Articles

The new Geothermal Energy: Science, Society, and Technology

Authors: Olaf Kolditz, Luis Carlos Gutiérrez-Negrín, Ernst Huenges, Leslie Jakobs, Thomas Kohl and Inga Moeck

Flow-through experiments on the interaction of sandstone with Ba-rich fluids at geothermal conditions

It is commonly known that heat extraction and decompression can lead to mineral precipitation and reservoir clogging in geothermal systems. In the Upper Rhine Graben, the precipitating minerals are mainly bari...

Authors: Pia Orywall, Kirsten Drüppel, Dietmar Kuhn, Thomas Kohl, Michael Zimmermann and Elisabeth Eiche

Concepts of modeling surface energy anisotropy in phase-field approaches

To simulate the growth of geological veins, it is necessary to model the crystal shape anisotropy. Two different models, classical and natural models, which incorporate the surface energy anisotropy into the obje...

Authors: Oleg Tschukin, Alexander Silberzahn, Michael Selzer, Prince G. K. Amos, Daniel Schneider and Britta Nestler

Workshop “Geothermal fluids in saline systems”

Earth’s crust offers a vast resource of heat that can be used and converted into energy both for electricity and heating/cooling purposes. The utilization of this geothermal energy can make an important contri...

Authors: Simona Regenspurg and Thorsten Schäfer

Performance of geothermal power plants (single, dual, and binary) to compensate for LHC-CERN power consumption: comparative study

The aim of this study is to compare between single flash, dual flash, and binary power plants in terms of the power generated, their performance, and the related cost. The results from the comparison are used ...

Authors: M. El Haj Assad, E. Bani-Hani and M. Khalil

Utilizing supercritical geothermal systems: a review of past ventures and ongoing research activities

Supercritical geothermal systems are very high-temperature geothermal systems that are located at depths near or below the brittle–ductile transition zone in the crust where the reservoir fluid is assumed to b...

Authors: Thomas Reinsch, Patrick Dobson, Hiroshi Asanuma, Ernst Huenges, Flavio Poletto and Bernard Sanjuan

Computational modeling of calcite cementation in saline limestone aquifers: a phase-field study

The present article investigates the effect of initial grain size on the overall growth kinetics during calcite cementation from supersaturated geothermal fluid whilst tracking the grain boundary behavior of t...

Authors: Nishant Prajapati, Michael Selzer and Britta Nestler

Development of an updated geothermal reservoir conceptual model for NW Sabalan geothermal field, Iran

In this paper, a conceptual model has been developed for NW Sabalan geothermal field using exploration indicators. These indicators include the data and results of subsurface and surface investigations compris...

Authors: Mirmahdi Seyedrahimi-Niaraq, Faramarz Doulati Ardejani, Younes Noorollahi and Soheil Porkhial

Numerical analysis of downhole heat exchanger designed for geothermal energy production

A traditional way of geothermal energy production implies hot brine extraction from the reservoir to a surface facility. This method is economically profitable only for high enthalpy reservoirs associated with...

Authors: I. Akhmadullin and M. Tyagi

Assessment of performance and parameter sensitivity of multicomponent geothermometry applied to a medium enthalpy geothermal system

The determination of reservoir temperatures represents a major task when exploring geothermal systems. Since the uncertainties of classical solute geothermometry are still preventing reliable reservoir tempera...

Authors: Fabian Nitschke, Sebastian Held, Ignacio Villalon, Thomas Neumann and Thomas Kohl

Copper precipitation as consequence of steel corrosion in a flow-through experiment mimicking a geothermal production well

Decreasing production rates and massive precipitation of native copper (Cu(0)) were observed in the production well at the geothermal research facility Groß Schönebeck (Germany). The Cu precipitates filling up...

Authors: Simona Regenspurg, Ives Geigenmüller, Harald Milsch and Michael Kühn

Damage event analysis of vertical ground source heat pump systems in Germany

In recent years, some spectacular cases of damage occurred with vertical ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems in Germany. Broad media coverage attracted enormous public attention, with reports about land sub...

Authors: Paul Fleuchaus and Philipp Blum

How well suited are current thermodynamic models to predict or interpret the composition of (Ba,Sr)SO₄ solid-solutions in geothermal scalings?

In this study, we report results of the analysis of a particularly interesting scaling sample from the geothermal plant in Neustadt-Glewe in northern Germany, which contained 19% Galena (PbS) and 81% of a hete...

