Renewable Energy Sources in a Post-Socialist Transitional Environment: The Influence of Social Geographic Factors on Potential Utilization of Very Shallow Geothermal Energy within Heating Systems in Small Serbian Town of Ub

Abstract

Energetic stability is a precondition for a regular functioning of society and economy. Actual climate change raised the awareness of population and policy makers about the importance of exploited energy sources. Renewable energy sources are revealed as the solution which should satisfy both needs—a need for energetic stability, as well as a need for producing ‘clean’ and ‘sustainable’ energy, and therefore reduce humans’ influence on the climate change. Very shallow geothermal energy offers wide range for utilization, among others for heating and cooling living spaces. This article shows potentials of low temperature heating system networks in a small Serbian town of Ub. In addition to technical possibilities, this article combines geographical and social, as well as political and economic circumstances in the town of Ub, which emerge as a result of a complex (post-socialist) transitional vortex.

Integrated Geothermal Energy Systems for Small-Scale Combined Heat and Power Production: Energy and Economic Investigation

“…During the last few years, the research community and the industry have been focusing increased attention on renewable sources, sustainability and global efficiency [4][5][6]. In this framework, geothermal energy represents an interesting resource and, due to its not intermittent availability, an attractive solution for lowering fossil-fuel dependence and their environmental impact [7][8][9]. Furthermore, geothermal sources are slightly dependent on the season, climate and local conditions, presenting the advantages of different viable technologies [10] with Appl.…”

Large-Scale Geothermal Collector Systems for 5th Generation District Heating and Cooling Networks

“…A graphic overview of very shallow, shallow, and deep geothermal sources is shown Figure 2 vSGPs are those acquired by depth less than 10 m [21]. This depth range relevant for very shallow geothermal systems can be divided further in three layers: 0-3 m, 3-6 m, and 6-10 m [22], which differ by physical soil properties. Thus, for vSGPs mainly soil parameters are decisive, whereas for vertical shallow geothermal systems largely the geologic rock strata is critical for their heat extraction potential.…”

“…These are horizontal ground heat exchangers, such as geothermal collectors in the classic single pipe installation or tube mats, but also special designs such as trench collectors, heat baskets, and comparable modular collector systems up to a maximum depth of 10 m. vSGPs are those acquired by depth less than 10 m [21]. This depth range relevant for very shallow geothermal systems can be divided further in three layers: 0-3 m, 3-6 m, and 6-10 m [22], which differ by physical soil properties. Thus, for vSGPs mainly soil parameters are decisive, whereas for vertical shallow geothermal systems largely the geologic rock strata is critical for their heat extraction potential.…”

Arguments for a Community Based Approach to the Geothermal Energy Development

“…The system of community owned energy project is practiced for most of the renewable energy resources [49,95,150,157]. The concepts is found particularly suitable for geothermal resources applied in heating, cooling and energy production [33,63,90,132]. IRENA [60] underlines the benefits of the community owned geothermal district heating.…”