Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A preliminary investigation for the assessment of geothermal potential at Eastern Peninsular India

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Eastern part of peninsular India has exposed Precambrian metasediments, granitic gneissic rocks, basic and ultrabasic intrusives. More than 30 thermal springs issuing through these rocks have been located in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Based on chemical geothermometry of these thermal waters, the reservoir temperatures are estimated to be in the range of 100–195 °C. The area has high heat producing granites with the heat flow values ranging from 59.8 to 119.5 mW/m2. The area is suitable for hosting wet as well as a dry geothermal system. Using Organic Rankin Cycle, a minimum potential of Eastern Peninsular India is estimated to be of 2566 MWe capacity. The exploitation of these geothermal systems in the area can help reduce greenhouse gases. Approximately 6 × 105 tons of CO2 emissions per year can be reduced as well as carbon equivalent revenue of 106 million USD per year can be generated with the installation of geothermal power plants. Furthermore, geothermal fields in the region can also be utilized for fish farming, cold storage, greenhouses, etc.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

[Modified from Zuurdeeg and Van der Weiden (1985) and Appelo and Postma (2004)]

Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmad M, Wanjari N (2009) Volcano-sedimentary sequence in the Munger-Rajgir metasedimentary belt, Gaya district, Bihar. Indian J Geosci 63(4):351–360

    Google Scholar 

  • Appelo CAJ, Postma D (2004) Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Barylo A (2000) Assessment of the energy potential of the Beregovsky geothermal system, Ukraine. Geothermal Training Program, The United Nations University, Reykjavik, Iceland

  • Bertani R (2015) Geothermal power generation in the world 2010–2014 update report. In: Proceedings world geothermal congress 2015, Melbourne, Australia

  • Boomeri M, Mizuta T, Ishiyama D, Nakashima K (2006) Fluorine and chlorine in biotite from sarnworas granitic rocks, Northeastern Iran. Iran J Sci Technol Trans A 30(A1):111–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Bora S, Kumar S (2015) Geochemistry of biotites and host granitoid plutons from the Proterozoic Mahakoshal Belt, central India tectonic zone: implication for nature and tectonic setting of magmatism. Int Geol Rev 57(11–12):1686–1706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brehler B, Fuge R (1974) Chlorine. Handbook of geochemistry, vol 2, pp 17A–17O

  • CEA (2016) Report on fly ash generatin at coal/lignite based thermal power stations and its utilization in the country for the year 2015–16. Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi

  • Cermak V, Huckenholz HG, Rybach L, Schmid R (1982) Radioactive heat generation in rocks. In: Hellwege K (ed) Landolt-Bornstein numerical data and functional relationships in science and technology. New series, group V. Geophysics and space research. Springer, Berlin, pp 433–481

    Google Scholar 

  • CGWB (2007) Ground water information booklet Mungher district, Bihar state

  • Chandrasekharam D (2000) Geothermal energy resources of India—country update. World Geothermal Congress 2000, Kyushu-Tohoku, Japan, pp 133–145

  • Chandrasekharam D, Bundschuh J (2008) Low-enthalpy geothermal resources for power generation. CRC Press, Leiden

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chandrasekharam D, Lashin A, Al Arifi N (2014) CO2 mitigation strategy through geothermal energy, Saudi Arabia. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 38:154–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chevnychelov VY, Botcharnikov RE, Holtz F (2008) Experimental study of fluorine and chlorine contents in mica (biotite) and their partitioning between mica, phonolite melt, and fluid. Geochem Int 46(II):1081–1089

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deb S, Mukherjee AL (1969) On the genesis of a few groups of thermal springs in the Chotanagpur Gneissic Complex, India. J Geochem Soc India 4:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Desikachar SV (1974) Himalayan orogeny and plate tectonics–a geological interpretation. Geol Surv India Misc Publ 34:29–39

    Google Scholar 

  • DiPippo R (2008) Geothermal power plants: principles, applications, case studies and environmental impact. Butterworth-Heinemann is an imprint of Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 587

