Articles

The effect of temperature-dependent thermal conductivity on the geothermal structure of the Sydney Basin

The thermal structure of continental crust is a critical factor for geothermal exploration, hydrocarbon maturation and crustal strength, and yet our understanding of it is limited by our incomplete knowledge o...

Authors: Alexandre Lemenager, Craig O’Neill, Siqi Zhang and Morgan Evans

Geothermal exploration in a sedimentary basin: new continuous temperature data and physical rock properties from northern Oman

The lateral and vertical temperature distribution in Oman is so far only poorly understood, particularly in the area between Muscat and the Batinah coast, which is the area of this study and which is composed ...

Authors: Felina Schütz, Gerd Winterleitner and Ernst Huenges

Doped bentonitic grouts for implementing performances of low-enthalpy geothermal systems

Mechanical (flexural and uniaxial compressive strengths) and physical (thermal conductivity) properties of two new bentonitic grouts doped with 5 and 10% of graphite powder are discussed in this work and evalu...

Authors: Marco Viccaro

Geologic framework of the Fang Hot Springs area with emphasis on structure, hydrology, and geothermal development, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand

Geologic mapping, a magnetotelluric survey, well data, and earlier reports are integrated to guide further development of the Fang geothermal system. The Fang Hot Springs originally flowed ~ 20 l s⁻¹ of 90–99 °C ...

Authors: Spencer H. Wood, Pichet Kaewsomwang and Fongsaward Suvagonda Singharajwarapan

Matrix permeability of reservoir rocks, Ngatamariki geothermal field, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

The Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) hosts 23 geothermal fields, seven of which are currently utilised for power generation. Ngatamariki geothermal field (NGF) is one of the latest geothermal power generation develop...

Authors: J. L. Cant, P. A. Siratovich, J. W. Cole, M. C. Villeneuve and B. M. Kennedy

A numerical investigation of combined heat storage and extraction in deep geothermal reservoirs

Heat storage capabilities of deep sedimentary geothermal reservoirs are evaluated through numerical model simulations. We combine storage with heat extraction in a doublet well system when storage phases are r...

Authors: Márton Major, Søren Erbs Poulsen and Niels Balling

Effect of an 860-m thick, cold, freshwater aquifer on geothermal potential along the axis of the eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho

A 1912-m exploration corehole was drilled along the axis of the eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho. Two temperature logs run on the corehole display an obvious inflection point at about 960 m. Such behavior is i...

Authors: Thomas E. Lachmar, Thomas G. Freeman, Christopher J. Sant, Jeffrey R. Walker, Joseph F. Batir, John W. Shervais, James P. Evans, Dennis L. Nielson and David D. Blackwell

Analysis of geothermal energy as an alternative source for electricity in Colombia

Geothermal energy is the energy that is stored inside the earth and which may be used by man either directly (with no transformation) or to generate electricity by means of a geothermal power plant. This artic...

Authors: Samuel S. Salazar, Yecid Muñoz and Adalberto Ospino

Microstructural and petrophysical properties of the Permo-Triassic sandstones (Buntsandstein) from the Soultz-sous-Forêts geothermal site (France)

Geothermal projects in the Upper Rhine Graben aim to harness thermal anomalies that have arisen due to hydrothermal circulation within the granitic basement and the overlying Permo-Triassic sedimentary units. ...

Authors: Michael J. Heap, Alexandra R. L. Kushnir, H. Albert Gilg, Fabian B. Wadsworth, Thierry Reuschlé and Patrick Baud

The element-release mechanisms of two pyrite-bearing siliciclastic rocks from the North German Basin at temperatures up to 90 °C under oxic and anoxic conditions

Leaching tests with synthetic brines (25 g/L NaCl) between 25 °C and 90 °C were performed under oxic and anoxic conditions over 7 days on two pyrite-bearing siliciclastic rocks from the Lower Jurassic Hettangi...

Authors: Daniel Richard Müller and Simona Regenspurg

Predictability of properties of a fractured geothermal reservoir: the opportunities and limitations of an outcrop analogue study

Minimizing exploration risk in deep geothermics is of great economic importance. Especially, knowledge about temperature and permeability of the reservoir is essential. We test the potential of an outcrop anal...

Authors: Johanna F. Bauer, Michael Krumbholz, Silke Meier and David C. Tanner

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

After publication of the article (Orywall et al. 2017), it has been brought to our attention that there are a number of errors. The authors have listed them below.

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

Numerical analysis for ground temperature variation

This paper aims to predict ground temperature variation with depth for time variant ambient air temperature and solar radiation data for Jamshedpur, India. Finite difference method has been used to discretise ...

Authors: Raviranjan Kumar Singh and Ram Vinoy Sharma

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