GEO-THERMAL WATER USE OPPORTUNITIES IN ROMANIA.

At present, there is a lot of interest in finding new energy sources because energy consumption is much above energy production. Geo-thermal energy is part of the category of renewable energies and a non-polluting green energy. Humans have used hot water springs from times immemorial for different purposes. Statistics show that Romania has an outstanding potential in geo-thermal water resources: it ranks third in Europe after Greece and Italy. However, geo-thermal waters are underestimated. The authors of this paper present the main localities in the Western Plain with geo-thermal resources and point out the possibilities of valorising them thus contributing to the development of the communities in the context of circular economic development. Geothermal waters can be used to heat dwellings (buildings, tap water, greenhouses, etc.), to produce electricity at very low costs and to develop tourism activities that could contribute to the economic growth of the area. The research confirms that in Romania there are many places that have geo-thermal water, but investments in this area are needed. Geothermal energy can, at least at local level, contribute significantly to the decrease of fossil fuel consumption economically competitive, thus leading to a decrease of imports of fossil fuels and of combustion pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]