According to the geological and mineral maps of Vietnam, the Northern midland and mountainous region has a relatively complex geological background with two typical geological activities – young magma and fault activities which create sedimentary basins likely to contain geothermal solution.

 

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The Dien Bien - Lai Chau fault zone, for example, created a geothermal basin in Dien Bien. But how to find the basins large enough for industrial electricity production or for human activities?

This is a difficult question, because according to Dr Vu Van Tich from the Hanoi National University, “there are many geothermal manifestations”, but “there is only general survey’' about the potential which “estimates that there are about 400 sources”.

Tich and his co-workers conducted research to have overall assessment of the potential of geothermal basins in the northwest, a part of the program on science and technology development for the sustainable development of the Northwest region.

The Northern midland and mountainous region has a relatively complex geological background with two typical geological activities – young magma and fault activities which create sedimentary basins likely to contain geothermal solution.

Also according to Tich, the industry and trade industry “doesn’t make big investments in investigating and evaluating each geothermal source”.

As for the Northwest region, there have been many studies on geological tectonic characteristics, or the location and composition of hot mineral water outcrops, but no detailed geothermal survey has been conducted.

With the assistance of geothermal experts from the US, in early 1980s, some projects on using geothermal energy to dry some farm and forestry products such as tea, cassava, bananas and medicinal herbs in My Lam, Tuyen Quang were implemented.

The research team found that of 164 geothermal sources in the Northwest region, 18 could be exploited for electricity generation. It is estimated that the total electricity generation capacity of the 18 sources is 170 MW. The lowest source has the capacity of 4.2 MW (Pe Luong in Dien Bien) and the biggest 17.4 MW (Bo Duot in Ha Giang).

However, there are only five basins which have the potential for electricity generation in industrial scale, including Quang Ngan (Ha Giang), My Lam (Tuyen Quang), Dien Bien and Thanh Thuy (in Phu Tho) and Van Chan (Yen Bai).

After that, the research team gathered strength to conduct in-depth survey on the properties and composition of geothermal solutions and make calculations for an electricity production model with a capacity of 200-300KW in Uva area, Dien Bien geothermal basin.

The scientists believe that Vietnam can develop a 6.6 MW geothermal power plant in Uva, exploit mineral water with the capacity of 10 cubic meters per day and use the energy to dry farm produce.

Kim Chi

 

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