Authors: Frank Heberling, Dieter Schild, Detlev Degering and Thorsten Schäfer

Structural, geochemical, and mineralogical investigation of active hydrothermal fluid discharges at Strýtan hydrothermal chimney, Akureyri Bay, Eyjafjörður region, Iceland

A submarine hydrothermal fluid discharge structure in Akureyri Bay, Eyjafjörður region, Iceland, was investigated by means of structural, geochemical, and mineralogical methods. Thermal and chemical gradients ...

Authors: Richard Stanulla, Christiane Stanulla, Erlendur Bogason, Thomas Pohl and Broder Merkel

Assessment of the resource base for engineered geothermal systems in Great Britain

An assessment of the engineered geothermal system (EGS) resource base that might be available for the generation of electricity for Great Britain has been undertaken by adopting a globally self-consistent prot...

Authors: Jon Busby and Ricky Terrington

Groundwater age and hydrothermalism of confined aquifers in the Argentine Pampean plain

The Pampean plain of Cordoba province (Argentina) has hydrothermal manifestations linked to Cretaceous depocenters. However, they are in general neither well known nor carefully used, and, in numerous cases, t...

Authors: Adriana Cabrera, Mónica Blarasin and Luciana Maldonado

Fluid-induced seismicity: comparison of rate- and state- and critical pressure theory

Induced seismicity as generated by the injection of fluids in a homogeneous, permeable medium with faults with variable proximity to rupture conditions is simulated using the rate- and state-dependent friction...

Authors: Friedemann Wenzel

Scale-fragment formation impairing geothermal energy production: interacting H₂S corrosion and CaCO₃ crystal growth

Mineral precipitates (scaling) from deep saline thermal waters often constitute a major problem during geothermal energy production. The occurrence of scale-fragments accumulating and clogging pipes, filters, ...

Authors: Ronny Boch, Albrecht Leis, Edith Haslinger, Johann E. Goldbrunner, Florian Mittermayr, Heinz Fröschl, Dorothee Hippler and Martin Dietzel

Assessment of subsurface temperature distribution from the gauged wells of Puga Valley, Ladakh

Among the distinguished zones of geothermal potential in India, the Puga Valley is identified as one of the potential sites for tapping geothermal energy at industrial scale. The hydrogeological properties and...

Authors: Shibani K. Jha and Harish Puppala

Enjoying the outdoor pool in a cold climate

The article explores the significance of abundant geothermal resources Icelanders enjoy, the comfort of inexpensively heated homes and easily accessible year-round public spaces where young and old can gather ...

Authors: Örn D. Jónsson and Ólafur Rastrick

The origin of deep geothermal anomalies in the German Molasse Basin: results from 3D numerical models of coupled fluid flow and heat transport

The European Molasse Basin is a Tertiary foreland basin at the northern front of the Alps, which is filled with mostly clastic sediments. These Molasse sediments are underlain by Mesozoic sedimentary successio...

Authors: Anna M. Przybycin, Magdalena Scheck-Wenderoth and Michael Schneider

Potential assessment of methane and heat production from geopressured–geothermal aquifers

Geopressured–geothermal aquifers of the US Gulf Coast contain a significant amount of geothermal energy and dissolved methane. This study investigates the effect of brine reinjection on the production of heat ...

Authors: Reza Ganjdanesh and Seyyed Abolfazl Hosseini

Response surface method for assessing energy production from geopressured geothermal reservoirs

Developing low-enthalpy geothermal resources along the US Gulf Coast is attractive for reducing global warming and providing clean energy. In this work, synthetic yet representative models for typical geopress...

Authors: Esmail Ansari and Richard Hughes

3D geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data to test the 3D geologic model of the Bradys geothermal area, Nevada, USA

Three-dimensional geophysical inversion modeling of gravity data has been performed to test the validity of a 3D geologic model constructed for the Bradys geothermal area. Geophysical modeling was implemented ...

Authors: Jeffrey B. Witter, Drew L. Siler, James E. Faulds and Nicholas H. Hinz

New stratigraphic interpretation of the Soultz-sous-Forêts 30-year-old geothermal wells calibrated on the recent one from Rittershoffen (Upper Rhine Graben, France)

The Soultz-sous-Forêts site (Alsace, France) is the first pilot geothermal project in the world that furnished the proof of concept of enhanced geothermal systems by producing energy from a deep-seated granite...

Authors: C. Aichholzer, Ph. Duringer, S. Orciani and A. Genter

Thermal modeling and heat flow density interpretation of the onshore Northwest Java Basin, Indonesia

Studies pertaining to heat flow density distribution in Indonesian tertiary sedimentary basins have been conducted intermittently throughout more than two decades. Even so, all of these studies have always con...

