Utilization of Methane from Thermal Wells in Szeged

A project to utilize methane extracted from nine thermal wells along with water has been launched in Szeged as part of the Second Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Program, investor Geo Hőterm Ltd. informed MTI on Tuesday.

According to the announcement, the aim of the investment is to utilize the methane gas extracted from the thermal wells supplying district heating in Szeged for energy purposes by burning it in gas boilers.

During the project, gas separator equipment will be installed at all nine geothermal production wells of the Szeged district heating system, and the extracted, purified methane gas will be utilized in modern, process-controlled gas boilers equipped with burner heads.

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the project will provide additional thermal energy for the geothermal district heating system by using the heat from the combusted gas to increase the temperature of the heating water supplied.

Based on preliminary calculations, the project will replace approximately 1.8 million cubic meters of natural gas per year with 54,000 gigajoules (GJ) of renewable energy, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in Szeged's air by 27,534 tons of carbon dioxide per year. According to the announcement, the total eligible cost of the project is HUF 2 billion, of which the Swiss contribution is approximately HUF 776 million, national co-financing is HUF 137 million, and the remainder is own resources.