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn JA (1939) Post Mesozoic movements in the northern part of the Peninsula. Mem. Geoll Surv India 73:137–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn JA (1942) The economic geology and mineral resources of Bihar province. Government of India Press, Howrah

    Google Scholar 

  • Dwivedi AK, Pandey UK, Murugan C, Bhatt AK, Ramesh Babu PV, Joshi M (2011) Geochemistry and geochronology of A-type Barabazar granite: implications on the geodynamics of South Purulia Shear Zone, Singhbhum craton, Eastern India. J Geol Soc India 77(6):527–538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EIA (2015) Annual Energy Outlook 2015. US Energy Information Administration, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Erkan K (2015) Geothermal investigations in western Anatolia using equilibrium temperatures from shallow boreholes. Solid Earth 6:103–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fournier RO (1991) Water geothermometers applied to geothermal energy In: F.D. Amore (ed), Application of geochemistry in geothermal reservoir development. Series of technical Guides on the use of geothermal energy. UNITAR/UNDP Centre on Small Energy Resources, pp. 411.

  • Fournier RO, Truesdell AH (1970) Geochemical indicators of subsurface temperature applied to hot spring waters of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA (proceeding of UN symposium on the development and utilization of geothermal resources, Pisa). Geothermics Spec. Issue, vol 2, pp 529–535

  • Franco A, Donatini F (2017) Methods for the estimation of the energy stored in geothermal reservoirs. J Phys: Conf Ser 796(1):012025

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghose D, Chatterjee SD (1980) Genesis of the abundance of helium formation in natural gas emanating from thermal springs. Proc Indian Natl Sci Acad Part A 46(1):81–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghose D, Chowdhury DP, Sinha B (2002) Large-scale helium escape from earth surface around Bakreswar–Tantloi geothermal area in Birbhum district, West Bengal, and Dumka district, Jharkhand, India. Curr Sci 82(8):993–996

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh PK (1948) Mineral springs of India. In: Proceeding 35th indian science congress, pp 221–250

  • Giggenbach WF (1988) Geothermal solute equilibria. Derivation of Na–K–Mg–Ca geoindicators. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 52(12):2749–2765

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami B, Bhattacharyya C (2014) Petrogenesis of shoshonitic granitoids, eastern India: implications for the late Grenvillian post-collisional magmatism. Geosci Front 5(6):821–843

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GSI (1993) Geological map of India, Scale 1:5000000. In: Dasgupta AK, Ghose A, Chakraborty KK (eds) Geological survey of India, Hyderabad

  • GSI (2006) Bouguer gravity anomalies (Terrain corrected) superposed on geological map of India. A collaborative project of Geological Survey of India, National Geophysical Research Institute, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, Survey of India and Oil India Limited, Scale 1:2000000. GSI

  • Kaila KL, Rao IBP, Rao PK, Rao NM, Krishna VG, Sridhar AR (1981) DSS studies over Deccan trap along the Thuadara-Sendhwa-Sindad profile across Narmada-Son lineament, India. In: Mereu RF, Muller S, Fauntain DM (eds) Properties of earth’s lower crust. American Geophysical Union Monograph, Washington, pp 127–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Lachenbruch AH (1968) Preliminary geothermal model of the Sierra Nevada. J Geophys Res 73(22):6977–6989

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langmuir D, Melchior D (1985) The geochemistry of Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra sulfates in some deep brines from the Palo Duro Basin, Texas. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 49(11):2423–2432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahadevan TM (2002) Geology of Bihar and Jharkhand. Geological Society of India Bangalore, Bangalore, p 563

    Google Scholar 

  • Majumdar RK, Majumdar N, Mukherjee AL (2000) Geoelectric investigations in Bakreswar geothermal area, West Bengal, India. J Appl Geophys 45(3):187–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maus S, Sazonova T, Hemant K, Fairhead JD, Ravat D (2007) National geophysical data center candidate for the world digital magnetic anomaly map. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 8(6):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendrinos D, Karytsas C, Georgilakis PS (2008) Assessment of geothermal resources for power generation. J Optoelectron Adv Mater 10(5):1262–1267

