Chile, situated in a subduction zone, aims to harness the potential of the abundant geothermal energy to produce 3,800MW and expedite the decarbonization of its energy supply. The government of Chile has already awarded concessions for new geothermal energy initiatives covering more than 43,000 hectares, showcasing the country's significant potential in this energy sector.
Geothermal is a type of renewable energy that uses heat from the subsurface of the earth, which is brought to above ground via pipes. This thermal energy is stored in rocks and fluids.
Over the years, the University of Chile, through the Center of Excellence in Geothermal Energy of the Andes (CEGA), has launched a series of projects to harness geothermal energy. This energy is used to provide stable and sustainable heat to healthcare facilities, private homes, and other infrastructure. These projects cover almost the entire length of Chile, from Putre to Aysen.
CEGA has currently implemented or is currently implementing geothermal projects in the following regions:
Máfil – After 24 months of development, CEGA has completed the installation of a geothermal heat pump in the Collaborative Innovation Center (CIC) of the commune of Máfil (Los Ríos Region) which maintains heat in planting beds, increasing fruit production in cold seasons and reduce heating costs.
Illahuapi – CEGA has installed an air-conditioning system with a geothermal heat pump in a rural post in Illahuapi (Los Ríos).
Putre – The Liceo Internado Granaderos (Putre), a boarding school at at 3600 meters above sea level, will have hot water and heating provided with geothermal energy.
Ñuble – The Regional Government of Ñuble has allocated 247 million pesos to execute geothermal projects in the region. One project was awarded per province (Itata, Diguillín and Punilla), and the projects will be technically analyzed prior to execution.
Ollagüe – CEGA is progressing in the installation of the first geothermal and air-conditioning system in the Antofagasta region, at the headquarters of the municipality of Ollagüe. The ongoing project is funded by FIC Antofagasta 2021.
Aysén – CEGA will carry out pre-feasibility studies for the installation of a green hydrogen plant powered by geothermal co-generation.
Araucania – This is a social project carried out by CEGA with Public Science funding. Social researcher Sofía Vargas and team will develop a vulcanological guide with a gender perspective with girls and women from the Araucanía region. The last camp was held on November 8th.
The local benefits of the geothermal projects are evident. Until last year, Illahuapi depended on an expensive and insecure gas supply, subject to the usual road closures during the winter and the consequent increases in the price of fuel. With the installation of the geothermal pump, the beneficiaries of the station have a constant and low-cost energy supply.
From a global perspective, geothermal development in Chile reinforces the country’s commitment to emissions reduction after the Paris Agreement. This situation is motivating authorities, research centers and society in general to address the problem of climate change in a creative and innovative way.
In 2024, CEGA will continue pushing geothermal projects forward while also executing social initiatives, expanding academic networks abroad, participating in Congresses, and promoting research and development.
"One of the challenges that 2024 presents is the exploration and development of district heating. This is a distribution system that uses a single heat source directed, simultaneously, to various recipients and that our country has developed marginally..." said Diego Morata, Director of CEGA.
Based on the discussions in this and the first post of this series, it's evident that Chile is dedicated to promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable projects, particularly in Geothermal Energy (GE). It's worth noting that both the discussed cases - CCUS and GE - would necessitate a thorough geological characterization of the proposed areas' subsurface. This characterization should encompass geophysics, petrophysics, stratigraphy, geomodelling, and more. The latest issue will be discussed in the last post of this series.
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