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Geothermal energy resources are necessary to meet the increasing energy requirements worldwide and reduce the impact of climate change, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study is the investigation of the low-enthalpy geothermal system of Pismanta, in the Central Andes of Argentina, to evaluate the possibility of power generation or direct use applications. Results indicate a circulation of meteoric water to the reservoir located in the Iglesia Basin, reaching a maximum depth of 2500 m. A background heat flow of 60 mW/m2 raises the temperature of the reservoir to approximately 95 °C resulting in a mean thermal gradient of 30 °C/km. The preliminary evaluation of four binary cycle energy conversion plants suggests a gross power generation range of 30–280 kW and the capacity of using the remaining heat for direct use applications such as drying of fruits, greenhouses, food processing and membrane distillation processes to solve arsenic problems in freshwater, among others. [Display omitted] • Characterization of geothermal resources prior to expensive drilling actions. • Integrative models provide essential information about geothermal reservoir characteristics. • Power generation or direct use applications of thermal water in the Pismanta system is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerro Domuyo, in northwestern Neuquén province of Argentina, shows notable geothermal activity, although it is located at a considerable distance from the actual volcanic arc. Many studies have been developed in this area with the aim of investigating its geothermal field. Despite these efforts, the characterization of the dynamic activity in the area is still poorly known. This work shows the results of a network of seismological stations, which registered volcano-tectonic, long-period and hybrid events. A large number of volcano-tectonic events concentrated mostly in the Cerro Domuyo geothermal area were detected. These events can be divided into two groups, those that occurred at shallow depths below the geothermal area and those at greater depths below the high region of Cerro Domuyo. Shallow events were located around the Manchana Covunco fault and many of them were particularly clustered at its intersection with the Humazo fault. Seismicity in the area shows that these faults are continually active due to fluid movement, as was evidenced by the hydrothermal manifestation of the Humazo in 2003. Moreover, new studies provide evidence that the Cerro Domuyo is experiencing an important inflation caused by a magmatic body. Deep volcano-tectonic events are evidencing this activity. Considering the large distance between the actual volcanic arc and the study region, and the high density of shallow volcano-tectonic events, it is highly likely that this magmatic body is increasing the geothermal activity. Additionally, the aeromagnetic anomaly over Cerro Domuyo is showing a thin magnetic crust of less than 6 km, suggesting a clear link between the geophysical results and the inflation in Cerro Domuyo. • Cerro Domuyo presents a high local micro seismicity. • The shallowest seismicity is related with geothermal activity. • The deepest seismicity could be associated with the observed inflation. • At Domuyo region there is observed a thinner magnetic crust compared to the surrounding areas. • Geothermal activity, VT events, thermal attenuation and the inflation observed are highly related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]