A coupled geothermal model of the Alpokalja area, Hungary—Austria

Abstract

A coupled groundwater flow and heat transport model was developed for a trans-boundary geothermal reservoir located in the Alpokalja area. The study area lies in the western part of the Pannonian Basin, at the border between Hungary and Austria. The study area contains several famous geothermal water utilizations on both sides of the border, which has an impact on natural groundwater conditions. The aim of the modeling study was to evaluate the natural-state and production-state groundwater conditions, and to make predictions on cross-boundary interferences. A three-dimensional finite element-type coupled geothermal model was constructed to provide a coherent quantitative representation of geothermal flow systems. The model described the hydraulic behavior of the flow system, the interaction between different reservoirs, and geothermal conditions.