Geothermal power plant in Tura
Overview
Just 40 kilometers away from the vibrant city of Budapest lies the agricultural town of Tura, Hungary. While it is well-known for its captivating Schossberger castle, the city hosts a revolutionary addition – the Turawell geothermal power plant.
Unveiled in 2017, this plant taps into the Earth's unlimited energy, providing an uninterrupted stream of power. As the first of its kind in Hungary, the Turawell plant generates a remarkable output of 3 MW of electricity, alongside 7 MW of thermal energy. It is not just about generating power; this innovative facility also supplies the warmth needed to grow tomato crops within its greenhouses.
Gábor Molnár, Project Manager of the plant, emphasizes the significance of this facility for the local community. Beyond mere electricity production, the Turawell plant indeed promises a set of benefits encompassing an increase in tax income and the creation of new job opportunities in the area. Furthermore, by setting the stage for further investment in geothermal energy, the plant paves the way for a sustainable and prosperous future in the region.
Investments
The ambitious project demanded a total investment of €10.8 million, encompassing the initial stages of development and the precision process of drilling. The project, which is built on Icelandic technology, received financial backing from the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA). Following this, KS Orka acquired a majority stake of 51% from the Hungarian developers. The venture found also support from Erste Bank Hungary, which extended a non-recourse project financing facility covering up to 70% of the project's costs. With financial backing in place and a clear vision for the future, the stage was set for the project to unfold its transformative impact on the energy landscape.
In 2016, KS ORKA contracted Mannvit (now COWI) for comprehensive engineering services for the Turawell project. The facility operates as a combined heat and power (CHP) plant, harnessing geothermal fluid extracted from wells to generate both electricity and heat for nearby greenhouses and properties in an eco-friendly manner.
The plant was established at the heart of a former hydrocarbon block, where the landscape conceals a wealth of natural wonders. Stretching from depths of 1700 to 2200 meters, this geological site holds promise for the future of sustainable energy. Remarkably, the location falls within a depth range that exempts it from requiring a geothermal concession. The primary production well taps into this geological site, yielding an impressive output of 125°C hot water at a rate of 6000 litres per minute from a depth of 1500 meters. This substantial volume of water is then injected back into the reservoir under 8 bar pressure through two dedicated injection wells, sustaining the perpetual cycle of geothermal energy extraction and replenishment. After completing its cycle, the fluid is thus returned to the geothermal reservoir, ensuring a sustainable and eco-friendly process for both heating and electricity production. This innovative technology draws inspiration from Iceland, where similar methods address 90% of building heating needs and 99% of power generation relies on renewable sources.
The expansion
In November 2022, KS ORKA Renewable Energy Co. Ltd. (KS ORKA) entered into an agreement with Dunakanyar-Ipoly-Galga menti Területfejlesztési Zrt. (DIG) for further enhancing the electrical capacity of Tura power plant with more than 10 megawatts (MW).
Subsequent projects will aim to booster the capacity of Hungary's renewable energy market, reducing population’s dependence on fossil fuels and strengthening Hungarian energy sovereignty. To ensure the success of these projects, the two companies will collaborate closely with local scientific and professional partners.
Summary
Depth of drilling: 1500 m
Total length of wells: 4 km
Temperature of the water drawn: 125oC, 6000 l./min hot water
Units covered: 800 households
Total amount of investments: EUR 10,8 million
Public contribution: 70%, financed by a non-recourse project financing facility by Erste Bank Hungary