Spain's first greenhouse geothermal plant will come into operation around October 2014, in Almeria. According to Carlos Díaz, agronomist specialised in civil engineering and partner of the company Cardial Recursos Alternativos, "It is a clean, easily-manageable energy, but above all, cheap source of energy for Almeria's greenhouse growers.
As explained by Díaz, the plants will produce thermal energy, and in a second stage, also electric power. One of the plants will produce both from the beginning because the area's thermal potential is greater and easier to exploit."
According to Díaz, the investment amounts to around 30 cents per square metre, while consumption stands at around 80 cents per metre. This means that a thermal kilowatt would cost around 4 cents. "Until last year, a thermal kilowatt cost around 12 cents with the cheapest system, which was natural gas."
The connection to the greenhouse is set up with the same system used with boilers; by means of hot water pipes, a small pump for the circulation of water and a control system. "It is a simple installation, and very easy to manage, as heat remains in the soil, whether it rains, snows or the wind blows; it is not a form of energy that relies on weather conditions."
Source: elalmeria
