J. Appl. Environ. Biol. Sci., 4(3)300-314, 2014 © 2014, TextRoad Publication ISSN: 2090-4274 Journal of Applied Environmental and Biological Sciences www.textroad.com Corresponding Author: Siamak Gharibi Asle, Department of Agricultural Mechanization, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Email: siamakgharibi@gmail.com Technical Feasibility Study of Geothermal Energy Use of Meshkinshahr Site for Greenhouse Heating Siamak Gharibi Asle 1* , Morteza Almassi 1 , Morteza Yari 2 , Babak Beheshti 3 and Saeid Minaei 4 1 Department of Agricultural Mechanization, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 2 Faculty of Engineering University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 179, Iran 3 Department of Agricultural Machinery, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 4 Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Received: November 4 2013 Accepted: February 28 2014 ABSTRACT Among the most important factors for social, industrial and prosperity development is energy, and in particular, inexpensive energy. Therefore, applying energy management and surveying is considered as a part of requirements and needs for increased productivity of production factors. Greenhouse heating can be provided using different systems and various methods. This research was done on geothermal site of Meshkinshahr for greenhouse heating in 2014. The required heat load was calculated that was designed considering the influence and transfer of the heat through greenhouse cover (load loss). Typical thermal systems, including space heating systems and floor and platform heating systems were considered. The geothermal site of Meshkinshar has the heating capacity of at least 123 greenhouse units in the conditions of glass cover at interior temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and the peak load of 100%, which indicates the high potential of this region to provide heating needs of greenhouse products and reducing energy costs. In general, in this site, in terms of technical parameters of greenhouse number, floor and platform heating systems, the most suitable cover material was obtained as the double-layer polyethylene with internal temperature of 12 degrees Celsius with a peak load of 60%. Also, regarding the annual heat load factor, this coating material gained an acceptable ranking for the geothermal site of Meshkinshahr. KEYWORDS: Geothermal site of Meshkinshar, Technical factors, Number of greenhouses, Greenhouse heat load factor, Number of pipes in the heating floor and platform INTRODUCTION Energy, and in particular inexpensive energy, is one of the most important factors for social, industrial and prosperity development. Therefore, applying energy management and surveying is a part of requirements and needs to enhance the productivity of production factors. We are faced with the problem of decision-making when at least there are two solutions to reach the target. Thus, decision-making includes the selection of the optimum project among the alternative projects based on standards, and the criteria that are used for determining priorities and preferences (Haj Saghti et al., 1998). Limited resources make us to use the existing resources optimally and apply the funds in the most appropriate way. Improper use of funds, not only may lead to lost opportunities for the investor, but also would cause irreparable losses. In order to avoid such losses and efficient use of capital, each investment plan needs to be evaluated before implementation with the help of reasonable regulations and criteria. Meanwhile, the feasibility studies should define the required technology for a particular project and evaluate the technological alternatives to select the most appropriate technology in terms of most favorable combination of the plan components. Hence, the necessities of selecting appropriate technology and the use of technology to provide the interests of society and production include its correct assessment. In such an investigation, the plan cost and profitability is mostly considered. It should be noted that the process of technology assessment requires the consideration of many factors that only two types of technical and economic assessments are reviewed here (Majidian, 1997). Introducing the potential for geothermal energy in Iran and Meshkinshahr Extensive studies were began since 1976 in Iran to identify potential sources of geothermal energy by Ministry of Energy in cooperation with the ENEL Italian consulting engineers in northern and north west areas of Iran in an area of 260000 square kilometers. The research results revealed that areas of Sabalan, Damavand, Khoy, Maku and Sahand with an area over 31000 square kilometers are appropriate for performing further studies and exploiting geothermal energy. In this context, the exploration program including geological, geophysical and geochemical studies was planned. Current Mountain Sabalan has caused by Pliocene time 300