Towards a de-carbonized energy system in north-eastern Morocco: Prospective geothermal resource

Abstract

a b s t r a c tGeothermal data has been indicating promising potentialities in the north-eastern Morocco. This paper presents new temperature data, recently recorded in water boreholes located in the Berkane and Oujda areas. Generally, the observed temperature gradients are rather high. One hole near Berkane, revealed an average geothermal gradient of more than 110• C/km at depths greater than 300 m. This result confirms the geothermal gradient estimated in a mining borehole located about 30 km west of the Berkane borehole, in which water temperature of 96• C is reached at a depth of about 700 m. Such a high geothermal gradient, exceeding by far the ones already determined for northeastern Morocco, could act as a stimulus to programs aimed at the geothermal exploitation of high temperature aquifers.

Renewable Energy Potential and Available Capacity for Wind and Solar Power in Morocco Towards 2030

“…Geothermal energy Geothermal is energy available as energy included in or delivered from the earth's crust [26]. In Morocco, there are several important areas where the geothermal energy could be more used for greenhouses, aquacultures, heat pumps, etc.…”

Structural and hydrogeological features of a Lias carbonate aquifer in the Triffa Plain, NE Morocco

“…Also interesting is the relatively high temperature of the groundwater in the Lias aquifer; water temperatures measured in springs vary from 28 to 37°C, these values are above what would be expected for wells that are not so distant from the recharge area. Studies done by the authors and presented in Rimi et al (2012) indicate that geothermal gradients are rather high in some boreholes; in particular, borehole 1624/7 (Berkane) has an average geothermal gradient higher than 110°C/km at depths greater than 300 m, and borehole 1672/7 (Fezouane 2), has a geothermal gradient was found to be 49°C/km. Unsurprisingly the area is known for its hydrothermal potential, especially in the Fezouane block.…”

“…Unsurprisingly the area is known for its hydrothermal potential, especially in the Fezouane block. Details regarding the potential hydrothermal and geothermal applications of groundwater from the Lias aquifer are discussed in Rimi et al (2012).…”

District Heating Challenges for the UK

“…Geothermal heat comes primarily from radioactive decay in the ground and heat transfer from the hot inner core, either to rock or underground water [70,72]. The core is estimated at 3000-5000 • C at about 6000 km depth, however extraction usually occurs at less than a hundred meters and far below 50 • C [75,76]. The arrangement of geothermal heat abstraction can be open loop but is most commonly a double closed loop system, where the heat pump refrigerant and the ground do not come into direct contact.…”