Geothermal energy is heat energy that is obtained inside the earth’s surface. Water and/or steam transfer geothermal energy to the Earth’s surface. Depending on its characteristics, geothermal energy can be used for heating and cooling or it can be used to produce clean electricity. However, electricity generation requires high or medium temperature sources, which are usually located near tectonically active areas. The main advantages are that it does not depend on weather conditions and has very high capacity factors; for these reasons, geothermal power plants are capable of supplying baseload electricity, as well as providing short-term and long-term flexibility assistance in some cases.
Geothermal energy is one of the least researched areas of renewable energy sources in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Previous research determined temperatures at locations in Bosanski Šamac (85°C), Kakanj (54°C) and Sarajevo (58°C) that are too low to start electricity production, which is the main reason why these reserves are taken into consideration only when it comes to the exploitation of thermal energy. Geological and hydrogeological research confirmed the fact that in the northern part of the country there are suitable conditions for the use of this source of energy with accumulations of geothermal water at a temperature of 35-150°C. However, to date, this potentially interesting source of clean energy has not been systematically used in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In areas where thermomineral water penetrates to the surface, a small part of the potential is currently used for heating tourist, spa and business buildings, mainly using heat pumps, while the general use of this type of renewable energy for heating in BiH is minimal and scarce. The reason for this is mainly the high investment costs required for geological and hydrogeological research and the significant risk that the funds invested in the research will not be valorized. Since Bosnia and Herzegovina is a developing country, these financial resources are even more difficult to find. Certain assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in this area is offered by international development programs, which are willing to finance research into the country’s geothermal potential. Greater investment in research and implementation of specific projects is needed, and that a systematic approach is used to resolve various barriers so that potentials can be used better and more easily, because otherwise we only remain with potentials on paper from which we have no social benefits.