Geothermal energy in deep aquifers

Geothermal energy in deep aquifers: A global assessment of the resource base for direct heat utilization

Limberger, Jon (Universiteit Utrecht)
Boxem, Thijs (TNO)
Pluymaekers, Maarten (TNO)
Bruhn, D.F. (TU Delft Reservoir Engineering; Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences)
Manzella, Adele (National Research Council)
Calcagno, Philippe (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM))
Beekman, Fred (Universiteit Utrecht)
Cloetingh, S.A.P.L. (Universiteit Utrecht)
van Wees, Jan Diederik (Universiteit Utrecht; TNO)

2018-02-01

In this paper we present results of a global resource assessment for geothermal energy within deep aquifers for direct heat utilization. Greenhouse heating, spatial heating, and spatial cooling are considered in this assessment. We derive subsurface temperatures from geophysical data and apply a volumetric heat-in-place method to improve current global geothermal resource base estimates for direct heat applications. The amount of thermal energy stored within aquifers depends on the Earth's heat flow, aquifer volume, and thermal properties. We assess the thermal energy available by estimating subsurface temperatures up to a depth of three kilometer depending on aquifer thickness. The distribution of geothermal resources is displayed in a series of maps and the depth of the minimum production temperature is used as an indicator of performance and technical feasibility. Suitable aquifers underlay 16% of the Earth's land surface and store an estimated 4·10⁵ to 5·10⁶ EJ that could theoretically be used for direct heat applications. Even with a conservative recovery factor of 1% and an assumed lifetime of 30 years, the annual recoverable geothermal energy is in the same order as the world final energy consumption of 363.5 EJ yr⁻¹. Although the amount of geothermal energy stored in aquifers is vast, geothermal direct heat applications are currently underdeveloped with less than one thousandth of their technical potential used.

Direct heat utilization
Geothermal energy
Global resources
Heat flow
Heat in place

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1c8e9d67-84ca-4c9a-ad26-b76ab254c754

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.09.084

1364-0321

Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 961-975

Institutional Repository

review

© 2018 Jon Limberger, Thijs Boxem, Maarten Pluymaekers, D.F. Bruhn, Adele Manzella, Philippe Calcagno, Fred Beekman, S.A.P.L. Cloetingh, Jan Diederik van Wees