SI-Geo-Electricity

With a pilot geothermal power plant on the existing Pg-8 gas well, we will introduce a completely new way of generating electricity using a geothermal gravity heat pipe.

See project website

Basic project information

Project duration: 2022 to 2024

Project value: EUR 900,210.98

Amount of co-financing: EUR 622,600.00

Funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021

Participants:

Petrol Geo, d.o.o.
Dravske elektrarne Maribor, d.o.o. (DEM)
HSE INVEST, d.o.o.
University of Maribor
Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS)

The project is co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism in the amount of EUR 622,600.00, the corresponding Slovenian participation in the amount of EUR 109,800.00 and the participation of Dravske elektrarne Maribor in the amount of EUR 167,637.28.

Project description

Use of geothermal energy in Slovenia

The main purpose of the SI-Geo-Electricity pilot project is to apply a completely new way of generating electricity using a geothermal gravity heat pipe. The patent is Slovenian, SI 23618 A.

Geothermal energy has many advantages over traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources. It is clean and safe for the environment, produces no harmful emissions and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, geothermal energy reserves are virtually inexhaustible.

Using an existing well in Čentiba

The pilot geothermal power plant in Čentiba in the municipality of Lendava will use the geothermal energy potential of an existing dry, abandoned and unproductive well of about 3,000 metres in length.

The special feature of the geothermal gravity heat pipe is the closed refrigerant circuit, where only one dry well is needed for operation. The Pg-8 geothermal power plant will consist of an underground part, i.e. a geothermal gravity heat pipe, and an above-ground part, i.e. a cooling system and an engine room.

Aim of the project

Construction of a pilot geothermal power plant

The aim of the project is the construction of a 50 kW pilot geothermal power plant using the Slovenian patented technology for the use of geothermal energy from abandoned wells with a geothermal gravity heat pipe.

After the successful test operation of the pilot geothermal power plant, several new geothermal power plants will be built on existing unproductive wells with sufficient thermal potential. At least 15 such wells have been identified in Slovenia. The pilot project will provide a basis for further optimisation of the principle itself, and a possible increase in electricity generation and a reduction in capital investment.

An important step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

With its 2025 strategy, Petrol has committed to a determined energy transition with which we wish to co-create a green future. Also when it comes to new methods of energy production that will decrease the burden that the provision of electricity places on the planet.

By using clean and renewable natural resources, the project will contribute to the sustainable strategic goals of Petrol, the national energy and climate goals and the European goal of climate neutrality (including the interim goal of decreasing emissions by at least 55% by 2030).