    Google Scholar 

  • Minissale A, Chandrasekharam D, Vaselli O, Magro G, Tassi F, Pansini GL, Bhramhabut A (2003) Geochemistry, geothermics and relationship to active tectonics of Gujarat and Rajasthan thermal discharges, India. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 127(1):19–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MIT (2006) The future of geothermal energy: impact of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) on the United States in the 21st century, vol 209. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, p 358

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan P (2011) Heat flow, continental. In: Gupta HK (ed) Encyclopedia of solid earth geophysics. Encyclopedia of earth sciences series. Springer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee D, Kumar A (2005) Report on thematic geological mapping and geochemical survey in parts of Hazaribagh district, Bihar. Geol Surv India, pp. 1–46

  • Mukhopadhyay M, Verma RK, Ashraf MH (1986) Gravity field and structures of the Rajmahal Hills: examples of the Paleo-Mesozoic continental margin in Eastern India. Tectonophysics 131(3–4):353–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagar RK, Vishwanathan G, Sagar S, Sankaranaraanan A (1996) Geological, geophysical and geochemical investigations in Bakreshwar-Tantloi thermal field, Birbhum and Santhal Parganas districts, Best Bengal and Bihar, India. Visesa Prakasana-Bharatiya Bhuvaijñanika Sarveksana 45:349–360

    Google Scholar 

  • Negraru PT, Blackwell DD, Erkan K (2008) Heat flow and geothermal potential in the South-Central United States. Nat Resour Res 17(4):227–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey GC, Raymahashay BC (1981) Studies on some low-temperature east Indian hot springs. Chem Geol 34:113–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parkhurst DL, Appelo C (1999) User’s guide to PHREEQC (Version 2): a computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical calculations. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4259. pp 1–326

  • Piper AM (1944) A graphic procedure in the geochemical interpretation of water-analyses. EOS Trans Am Geophys Union 25(6):914–928

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pribnow D, Schellschmidt R (2000) Thermal tracking of upper crustal fluid flow in the Rhine Graben. Geophys Res Lett 27(13):1957–1960

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rafferty K (1995) A spreadsheet for geothermal energy cost evaluation. Geo-Heat Center Q Bull 16(2):11–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy RF, Blackwell DD, Decker ER (1972) Continental heat flow. In: Robertson EC (ed) The nature of the solid earth. McGraw Hill, New York, pp 506–544

    Google Scholar 

  • Rybach L (1976) Radioactive heat production: a physical property determined by the chemistry. In: Strens RGI (ed) The physical and chemistry of minerals and rocks. Wiley, New York, pp 245–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Saikia A, Gogoi B, Ahmad M, Ahmad T (2014) Geochemical constraints on the evolution of mafic and felsic rocks in the Bathani volcanic and volcano-sedimentary sequence of Chotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex. J Earth Syst Sci 123(5):959–987

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar AN (1982) Precambrian tectonic evolution of eastern India: a model of converging microplates. Tectonophysics 86(4):363369–366397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar AN, Basu Mallick S (1972) Study of palaeodynamics in Bandhuwa-Jethian–Rajgir area, Gaya, Nawada and Nalanda districts, Bihar. Unpubl Rep Geol Surv India FS:73

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarmiento ZF, Steingrimsson B, Axelsson G (2013) Volumetric resource assessment, short course V on conceptual modelling of geothermal systems. UNU-GTP and LaGeo, Santa Tecla, El Salvador, p 15

  • Savage D (1986) Granite-water interactions at 100 °C, 50 MPa: an experimental study. Chem Geol 54(1–2):81–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savage D, Cave MR, Milodowski AE (1985) The origin of saline groundwaters in granitic rocks: evidence from hydrothermal experiments. In: MRS Proceedings. Cambridge Univ Press, p 121

