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| One of several unsuccessful geothermal wells at the Gyalgar hot spring. Warm water with a temperature of 44.4°C is pouring out of the abandoned wellhead. The flow rate and the temperature of this and other exploration wells were not sufficient for geothermal energy production. |
The burning of coal for heating is a major cause of harmful air pollution and massive greenhouse gas emissions in Mongolia’s cities. This photo gallery provides authentic insights into the progress of introducing a scientific framework for geothermal exploration. Through capacity-building in exploration techniques the project builds upon existing studies to ensure future drilling success.
The Arkhangai province in central Mongolia is rich in geothermal resources that manifest themselves in numerous natural hot springs. Particularly the province’s district centre, Tsetserleg, could largely benefit from the installation of a combined, geothermal heat and power plant. However, previous attempts to drill wells for geothermal energy generation did not succeed.
With this project we introduce a scientific framework for geothermal exploration in Mongolia. It will help to locate geothermal resources in the subsurface and ensure that future wells are drilled successfully. It contributes to seeking solutions for alternatives to burning coal for heating and energy and indirectly addresses major causes of harmful air pollution and of massive greenhouse gas emissions in Mongolia’s cities.
The project is a collaboration between the Geothermal Energy and Geofluids group and the Earth and Planetary Magnetism Group of ETH Zurich, the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the National Renewable Energy Centre in Ulaanbaatar.
The photo gallery emerged from a geophysical survey conducted in May and June 2019 at the natural hot spring area near Tsetserleg, Arkhangai province, Mongolia.
