Short Course on Low- to Medium-Temperature Geothermal Resources and Direct Utilization at Argeo-C9 in Djibouti
Short Course 1 on Low- to Medium-Temperature Geothermal Resources and Direct Utilization was held at the Kempinski Palace in Djibouti, in the two days leading up to the 9th African Rift Geothermal Conference, November 1-2. It was one of four pre-conference short courses and was organized by GRÓ GTP at the request of the ARGeo-C9 Organizing Committee with financial support from Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Geothermal resources of some kind can be found in most African countries even though the most powerful ones are associated with the East Africa Rift. Many East African countries are looking towards their indigenous geothermal resources for supplying electricity and heat. Although the focus is often on power production from fluids derived from high-temperature geothermal systems, the region also stouts an abundance of low- to medium-temperature systems, which can be harnessed for direct use applications that will contribute to the socio-economic development of the continent.
The short course was conceived of and implemented in recognition of the potential of these resources, with the goal of introducing participants to their nature, distribution, methods of exploration, assessment, and possibilities for direct utilization. It consisted of lectures and short exercises.
Lecturing was carried out by Sveinborg H. Gunnarsdóttir (ÍSOR – Iceland GeoSurvey), Dr. Isaac Kanda (Geothermal Development Company), Dr. María S. Gudjónsdóttir (Reykjavík University), Eng. Martha Mburu (Geothermal Development Company), and Margeir Gissurarson (Matís). The course was attended by 19 participants from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, and South Sudan.
