including
geothermal energy. From this point of view, the sustainability of geothermal resources related
with potection of geothermal springs. In this case the protection areas are of vital importance so
as prevent contamination of geothermal reservoir and take measures to prevent possible negative
change of pressure and temperature conditions at reservoir. According to data from geology,
hydrogeology study and well tests results, the boundary of protection zone of geothermal area
should have determined to protect the geothermal reservoir. These boundaries should have
shown at geology map and public improvements map. In these boundaries the measures should
be taken and put into practice.
Keywords: Geothermal energy, protection areas, thermal waters
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