This seminar is part of the Tuesday Seminar Series organized by the Center for Hydrogeology and Geothermics (CHYN) at the University of Neuchâtel. We are pleased to welcome Abdelkader Ait Ouali from the Renewable Energies Development Center (CDER), Algeria, who will discuss the he role of geothermal energy for sustainable development in Africa.

Abstract
Geothermal resources in Africa are considered by a high number of hot springs in the north of the continent. More than 400 thermal springs were inventoried, with temperatures varying between 30° and 98°C, this zone considered by a significant geothermal gradient which reaches 50°C/Km. High enthalpy geothermal energy is located in the African rift countries (Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia,..), while other regions are characterized by low to medium enthalpy geothermal energy. In North Africa, a global map of Main Geothermal provinces in Algeria was drawn recently updating hydrochemistry data and we calculated the geothermal potential. The maximum thermal spring temperature at the surface reaches T= 98°C in North Eastern province, most geothermal reservoir temperatures don't exceed 130°C based on geochemical methods. The thermal spring waters have a meteoric origin and all samples are immature with a strong mixture between warm and shallow waters. For the far southern countries, low to medium enthalpy geothermal energy is used for heating and thermal tourism (Namibia, South Africa).