Fondap Financing Fund Research Centers in Priority Areas

Geothermal is a clean and renewable energy source with which you can generate electricity, plus, develop a range of domestic and industrial processes that require heat. This is known as direct uses of geothermal energy and can generate when temperatures are lower subsoil 150 º C.

At this temperature range is called low temperature geothermal. Now 78 countries in the world use low-temperature geothermal energy for direct use in HVAC, heating, greenhouses, primarily aquaculture and agriculture - in that order. Recreational uses are at the bottom of the list in the world (pools and hot springs), and are at the top of the list in Chile, which is the country with the largest geothermal potential in South America. The annual energy savings of these 78 countries is equivalent to 38 million tons of oil (considering only direct uses).

Currently the Center of Excellence Fondap Geothermal CONICYT Los Andes (BLIND) together with the Ministry of Energy are developing a project to evaluate the heat that is in the basement of Santiago and Talca, with the aim of, a 3 year term, deliver a subterranean heat map of these cities which will assess what is direct uses of geothermal energy can give in these urban centers. The CEGA, geothermal research is also developing along our entire Andes.

In the following video, developed by the CEGA, explains how low temperature geothermal and the impact it would use for our country.

See video CEGA and direct uses of geothermal energy

Website CEGA