Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES OF THE CHECHEN REPUBLIC: CURRENT STATE AND OPPORTUNITIES

Malyshev Yu. N., Taymaskhanov Kh. E., Zaurbekov Sh.Sh. and Mintsaev M. Sh.

Abstract

This article presents the opportunities of development of geothermal energy in the North Caucasus within the context of global trends. We have revealed favourable conditions for development of this sector in the Chechen Republic as it is the region taking the third position in the rank of Russian geothermal resources. We provide basic characteristic of the most promising deposit of geothermal waters – the Khankala deposit – of the Chechen Republic (ChR). We performed brief overview of the first in Russia Khankala geothermal circulatory system (1981) and analysed its major disadvantages on the basis of performance results. The article also describes competitive edges of an innovative project upon construction of a geothermal power station with a circulatory system at the Khankala deposit of Ch R. This project is implemented by the professionals of the Grozny State Oil Technical University after Academician M.D. Millionshchikov with scientific support of the Vernadsky State Geological Museum. In the conclusion we note that possible positive results of the project shall increase the interest of business community to the use of Earth heat and create conditions for establishment of a new sector in Russia – the sector of geothermal energy.