European Energy Research Alliance

Developments in the Joint Programmme on Geothermal Energy*

*based on a commitment of 25 European institutes from 11 countries with 350 scientists

Ernst Huenges

JP CoordinatorHelmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ

www.eera-set.eu

JointProgrammeGeothermalEnergy

Ernst Huenges Developments in the EERA JPGE 18th of June 2012, Brussels

Hurter

& Schellschmidt

2003

EU: temperature at 2000 m depth

Since 1904, Tuscany/Italy, today ~ 900 MWelconventional geothermal power productionSince 2010 EGS plant in operation; Soultz sous Forets,

FranceIcelandic deep drilling; magmatic conditions, ongoing testing 2011/2012

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JointProgrammeGeothermalEnergy

Ernst Huenges Developments in the EERA JPGE 18th of June 2012, Brussels

hydrothermal systems

petrothermal systems

high ……………..……natural permeability …….……………… low

hydraulic, chemical or thermal stimulation

• The EGS concept includes artificial improvement of the hydraulic performance of a reservoir with the goal to use it for an economical provision of heat or electric energy

• The enhancement challenge is based on several non-conventional methods for exploring, developing and exploiting geothermal resources that are not economically viable by conventional methods

• Enhanced vs Engineered

1) Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS)

Main research topics: GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

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JointProgrammeGeothermalEnergy

Ernst Huenges Developments in the EERA JPGE 18th of June 2012, Brussels

1) EGS: Demonstration of reliability

issues to be addressed• Upscaling from small units to 10+ MWe

=> increase flow rate!• Mitigation of induced seismicity

Main research topics: GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Topic goalprovision of heat and

power from geothermal reservoirs in Europe

and worldwideindependent of site

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JointProgrammeGeothermalEnergy

Ernst Huenges Developments in the EERA JPGE 18th of June 2012, Brussels

Main research topics: GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

2) Conventional geothermal power plants – environmental requirements

At the beginning: power production with release of brine and steam

brine injection steam injection = ongoing development

next: zero-emission geothermal power plant

Turbine       Generator

Cooling

System

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JointProgrammeGeothermalEnergy

Ernst Huenges Developments in the EERA JPGE 18th of June 2012, Brussels

2) Zero-emission power plants / total re-injection

will increase• Public acceptance• Sustainability: environmental, reservoir performance

=> economics

requires

• Research across several disciplines• Cooperation with key industry partners

Main research topics: GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Topic goalshort term increase of

conventional geothermal power

provision (from 2- >10 GW) fulfilling all environmental

constraints

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JointProgrammeGeothermalEnergy

Ernst Huenges Developments in the EERA JPGE 18th of June 2012, Brussels

Main research topics: GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

DRILLING TO MAGMA IN ICELAND

Surface Geophysics shows magma body at 4-5 km depth

All micro-earthquakes occur above magma body

Drilling hit magma at 2.1 km depth

Need for more accurate exploration methods

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JointProgrammeGeothermalEnergy

Ernst Huenges Developments in the EERA JPGE 18th of June 2012, Brussels

3) Development of reservoirs with supercritical fluids (fluids in the thermodynamic area above the critical temperature and pressure)

will increase• Energy output per well• Contribution of geothermal energy to total electricity

production => economics

requires• Major research (+funding)

across several disciplines• Cooperation with key industry partners

Main research topics: GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Topic goal

development of > 1 magnitude higher

productive geothermal systems per well

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JointProgrammeGeothermalEnergy

Ernst Huenges Developments in the EERA JPGE 18th of June 2012, Brussels

Overall goalDevelopment of new

cost-effective technologies suitable for a sustainable

growth of geothermal energy in Europe and

worldwide

GENERAL STRUCTURE OF JPGE

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JointProgrammeGeothermalEnergy

Ernst Huenges Developments in the EERA JPGE 18th of June 2012, Brusselswww.eera-set.eu

Thank you for your attentionProgramme Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Ernst Huenges

International Center for Geothermal Research atHelmholtz Center Potsdam GFZ

D-14473 Potsdam(huenges@gfz-potsdam.de)

Dr. David BruhnJPGE Programme Officedbruhn@gfz-potsdam.de

Scientific Secretary:Dr. Isabella Nardini

Centre of Excellence for Geothermal Energy - LarderelloLarderello (PI), Italy(nardini.i@cegl.it)