First geothermal system in Palestine

Panel: Panel 7. Innovative buildings technologies

Author:
Khaled Al Sabawi, President of MENA Geothermal, Palestine

Abstract

Palestinians today are paying the highest energy prices in the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In addition, Palestinians are experiencing population growth rates that are amongst the highest in the world, 3.99% in Gaza and 2.9% in the West Bank. Palestine has no sources of natural energy and is completely dependent on the Israeli occupation for supply. In search of a solution, the first geothermal heating and cooling system has been installed in Palestine with great success with the support of the European Union financed MED-ENEC project. This innovative 23 kW geothermal heating and cooling pilot system installed in Ramallah is designed to achieve a peak coefficient of performance (COP) of 4.2 in heating and 14.5 EER in cooling, giving the geothermal system worst-case scenario efficiency of 420%. This environmentally friendly system utilizes a vertical ground heat-exchanger installed at 70 meters deep. An economical duct system distributes both hot and cold air throughout the building and incorporates a fresh air in-take. Although geothermal system can provide 66% of the domestic hot water for free with a "desuperheater" option, locally manufactured solar water heaters were used. If operated all year long, the geothermal system is expected to reduce operating costs from 8,100 USD (5,818 Euro) per year to merely 2,700 USD (1,939 Euro) per year, which is 67 percent in savings, resulting in a simple payback period 4.2 years. The success of this pilot project has lead to the launch of a new Palestinian business, MENA Geothermal, dedicated to advancing geothermal in the entire Middle East and North Africa.