Energetic, exergetic, economic and environmental evaluations of geothermal district heating systems: An application

This study deals with an energetic and exergetic analysis as well as economic and environmental evaluations of Afyon geothermal district heating system (AGDHS) in Afyon, Turkey. In the analysis, actual system data are used to assess the district heating system performance, energy and exergy efficiencies, specific exergy index, exergetic improvement potential and exergy losses. And, for economic and environmental evaluations, actual data are obtained from the Technical Departments. The energy and exergy flow diagrams are clearly drawn to illustrate how much destructions/losses take place in addition to the inputs and outputs. For system performance analysis and improvement, both energy and exergy efficiencies of the overall AGDHS are determined to be 34.86% and 48.78%, respectively. The efficiency improvements in heat and power systems can help achieving energy security in an environmentally acceptable way by reducing the emissions that might otherwise occur. Present application has shown that in Turkey, geothermal energy is much cheaper than the other energy sources, like fossil fuels, and makes a significant contribution towards reducing the emissions of air pollution.

► Applying exergy, economic, environment and sustainability analyses to the GDHSs.
► Assessing energy and exergy efficiencies, economic and environmental impacts.
► Calculating the energy and exergy efficiencies of 34.86% and 48.78%, respectively.
► Proposing GDHSs as the most economic heating system.
► Providing a significant contribution towards reducing the emissions of air pollution.