Use and potential of geothermal energy in Belgium

Our basic knowledge of the geothermal potential in Belgium derives from existing geological reconnaissance surveys. As a result of the energy crises in the 1970s and early 1980s, efforts were made by public organisations such as the Belgian National Geological Survey and the Directorate-General for Science, Research and Development of the European Community to acquire further fundamental knowledge in the geological and technological fields related to the implementation of low-enthalpy geothermal projects. This led to the development of a low-enthalpy geothermal plant close to Mons in the south, and to a demonstration project for a doublet system in north Belgium. Following the drop in oil prices in the mid-eighties, there was a corresponding decrease in the efforts to develop geothermal installations. The resources of the potential areas identified in a previous work were assessed. This paper updates the resource assessment to the end of 1994 and describes the current, albeit limited, use of geothermal energy in Belgium. © 1998 CNR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.