Authors: Setya D. H. Putra, Suryantini and Wahyu Srigutomo

Coupling of energy conversion systems and wellbore heat exchanger in a depleted oil well

The conventional geothermal power plants use the reinjection wells mostly to avoid the depletion of the geothermal reservoir gathering in the underground of the produced brine. Nevertheless, reinjection operat...

Authors: C. Alimonti, D. Berardi, D. Bocchetti and E. Soldo

Parametric modeling and simulation of photovoltaic panels with earth water heat exchanger cooling

Photovoltaic (PV) systems work efficiently up to a certain cell temperature and exhibit efficiency losses and long-term degradation if the cell temperature exceeds a certain limit. The rise in temperature can ...

Authors: Sanjeev Jakhar, Manoj S. Soni and Nikhil Gakkhar

Geothermal energy from the Main Karoo Basin? New insights from borehole KWV-1 (Eastern Cape, South Africa)

Deep sedimentary basins are currently being assessed globally with respect to their geothermal energy resources. So far, the utilization of deep geothermal energy has not been addressed or included in any rene...

Authors: Stuart A. Campbell, Philipp Mielke and Annette E. Götz

Investigating heat and magnetic source depths in the Soutpansberg Basin, South Africa: exploring the Soutpansberg Basin Geothermal Field

The research was conducted to seek geothermal energy potential in the Soutpansberg Basin, located in the northern part of South Africa. The depths of the potential heat sources were computed from the radially ...

Authors: P. K. Nyabeze and O. Gwavava

Criteria and geological setting for the generic geothermal underground research laboratory, GEOLAB

High flow rate injection and related hydromechanical interaction are the most important factors in reservoir development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). GeoLaB, a new generic geothermal underground resea...

Authors: Eva Schill, Jörg Meixner, Carola Meller, Manuel Grimm, Jens C. Grimmer, Ingrid Stober and Thomas Kohl

Pre-drilling assessments of average porosity and permeability in the geothermal reservoirs of the Danish area

Denmark constitutes a low-enthalpy geothermal area, and currently geothermal production takes places from two sandstone-rich formations: the Bunter Sandstone and the Gassum formations. These formations form ma...

Authors: Lars Kristensen, Morten Leth Hjuler, Peter Frykman, Mette Olivarius, Rikke Weibel, Lars Henrik Nielsen and Anders Mathiesen

Influence of depth, temperature, and structure of a crustal heat source on the geothermal reservoirs of Tuscany: numerical modelling and sensitivity study

Granitoid intrusions are the primary heat source of many deep geothermal reservoirs in Tuscany. The depth and shape of these plutons, characterised in this study by a prominent seismic reflector (the K horizo...

Authors: Anozie Ebigbo, Jan Niederau, Gabriele Marquart, Ivano Dini, Martin Thorwart, Wolfgang Rabbel, Renate Pechnig, Ruggero Bertani and Christoph Clauser

The Cornubian geothermal province: heat production and flow in SW England: estimates from boreholes and airborne gamma-ray measurements

The Cornubian granite batholith provides one of the main high heat production and flow provinces within the UK. An extensive programme of borehole measurements was undertaken in the 1980s to characterise the g...

Authors: David Beamish and Jon Busby

Evolution of fracture permeability with respect to fluid/rock interactions under thermohydromechanical conditions: development of experimental reactive percolation tests

The evolution of fracture permeability is crucial as regards the lifespan of the deep fractured geothermal exchanger of an Enhanced Geothermal System site. The objective in developing reactive percolation test...

Authors: A. Blaisonneau, M. Peter-Borie and S. Gentier

Modeling coupled convection and carbon dioxide injection for improved heat harvesting in geopressured geothermal reservoirs

Geopressured geothermal saline aquifers are an abundant low-enthalpy geothermal energy resource available in many coastal regions including the US Gulf of Mexico. In such geographic areas thick geopressured sa...

Authors: Tatyana Plaksina and Christopher White

Fractality of The Geysers

Heat convection at pore-scale, which is strongly dependent on the topology of pore space, remains poorly understood for geothermal reservoirs. This is despite fundamental advances made in modeling heat transfe...

Authors: A. Sakhaee-Pour

Some methods for reducing of steam deficit at geothermal power plants exploitation: experience of Kamchatka (Russia)

Experiences in the use of methods for reducing steam deficit in operating geothermal power plants in Kamchatka (Russia) are summarized. Methods which are able to increase the steam flow rate of existing wells ...