  • Savage D, Cave MR, Milodowski AE, George I (1987) Hydrothermal alteration of granite by meteoric fluid: an example from the Carnmenellis Granite, United Kingdom. Contrib Mineral Petrol 96(3):391–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shanker R (1988) Heat flow map of India and discussion on its geological and economic significance. Indian Minls. 42(2):89–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Shanker R (1991) Thermal and crustal structure of ‘‘SONATA’’. A zone of mid continental rifting in Indian shield. J Geol Soc India 37:211–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh HK (2015) Assessment of geothermal resources of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal using field and laboratory investigation. IIT Bombay, Bombay, p 202

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh HK, Chandrasekharam D, Trupti G, Vaselli O, Singh B (2013) Geothermal potential of Bakreswar (West Bengal) and Tantloi (Jharkhand), India, thermal springs using geochemical signature. In: International conference on applied energy 2013, Pretoria, South Africa, pp 1–9

  • Singh HK, Chandarasekharam D, Trupti G, Singh B (2014) Geochemical investigation on thermal and cold springs at Dumka district, Jharkhand, India. Int J Earth Sci Eng 7(1):190–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh HK, Chandarasekharam D, Trupti G, Singh B (2015a) Geochemistry of Rajgir–Munger metasedimentary springs of Bihar, India. World Geothermal Congress, Melbourne, pp 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh HK, Chandrasekharam D, Vaselli O, Trupti G, Singh B, Lashin A, Al Arifi N (2015b) Physico-chemical characteristics of Jharkhand and West Bengal thermal springs along SONATA mega lineament, India. J Earth Syst Sci 124(2):419–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh HK, Chandrasekharam D, Trupti G, Mohite P, Singh B, Varun C, Sinha SK (2016) Potential geothermal energy resources of India: a review. Curr Sustain/Renew Energy Rep 3(3–4):80–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinharay RK, Srivastava S, Bhattacharya BB (2010) Audiomagnetotelluric studies to trace the hydrological system of thermal fluid flow of Bakreswar Hot Spring, Eastern India: a case history. Geophysics 75(5):B187–B195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Somerville M, Wyborn D (1994) Hot dry rocks feasibility study. Energy Research and Development Corporation, Albany

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava GS, Sengupta D (1967) Structural evolution of the metasediments around Rajgir, Patna. Proc Natl Inst Sci India 3:95–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiagarajan TA, Banerjee AS (1967) Systematic mapping in parts of Patna and Gaya districts. Unpubl Rep Geol Surv India

  • UN (2017) World population prospects: the 2017 revision key findings and advance tables Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division

  • Wanjari N, Chaturvedi R, Mahanta B (2014) Geochemical characteristics of mafic magmatic rocks around Gaya, Bihar: possibility of remnant oceanic crust. In: Rock deformation and structures conference: RDS-III-2014, Dibrugarh University, Assam, India, pp 101–103

  • WBPDCL (2016) Annual report 2015–2016, West Bengal, India

  • WEO (2017) World energy outlook 2017 executive summary. International Energy Agency, p 13

  • Yadav BS, Wanjari N, Ahmad T, Chaturvedi R (2016) Geochemistry and petrogenesis of Proterozoic granitic rocks from northern margin of the Chotanagpur Gneissic Complex (CGC). J Earth Syst Sci 125(5):1041–1060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuurdeeg BW, Van der Weiden MJJ (1985) Geochemical aspects of European bottled waters, geochemical aspects of European bottled waters. Theophrastus Publ, Athens, pp 235–264

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The Dr. Hemant Kumar Singh is thankful to SERB for funding this research work through PDF/2016/000027. Authors are thankful to the Director, RGIPT for providing logistics in the preparation of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Petroleum Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Jais, Amethi, 229304, India

    Hemant Kumar Singh & Satish Kumar Sinha

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, Kandi, Telangana, 500089, India

    Dornadula Chandrasekharam

Authors
  1. Hemant Kumar Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Satish Kumar Sinha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dornadula Chandrasekharam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hemant Kumar Singh.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Singh, H.K., Sinha, S.K. & Chandrasekharam, D. A preliminary investigation for the assessment of geothermal potential at Eastern Peninsular India. Geomech. Geophys. Geo-energ. Geo-resour. 6, 9 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-019-00133-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-019-00133-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation