Integrated geothermal modeling on different scales in the Northeast German basin

Abstract

Geothermal modeling is an important part of large-scale basin studies. Based on a new 3D structural model of the Northeast German basin, the present day regional geothermal field is modeled. Range and regional trend of the modeled temperature values are in agreement with the published data. Due to the high spatial resolution, the calculated temperature distribution provides additional information with respect to areas where no measured data is available. The results are used as input and boundary parameters for small-scale models of geothermal energy production. In general, in many regions not enough data is available to define all necessary physical or chemical parameters for modeling. In this context, data obtained from the large-scale model help to constrain unknown parameters. Subsequently, the small-scale model is used to simulate various production schemes focusing on enhanced predictions with respect to the possible lifetime of such installations. The simulation results also show the need for elaborated models if reliable predictions of the temperature evolution are required.