ABSTRACT
This chapter presents enhanced hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical and geochemical isotope data for the geothermal waters in the rift zone of the Büyük Menderes, in combination with interpretation of the origin and evolution of these waters as well as their potential for electricity generation and consideration of the environmental impacts of geothermal energy. In other regions, enhanced geothermal waters or hot dry rock systems, which involve drilling into the earth's surface to reach deeper geothermal resources, can allow broader access to geothermal energy. Geothermal power plants differ in terms of the technology used to convert the resource to electricity, by direct steam, flash and binary systems, and the type of cooling technology used, either water-cooled or air-cooled. Geothermal power plants can have implications for water quality and consumption. Most geothermal power plants are closed-loop water systems in which extracted waters are pumped back into the reservoir after they have been used for heat and electricity production.
