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Geothermal Energy

From Theoretical Models to Exploration and Development

  • Presents a combination of theory and applied cases

  • Focuses on the geological context and geophysical and geochemical aspects of geothermal exploration

  • Unique book for lecturers and students alike

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Thermal Structure of the Earth

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 1-13
  3. History of Geothermal Energy Use

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 15-24
  4. Geothermal Energy Resources

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 25-33
  5. Applications of Geothermal Energy

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 35-60
  6. Potential Perspectives of Geothermal Energy Utilization

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 61-63
  7. Geothermal Probes

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 65-113
  8. Geothermal Well Systems

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 115-123
  9. Hydrothermal Systems, Geothermal Doublets

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 125-163
  10. Environmental Issues Related to Deep Geothermal Systems

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 183-202
  11. Drilling Techniques for Deep Wellbores

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 203-219
  12. Geophysical Methods, Exploration and Analysis

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 221-232
  13. Testing the Hydraulic Properties of the Drilled Formations

    • Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher
    Pages 233-253
  14. Back Matter

    Pages 279-291

About this book

The internal heat of the planet Earth represents an inexhaustible reservoir of thermal energy. This form of energy, known as geothermal energy has been utilized throughout human history in the form of hot water from hot springs. Modern utilization of geothermal energy includes direct use of the heat and its conversion to other forms of energy, mainly electricity. Geothermal energy is a form of renewable energy and its use is associated with very little or no CO2-emissions and its importance as an energy source has greatly increased as the effects of climate change become more prominent. Because of its inexhaustibility it is obvious that utilization of geothermal energy will become a cornerstone of future energy supplies. The exploration of geothermal resources has become an important topic of study as geology and earth science students prepare to meet the demands of a rapidly growing industry, which involves an increasing number professionals and public institutions participating in geothermal energy related projects. This book meets the demands of both groups of readers, students and professionals. Geothermal Energy and its utilization is systematically presented and contains the necessary technical information needed for developing and understanding geothermal energy projects. It presents basic knowledge on the Earth’s thermal regime and its geothermal energy resources, the types of geothermal energy used as well as its future potential and the perspectives of the industry. Specific chapters of the book deal with borehole heat exchangers and with the direct use of groundwater and thermal water in hydrogeothermal systems. A central topic are Enhanced Geothermal Systems (hot-dry-rock systems), a key technology for energy supply in the near future. Pre-drilling site investigations, drilling technology, well logging and hydraulic test programs are important subjects related to the exploration phase of developing Geothermal Energy sites. The chemical composition of the natural waters used as a heat transport medium in geothermal systems can be used as an exploration tool, but chemistry is also important during operation of a geothermal power plant because of potential scale formation and corrosion of pipes and installations, which needs to be prevented. Graduate students and professionals will find in depth information on Geothermal Energy, its exploration and utilization.

Reviews

Book: Petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks (Bucher & Frey) Springer-Verlag 2002 Customer reviews on Amazon.com one of the best textbooks available, 10. April 2000 Von Katharina Dubach Petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks is probable the best textbook available for students of metamorphic petrology. In a short, concise form it introduces the reader to the principles of metamorphic petrology as well as to the evolution of different rock types under changing metamorphic conditions.

Excellent source for anyone studying metamorphic rocks., 2. Juni 1999 Von Ein Kunde This book is divided into two sections. The first section deals with the basic princiles of metamorphism, including composition of source rocks, types, processes and condidtions of metamorphism. A very detailed description on the construction of metamorphic projections is also included. Part two covers the metamorphism of different rock compositions including ultramafic, mafic, carbonate, pelitic, and granitoid rocks. This section is very detailed, without bogging down with specific examples of metamorphism.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Ingrid Stober

  • University of Freiburg Mineralogy and Petrology, Freiburg, Germany

    Kurt Bucher

About the authors

Ingrid Stober: Studied Earth Sciences at the University of Freiburg (Germany). 1985 Ph.D. with the dissertation on “groundwater flow patterns in hard-rock aquifers, results from pumping- and injection-tests”. 1994 habilitation thesis on "hydrogeology of crystalline rocks of the Black Forest, Germany". She is working at the Geological Survey of Baden-Württemberg, with the responsibility for geothermal energy. Her research interests are geothermal waters and hydraulics.

 Kurt Bucher: Studied Geology at ETH Zurich (Switzerland). 1977 Ph.D. in metamorphic petrology. Assistant professor at the University of Basel (Switzerland), Professor of Geology at the University of Oslo (Norway) and is currently Full Professor of Mineralogy and Geochemistry at the University of Freiburg (Germany). His research is focused on field studies of water-rock interaction processes in deep geothermal systems.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Geothermal Energy

  • Book Subtitle: From Theoretical Models to Exploration and Development

  • Authors: Ingrid Stober, Kurt Bucher

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13352-7

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Energy, Energy (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-662-50193-1Published: 27 August 2016

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-642-13352-7Published: 03 December 2013

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: IX, 291

  • Number of Illustrations: 51 b/w illustrations, 69 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Renewable and Green Energy, Environmental Science and Engineering, Energy Systems

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access