Advances in Geothermal Engineering

Geothermal energy has a significant role to play in the energy transition towards a low-carbon economy. It has the potential to supply electricity and/or heat to homes, businesses, and industries, thereby reducing dependency on fossil fuels. One of the main advantages of geothermal energy is its reliability and stability. Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal energy can provide a constant and consistent supply of power, making it an ideal source of baseload power for the grid. Additionally, most geothermal energy projects do not produce any greenhouse gas emissions, which makes it a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy.

One of the primary challenges in the engineering of geothermal energy is the limited information available about the reservoirs. Unlike conventional energy sources, such as oil and gas, the study of geothermal reservoirs is much more limited and their properties are often not well characterized. This can make it difficult to accurately predict the potential output of a geothermal project and to design an optimal production strategy. Another challenge is the high level of uncertainty in the properties and structure of geothermal reservoirs. The properties of these reservoirs, such as porosity, permeability and thermal rock characteristics have significant spatial variation. This can make it difficult to develop deterministic models for predicting reservoir behavior and performance.

The physical mechanisms involved in geothermal energy production are also complex, and they require a deep understanding of rock mechanics, thermodynamics, chemistry, and fluid flow. This includes understanding the behavior of fluids and gases under high temperatures and pressures, as well as the interaction between these fluids and the rock formations in the reservoir. In addition to these technical challenges, the engineering of geothermal energy also poses significant technological and economic risks. Geothermal projects require substantial upfront investment, and there is a high level of uncertainty surrounding their potential profitability. Moreover, the high cost of drilling and constructing geothermal wells, as well as the risk of encountering unexpected geological formations, can make geothermal projects financially challenging.

In this topical collection, we will focus on new engineering solutions in the use of geothermal energy. It will provide an overview of advanced monitoring techniques aimed at decreasing uncertainties in the characterization and structure of geothermal reservoirs. We will examine the latest engineering solutions and optimization techniques for energy production from these reservoirs, utilizing modern simulation technologies and approaches. Further attention will be given to uncertainty characterization and reduction as well as evaluation of economic and environmental risks including the prevention and control of induced seismicity. We review successes and failures in industrial geothermal projects and outline modern best practices in the development of geothermal resources. Moreover, we will introduce novel methodologies for techno-economic and energy analysis of diverse geothermal systems.

Keywords: Geothermal energy production, enhanced geothermal systems, high-enthalpy systems, direct heat use, heat exchange, geothermal modeling