| Abstract: |
Iran is located on the Alpine- Himalayan orogenic belt, which has high geothermal potential. The first geothermal research and investigation in Iran started by ENEL in 1975, research and survey indicated that Iran has substantial geothermal potential, specifically in the mount Sabalan and mount Sahand (Azarbaijan) , mount Damavand and Khoy- Maku regions. The Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (SUNA) was established to justify priorities of the fields. As a result, mount Sabalan region was proposed for electric and direct use, and then detailed geological, geochemical and resistivity survey using MT, TEM and DC Schlumberger methods have been carried out by Kingston Morrison Ltd. Hence this area has been recognized as a promising selection for geothermal exploration drilling, and then the location of seven exploration wells were proposed in the area. The Sabalan geothermal project is expected to produce 5 MW electricity from its pilot plant, but meantime there are support from government towards direct use of geothermal energy through different projects and various private investor and users. Around 70 hot and mineralized natural springs exist in Sabalan that are mostly located in Meshkinshahr and Sarein areas in northern and southern parts of mount Sabalan,respectively. Most of the development has been achieved in geothermal direct use applications where 26 spas in Meshkinshahr and Sarein are used for balneological purposes (56 MWt). with huge thermal tourism capacity potential in Meshkinshahr and Sarein, the target is to increase the number of domestic and international visitors to 5 million and 250,000 people by theyear 2025, respectively. |