Northern Thailand Geothermal Resources and Development: A Review and 2012 Update

  • Fongsaward Suvagondha Singharajwarapan
  • , Spencer H. Wood
  • , Natthaporn Prommakorn
  • , Lara B. Owens

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

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Abstract

Northern Thailand has 16 hot spring systems with surface temperatures near or greater than 80°C with potential for binary plant power generation. Presently only Fang system generates power from wells flowing a total of 8.3 1/s of 116°C water to a 300 kW single module Ormat binary plant. Current production is 150-250 KW, which potentially can be increased by constructing new wells and increasing flow by pumping. Of the other 15 systems, 4 are in national parks and not considered for development. Several of the hot springs systems have silica geothermometry >130°C suggesting significant undeveloped resources exist in northern Thailand. Certainly the San Kamphaeng hot springs have the greatest known potential (estimated ~5MW) but like most of the systems it is associated with high-angle faulting and drilling has yet to find permeable zones yielding high flows (>11 l/s). The current project of the Thailand Department of Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) will survey these prospects with the intention of installing a small plant of 2-10 MW.
Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationGRC Transactions
Place of PublicationDavis, California
PublisherGeothermal Resources Council
Pages787-791
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)0934412979
StatePublished - 2012
EventGeothermal Resources Council 2012 Annual Meeting - Reno, United States
Duration: 30 Sep 20123 Oct 2012

Publication series

NameGeothermal Resources Council Annual Meetings
Volume36
ISSN (Print)0193-5933

Conference

ConferenceGeothermal Resources Council 2012 Annual Meeting
Abbreviated titleGRC 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityReno
Period30/09/123/10/12

Keywords

  • Thailand
  • flow
  • geochemistry
  • geothermometry
  • hot springs
  • low temperature
  • power generation
  • silica deposits

EGS Disciplines

  • Earth Sciences
  • Geophysics and Seismology

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