Authors: A. N. Shulyupin and I. I. Chernev

Geothermal exploration in Gujarat: case study from Dholera

Utilization of Geothermal resources is an alternate, sustainable energy, which needs to be harnessed in India . Exploration of the resource is the first step to understand potential leads and prospects in the ...

Authors: Anirbid Sircar, Manan Shah, Shreya Sahajpal, Dwijen Vaidya, Shubhra Dhale and Anjali Chaudhary

The effect of spatial aperture variations on the thermal performance of discretely fractured geothermal reservoirs

The effect of spatial aperture variations on the thermal performance of discretely fractured geothermal reservoirs was investigated using finite element method solutions to the convective heat transfer in the ...

Authors: Don Bruce Fox, Donald Lyle Koch and Jefferson William Tester

Geochemical/hydrochemical evaluation of the geothermal potential of the Lamongan volcanic field (Eastern Java, Indonesia)

Magmatic settings involving active volcanism are potential locations for economic geothermal systems due to the occurrence of high temperature and steam pressures. Indonesia, located along active plate margins...

Authors: Fiorenza Deon, Hans-Jürgen Förster, Maren Brehme, Bettina Wiegand, Traugott Scheytt, Inga Moeck, Makky S. Jaya and Dewi J. Putriatni

Simulating thermal pollution caused by a hypothetical groundwater heat pump system under different climate, operation and hydrogeological conditions

Thermal–hydraulic analysis was conducted to examine the propagation of temperature anomalies under different climatic, subsurface and operation conditions. A series of scenarios simulated by numerical modeling...

Authors: Luminda Niroshana Gunawardhana, So Kazama and Ghazi A. Al-Rawas

Design of earth–air heat exchanger system

The earth–air heat exchanger (EAHE) is a promising technique which can effectively be used to reduce the heating/cooling load of a building by preheating the air in winter and vice versa in summer. In the last...

Authors: Trilok Singh Bisoniya

The 3D conductive thermal field of the North Alpine Foreland Basin: influence of the deep structure and the adjacent European Alps

We use a databased lithospheric-scale 3D structural model of the Molasse Basin area and the adjacent part of the Alpine orogen to calculate the present-day 3D thermal field of this continental collision zone. ...

Authors: Anna M. Przybycin, Magdalena Scheck-Wenderoth and Michael Schneider

Monitoring of a geothermal reservoir by hybrid gravimetry; feasibility study applied to the Soultz-sous-Forêts and Rittershoffen sites in the Rhine graben

The study is devoted to the monitoring of a geothermal reservoir by hybrid gravimetry combining different types of instruments (permanent superconducting gravimeter, absolute ballistic gravimeter, and micro-gr...

Authors: Jacques Hinderer, Marta Calvo, Yassine Abdelfettah, Basile Hector, Umberto Riccardi, Gilbert Ferhat and Jean-Daniel Bernard

Maximum potential for geothermal power in Germany based on engineered geothermal systems

We estimate the maximum geothermal potential in Germany available for exploitation by operated engineered geothermal systems (EGS). To this end, we assume that (a) capabilities for creating sufficient permeabi...

Authors: Charitra Jain, Christian Vogt and Christoph Clauser

Earth-air heat exchanger as a green retrofit for Chandīgarh—a critical review

The natural resources of the Earth are being exploited beyond its sustainable capacity. The building industry consumes nearly 40 % of the global energy requirement. A major portion of this is used in meeting a...

Authors: Jaskiran Sobti and Sanjay Kumar Singh

Extending the persistent primary variable algorithm to simulate non-isothermal two-phase two-component flow with phase change phenomena

In high-enthalpy geothermal reservoirs and many other geo-technical applications, coupled non-isothermal multiphase flow is considered to be the underlying governing process that controls the system behavior. ...

Authors: Yonghui Huang, Olaf Kolditz and Haibing Shao

User motivation, energy prosumers, and regional diversity: sociological notes on using shallow geothermal energy

In this paper, we shed light on some sociocultural aspects underlying the use of shallow geothermal energy and point to relevant research on the utilization and public understanding of geothermal energy. We sh...

Authors: Alena Bleicher and Matthias Gross

Differential alteration of basaltic lava flows and hyaloclastites in Icelandic hydrothermal systems

Geological field observations evidence that active and fossil Icelandic hydrothermal systems are typically embedded into an intercalation of almost completely altered and nearly unaltered volcanic rock layers....

Authors: Bruno M. J. Thien, Georg Kosakowski and Dmitrii A. Kulik