Trends and prospects of geothermal energy as an alternative source of power: A comprehensive review

Mohammad Towhidul Islam; M N Nabi; M A Arefin; K Mostakim; Fazlur Rashid; N M S Hassan; S M A Rahman; S McIntosh; B J Mullins; S M Muyeen

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11836

Trends and prospects of geothermal energy as an alternative source of power: A comprehensive review

Heliyon. 2022 Nov 25;8(12):e11836. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11836. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Authors

Mohammad Towhidul Islam¹, M N Nabi², M A Arefin³, K Mostakim⁴, Fazlur Rashid^{4

5}, N M S Hassan⁶, S M A Rahman⁷, S McIntosh⁸, B J Mullins⁹, S M Muyeen¹⁰

Affiliations

¹ Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA.
² Central Queensland University, WA 6000, Australia.
³ Safe and Reliable Nuclear Applications-Nuclear Reactor Operation and Safety, LUT University, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland.
⁴ Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh.
⁵ Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, USA.
⁶ Central Queensland University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia.
⁷ BERF, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
⁸ School of Environment Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
⁹ Curtin University, WA, Australia.
¹⁰ Qatar University, Qatar.

Abstract

The world has capitalized on numerous renewable energy resources by developing its energy infrastructure mainly around solar, biomass, and hydro energy. However, geothermal energy has not yet been developed at a significant scale, despite reports from 62 wells showing evidence of geothermal gradients ranging from 20.8 °C/km to 48.7 °C/km in various areas of the world. Recent studies suggest that Bangladesh also has a huge potential for geothermal energy. This review extensively reports on exploiting the range of geothermal temperature in various direct and indirect energy application sectors including but not limited to the agriculture and industrial sector of Bangladesh. Additionally, the authors have analyzed and proposed adaptable measures to harness the abundance of geothermal energy. Furthermore, a comparative and possible solution has been discussed extensively for implementing a geothermal powerplant by analyzing techno-economic costs, policies, and systems of other countries in the world. Further, this review also shows the prospect of geothermal energy for Bangladesh as a case study.

Keywords: Bound of applicability; Direct and indirect use; Geothermal potential; Power generation; Techno-economic analysis.

Publication types

Review