ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ

Geothermal energy refers to heat stored in the earth's crust. It can be extracted and used to generate electricity or used directly for heating buildings. In this PhD research, I wanted to determine how much geothermal energy is present in southwestern Tanzania for generating electricity and for direct heating and cooling. I used a combination of methods, including 3D computer modeling of subsurface geology, calculation of subsurface temperature distribution, and quantitative assessment of geothermal resources using geological and geophysical data. In the South Tanganyika Basin, the Rukwa Basin, the Rungwe Volcanic Province (RVP) and the North Nyasa Basin, I found elevated temperatures of over 150 °C at relatively shallow depths, indicating a potential for geothermal power generation. These thermal anomalies are attributed to the ongoing East African rifting, i.e. the break-up of Africa due to plate tectonics.
The results of my research show that there are significant geothermal resources in southwestern Tanzania, with more than 45 MW suitable for direct heating and more than 9 MW suitable for cooling, and up to 8 MW for power generation at economically exploitable depths. A comparison of the net cost of generating geothermal energy shows that direct heating and cooling applications have the greatest potential and are cost-effective in most areas of the RVP and Songwe Basin. The best location for electricity generation is in the RVP. These results provide valuable information for stakeholders to decide which areas are best suited for further exploration and development of geothermal resources. In addition, these results can strengthen Tanzania's national energy policy and help create a more sustainable society.