The REFLECT Geothermal Stakeholder Workshop was organised in the city of İzmir on 21 June 2022. It gathered many local operators, researchers, students, as well as the REFLECT project partners who had participated in a consortium meeting just the day before.
Prof Dr Yusuf Baran, Rector of the İzmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH), welcomed the workshop participants. Katrin Kieling, REFLECT Project Manager, chaired the event and acknowledged IZTECH for hosting this important event in the Turkish geothermal hub of İzmir. Following the opening talks, a series of technical presentations highlighted the main outcomes and achievements of the REFLECT project.
The workshop was divided into 3 different sessions which focused on specific project topics. The first one presented the geochemical challenges of high-temperature geothermal fluids. Some of the speakers highlighted the increase in energy consumption worldwide, nowadays more than 1.5 times the world’s resources. It was also mentioned the important role of all disciplines which contribute to the energy transition and the knowledge transfer through research projects.
The second session focused on the investigations and challenges concerning saline and low-temperature geothermal fluids. The researchers of the REFLECT project presented results concerning the microbial life in geothermal fluids, the effects of degassing, and the fluid chemistry and challenges in geothermal operations.
After the lunch break, the third session focused on the tools for predicting challenges and improving the efficiency of geothermal plant operations. During this session, the REFLECT European Fluid Atlas was presented.
Cannur Bozkurt, Director of the Enerchange branch in Turkey, presented the main figures of the industry in the Anatolian region.
Besides all the presentations, a poster session was organised. Stakeholders could learn more about the REFLECT project outcomes and discuss about it with the REFLECT researchers and partners.
On 22 June 2022, a field trip took place. Thanks to this activity, REFLECT partners and some stakeholders could learn more about the local infrastructures for geothermal energy.
They visited the Balcova-Narlidere geothermal field, where geothermal energy is being used since 1966 reducing to the minimum the costs of industries and residents in the area. The 37 wells drilled in this area are well integrated into the city, contributing to the energy transition and working in harmony with the surroundings. However, it is still paramount to engage with the general public because there are some controversial opinions about geothermal and other new energy sources. In addition, participants could learn more about the Geo4food project which combines low-enthalpy geothermal energy and water for agricultural production.
A bit further from Izmir, the technicians of the Seferihisar geothermal plant offered a tour through the facility to show how they operate. This facility is the 50th largest in Turkey and provides energy to almost 15,000 people to cover their electricity needs for housing, industry, metro, etc.
Last but not least, stakeholders and project partners visited the historical site of Ephesus, it was the cherry on the cake for a fruitful and informative day.
For partners, it was interesting to see how Turkey is implementing geothermal energy in their day-to-day life, applying it for heat and cooling, production of electrical energy as well as other agricultural usages. Turkey is a good example for other countries which aim at further developing geothermal.
