Project fact:

• Project Title: Training at the Geothermal Training Programme of the United Nations University in Iceland (UNU-GTP).
• Project objective: Increased Awareness of and Education in Renewable Energy Solutions.
• Implementing Organization: Ministry of National Development.
• Initial Project Cost: 190.000 €.
• Target group(s): Associations and Representatives of Associations involved in Higher Education, including Relevant Student, University, and Teacher / Trainer Associations.

 
A few words for the philosophy of the project:

At its birth about 4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was a huge heat reservoir.  That heat was gradually lost in space and the surface cooled to form an insulating crust that reduced the rate of heat loss, but did not stop it. Heat is still flowing out at an estimated average rate of 56-67 mW/m2, partly due to initial storage, but also to a significant extent because of replenishment through the decomposition of radioactive isotopes. In some areas, heat loss is significantly greater than the average flux due to to the dynamic forces operating on Earth.  This is particularly evident at tectonic plate boundaries and in the hot spots where the rise of the mantles from the inner earth transfers the heat to the surface.  Areas like these are associated with the active volcanic space, where magma chambers lurk at relatively shallow depths below the surface as particularly powerful sources of heat.  However, in order to harness the thermal energy, a means is needed to transfer heat to the surface where it can be used to generate electricity or for direct use.

Geothermal systems are usually divided into high-temperature and low-temperature systems.  High temperature systems are defined as systems where the temperature at 1 km depth exceeds 200°C and low-temperature systems as those where the temperature is lower than 150°C in the uppermost kilometre.

The most common way of harnessing geothermal energy is the hydrothermal tank with a borehole to transport the liquid to the surface. With current drilling technology water with temperatures of up to 360°C can be retrieved from the upper 2-3 km of the earth´s crust.

High temperature geothermal fluid may be carried as a vapor, or more often as a two phase mixture of water and steam.  A common way of utilization is to separate the two phases and use the steam to move the turbines for electrical generation.  In combined heat and power plants, the waste heat from this process is used for direct heating applications, thus allowing for more efficient use of the energy.  Electricity can also be generated from geothermal fluids of medium temperatures by using the heat to evaporate a working fluid, such as isopentane or an ammonia-water mixture that has different thermal properties than water.  This fluid runs in a closed loop within the power plant and is used to drive a turbine.  Low temperature fluids are commonly used for direct heat applications such as space heating, aquaculture, horticulture, industrial balneology and swimming pools, industry and snow melting.

In many cases, the geothermal waste is recycled back to the tank from which it was extracted to increase the rate of recharging and to avoid any negative impacts of discharge on the surface.

Another great potential in geothermal is Hot Dry Rock or Enhanced Geothermal Systems, where energy is stored in dry non-porous rock.  Exploitation of this energy is more challenging than the more conventional hydrothermal exploitation, but research into such systems is in progress.  If these resources can be harnessed economically, they have the potential to vastly increase the use of geothermal energy globally and to make it accessible to people that at present have to deal with other energy sources that are significantly less friendly to the environment.

The UNU-GTP was created in the shadow of the oil crisis, when nations were looking for new and renewable energy sources in order to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons, particularly oil, at rapidly rising prices. The current situation is somewhat similar in the sense that the international community is looking for renewable energy sources as an alternative for the hydrocarbons in order to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.

The development of geothermal resources requires a group of highly skilled specialists from various disciplines of science and engineering. Because of its diversity, geothermal energy has not been taught as a common subject at universities. The training of geothermal experts was mainly carried out in the work of companies and institutions. International geothermal schools have contributed significantly to the transfer of geothermal technology, especially to the benefit of developing countries.

The first official act on the establishment a UNU geothermal institute in Iceland took place in 1975 when the United Nations University (UNU) was established. Following a first proposal in 1976 and an international workshop in 1978, the Government of Iceland decided in October 1978 to ask Orkustofnun (the National Energy Authority (NEA)), to sign an Agreement on Association with the UNU and to establish the UNU Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP). The UNU-GTP has been hosted by the NEA ever since.

The first annual training session of the UNU-GTP started in May 1979 with two UNU Fellows from the Philippines. Since then, a group of scientists and engineers from energy agencies and research organizations as well as universities in developing countries and Central and Eastern European countries, come to Iceland every spring to spend six months in highly specialized studies of geological exploration, geological drilling, geophysical exploration, geophysical drilling, tank mechanics, chemistry of thermal fluids, environmental science, geothermal utilization, and drilling technology.

The hallmark of the UNU-GTP is to give geothermal university graduates intensive on-the-job training in their chosen areas of expertise. The trainees work side by side with geothermal professionals in Iceland. The aim is to help developing countries with significant geothermal potential to set up expert groups covering most aspects of geothermal exploration and development.

More recently, the UNU-GTP also offers a few successful candidates the opportunity to expand their studies in MSc or PhD degrees in geothermal sciences or engineering in collaboration with the University of Iceland.

In line with the EU common objectives, the national renewable energy target of 14,65% in final energy consumption by 2020 as well as the reduction of GHG emissions by 20% are set out in the Hungarian National Energy Strategy 2030, the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, the National Building Energy Efficiency Strategy and National Renewable Energy Action Plan 2010-2020. The aim of the project is to provide scholarships for 6 Hungarians who will be able to participate in the 6 month postgraduate Geothermal Training Program of the United Nations University in Reykjavík, Iceland in the spring semester between 19 April and 10 October 2016. The Project Partner is the National Energy Authority of Iceland, which takes the final decision on the fellows and is responsible for all activities and arrangements on education. The scholarship covers all the costs of education, as well as travel and accommodation. Beneficiaries are native Hungarians with relevant degrees in science, engineering or economics and if possible, they have professional experience in the field of geothermal energy, they come from relevant institutions, universities or companies, or are in process or have recently completed relevant university studies. The training program provides scientific knowledge and practical know-how related to the generation and execution of geothermal energy projects in their countries of origin. It focuses on three study lines, namely engineering, science, management and financing of geothermal energy. During the last 2 months of the training, the students perform a research project, which completes with a comprehensive report under the close supervision of a geothermal expert and ends with the preparation of a thesis or case study, which will be published in the annual book of the United Nations University under ISBN 9979.

 
Individual sub-projects:

The Project included:

• Six (6) scholarships for geotherm energy courses at the United Nations University in Iceland with all the costs covered.
• The training program provides scientific knowledge and practical know-how on the generation and execution of geothermal energy projects in their countries of origin.

 
Results:

The project achieves quantitatively:

• Six (6) Hungarians received their diploma in Geothermal Energy.
• I International Publication.

The Project has already succeeded:

• Exchange of know – how as Hungarian participants have been trained in geothermal applications in the United Nations University in Iceland and will apply new techniques in their country.
• Enhance of cooperation as both Icelandic and Norwegian research centers offer their expertise and resources in the field,
• Scientific publications in geothermal Energy.

Websites:

http://eeagrants.org/project-portal/project/HU03-0007
http://www.unugtp.is

Pic. 1: Hungarian Students in the Field	Pic. 2: Hungarian Student during Lessons	Pic. 3: Hungarian Student during Graduation	Pic. 4: Visit in Geothermal Site