PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Lipik has been preparing the ground for more intensive use of its geothermal sources for some time. Less than two years ago, the official process of researching these potentials began in cooperation with partners from Iceland. Therefore, on April 12, the final conference of the project “Development of technical documentation for the Lipik investigation area” was held in the “Quella” conference hall. This project, which was financed from the EEA financial mechanism within the implementation of the “Energy and Climate Change” Program, is worth almost 250,000 euros.

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On this occasion, representatives of the Service for the Implementation of Financial Mechanisms in the Field of Energy and Climate Change and Strategic Projects and Initiatives at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, Ines Plašć and Ana-Marija Reider Petric, gathered in Lipik. There were also partners from Iceland, Ólafur Jón Arnbjörnsson and Albert Albertsson.

The project „Preparation of technical documentation for the „Lipik“ research area“  is one of the projects of the City of Lipik whose goal was to investigate the possibility of using local geothermal potential for energy purposes for business with reduced costs for the use of energy sources, which will directly contribute to economic and social development.

Therefore, the President of the City Council, Slobodan Katunar, spoke about the vision of the City of Lipik as a green and sustainable city at this event. He expressed special thanks to the partners from Iceland, recalling how Lipik representatives visited Iceland two years ago as part of a study trip. The experience and knowledge gained during that visit served as a key incentive for further research into geothermal potential, noted the president of the Lipik City Council.

“We already use geothermal sources in the Lipik Spa, as well as in our mineral water factory. However, through these researches we want to further strengthen this potential in order to direct it towards the development of the economy and tourism and, ultimately, towards the prosperity of the city,” said Katunar.

As mentioned, there are already sources of geothermal water in the town of Lipik, which is highly valued and primarily used for therapeutic purposes, treatment, and bathing, but also as a source of drinking water. Centuries-old tradition in treatment is primarily based on the healing properties of water that has a constant source temperature of 62 °C and possesses exceptional balneological characteristics due to its chemical composition. The mineral and thermal water pumping stations located within the tourist and spa zone in the Lipik park are primarily used for the needs of the Health and Spa Complex Lipik, as well as for the needs of the Studenac factory in Lipik.

The company Izvori Lipika is one of the partners in this project, and was responsible for the implementation of key activities, including the creation of technical documentation and the research of previously unused but existing sources. Its director, Zvonko Novokmet, explained what these activities are and what significance they have for the development of Lipik.

“Through this project, we created the most expensive part of the technical documentation, which is the preparation of the Elaboration on Reserves, which is a prerequisite for obtaining a permit for exploitation and the use of geothermal sources for energy purposes. Also, through the project, the necessary documents were obtained, the preparation of which also required considerable financial resources. This implies an Analysis of the existing well that was formed before the wartime events in the Lipik area. Prior to preparing the Reserves Report, an examination of the well was conducted. A hydrodynamic measurement was carried out, revealing a significantly larger capacity than initially determined, with an increase of up to 60% in potential. Originally, the flow rate of the well was predicted to be 13 liters per second, but now it has been determined that the capacity is 21 liters per second. The determined water temperature is around 70 degrees °C, so the actual capacity of the well is much higher than we expected and it will be able to be used not only for heating public spaces, but it will also be able to be used significantly for the economy,” said Novokmet.

Through the project, we had the opportunity to learn from the best, which resulted in the realization of a partnership and the transfer of knowledge and examples of good practice in the use of geothermal energy. One of the key partners in the project is the company GeoCamp Iceland, founded in 2009 with the aim of improving STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in Iceland, especially in the field of natural sciences and the use of renewable energy sources .

Ólafur Jón Arnbjörnsson, founder of GeoCamp Iceland, expressed his satisfaction with the mutual cooperation and knowledge gained, pointing out that people rely more on fossil fuels than on geothermal energy, which is understandable considering climate change, where the main focus is on energy. “Although we are leaders in the use of geothermal energy in Iceland, we see that other applications of geothermal water are also important in the future,” he pointed out.

“GeoCamp Iceland is an educational project dedicated to increasing knowledge and understanding of natural sciences through practical and active learning. We develop educational materials for students and teachers, guides and curricula, and we organize and receive international study groups of high school students and students, as well as groups of teachers from with a STEM focus,” added Arnbjörnsson.

The project of preparation technical documentation for the Lipik research area is not the only project in Požega-Slavonia County that deals with geothermal energy. Our county also implemented the project “Geothermal sources of the Požega-Slavonia County” whose goal is to increase the utilization of the geothermal potential not only of the county itself but also of the local self-government units located on its territory. Namely, as part of the aforementioned project, the construction of a heat pipe in Lipik is foreseen, which opens up new potential. Željko Feigl, the expert associate for infrastructure projects of the PSŽ Regional Development Coordinator, spoke more about all of this.

Geothermal energy is becoming more and more important at a time of rapid growth in the prices of all energy sources around the world, the consequences of which are felt in Croatia as well. The EU Green Plan recognizes geothermal energy as one of the renewable sources, and Croatia is a country with extremely rich geothermal sources of high temperatures. According to current estimates, Croatia’s potential is about 500 megawatts from known geothermal deposits, but the actual potential is much higher. Croatia has above-average geothermal water temperatures, which are about 60% higher than the European average, and among them are numerous deposits with temperatures above 150 °C, suitable for energy production. Large initial investments in geothermal projects are often the biggest challenge for investors. The reluctance of banks to finance research with an uncertain outcome can be overcome by using funds from financial mechanisms.

Veronika Prhal, head of the Unified Administrative Department of the City of Lipik, presented the activities and results of the project, thanking the partners and consultants.

“The goal was to investigate the geothermal potential of Lipik, preparation of technical documentation, and transfer knowledge from Iceland. After obtaining the permits and creating the project, the hydrodynamic measurements of the well were carried out. The company VIS Viva GSM d.o.o. started with this investigation,” said the leader Prhal and repeated that it was determined that there is a stable water flow of 20 to 21 liters per second, with a water temperature of 68.5 to 69.5°C and a constant water level at a depth of 110 to 112 meters.

This enables planning of use for energy purposes, such as heating existing public facilities in Lipik, and potential use in economic development, such as greenhouses or greenhouses, and in tourism.