Listen to this article (CROATIAN):

The conference was organized by students of the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum within the Student Branch of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Zagreb, more precisely the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum hosted an important event in the field of renewable energy sources – a conference on geothermal energy, which brought together experts, scientists and industry representatives from the country and the region, and was also visited by representatives of Turkish companies dealing with geothermal energy in Croatia, as well as the TNO Institute from the Netherlands, which deal with testing and innovation in technology, and since online monitoring was also possible, the conference was followed in Hungary as well. Held from March 7 to 9, the conference represented a platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences and discussions about the latest achievements and future directions of geothermal energy development, as well as an overview of the current situation in Croatia and a window into the European view of geothermal energy.

The conference attracted about a hundred participants from various sectors, including experts from the geothermal industry such as Fika Eco, GeoDa Consulting, the academic community, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Hydrocarbons Agency and representatives of the private sector.

What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy obtained from the interior of the Earth. The heat generated from the decay process of radioactive materials and geothermal sources within the Earth’s crust is used. This energy can be used to produce electricity, heat homes and industrial plants, and for other energy needs.

During the two days of the conference, the best experts in the field of geothermal energy presented to the participants what geothermal energy is, what are its advantages and problems, and how Croatia is doing with the use of geothermal energy, which was given the best insight by Mrs. Jadranka Leško, head of the sector for oil mining and geothermal water for energy purposes. Namely, the Republic of Croatia has a 60% increased geothermal potential compared to the European average and strictly defined laws on the use of potential.

In addition to the technological aspects, the conference also explored issues of sustainability and environmental impacts of geothermal energy, encouraging discussion on best practices and regulatory frameworks. One of the best examples of good practice is the City of Bjelovar, which embarked on a project worth 4.4 million euros, where geothermal water with a temperature of 83 degrees in the reservoir and a flow rate of 30 liters per second was found at a depth of about 1,500 meters, which will be more than enough. for the planned industrial zone next to Bjelovar.

However, Bjelovar is not the only one that uses geothermal energy, in the capital of the country it has been used since 1987. Namely, the Mladost geothermal field in Zagreb was first discovered in 1964, and already in 1987 the Mladost pool was connected to heating from a well. Today, the Faculty of Chinese Studies is heated with hot water. Zagreb uses only 10% of its potential, however, the new concessionaire, Mr. Željko Jurilj, is working at full steam.

The participants of the conference had the opportunity to visit the Zagreb geothermal field at Mladost on the second day of the conference, where they received bottles filled with geothermal water as souvenirs, and on the third day of the conference, an excursion was organized to Veliko Korenovo, where they arrived exactly at the time of testing and starting the water extraction pump at the surface.

The organizers expressed their satisfaction with the large turnout and the quality of the discussions, stressing that such events are crucial for the further development of sustainable energy solutions. The participants left with numerous new knowledge and contacts, and Zagreb was confirmed as a relevant meeting point for experts in the field of geothermal energy. Given the success of this conference, it is expected that similar events will become a regular forum for promoting the exchange of ideas and cooperation for the global improvement of the geothermal industry, especially with the aim of connecting existing experts and businessmen with students in order to continue to “produce” highly educated experts who are future leaders energy transitions, such as the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum has provided so far.

At the very closing of the conference, the main organizers Ivana Mladinović and Lana Šteko invited all present to continue working together to create a sustainable future through geothermal energy as a force for the future and once again thanked the sponsors: the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Hydrocarbons Agency, the Golden sponsors: INA Grupa, Duplico d.o.o., silver sponsors, GeoDa Consulting, Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar, Fika Eco, as well as the Croatian Geological Society, Bjelovar Terme, Željko Jurilja from the Zgareb geothermal field, the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum for their support in the organization, and to all gateways in the allotted time.

Transferred from: https://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/u-zagrebu-odrzana-uspjesna-konferencija-o-geotermalnoj-energiji-1753181