Assessment of Geothermal Resources Potential in Regions of Russia, Using GIS Technologies

Russia, due to its unique geographical location, has a significant potential of renewable energy resources. Geothermal resources are available in Kamchatka, the Kuril Islands (Sakhalin region), Krasnodar region, and the Republic of Dagestan. The implementation of geothermal energy projects requires an assessment of feasibility and efficiency of local geothermal resources use for energy power supply in the particular regions. To tackle this issue, a large amount of data should be processed. It should address the necessity and possibility of geothermal resources use within the particular territory, energy infrastructure, energy balances, description of geothermal fields, etc. Use of GIS-technologies is an effective tool to solve this complex problem. A common characteristic of the data on geothermal resources in Russia is its fragmentation and inaccessibility. The GIS database “Renewable energy sources of Russia” was developed by the Laboratory of Renewable Energy Sources (Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University) and the Joint Institute of High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is focused on serving a wide range of stakeholders: professionals, students, investors, regional governments, commercial structures etc. This paper presents an attempt in structuring information on geothermal resources based on the particular region of Russia, the assessment of resource potential and the experience of geothermal resources mapping.