Opportunity and challenges in large-scale geothermal energy exploitation in China

Large scale modelling of fractured reservoirs is a persistent problem in representing fluid flow in the subsurface. Considering a geothermal energy prospect beneath the Drenthe Aa area, we demonstrate application of a recently developed approach to efficiently predict fracture network geometry across an area of several square kilometres.Using a strain based method to mechanically model fracture nucleation and propagation, we generate a discretely modelled fracture network consisting of individual failure planes, opening parallel and perpendicular to the orientation of maximum and minimum strain. Fracture orientation, length and interactions vary following expected trends, forming a connected fracture network featuring population statistics and size distributions comparable to outcrop examples.Modelled fracture networks appear visually similar to natural fracture networks with spatial variation in fracture clustering and the dominance of major and minor fracture trends.Using a network topology approach, we demonstrate that the predicted fracture network shares greater geometric similarity with natural networks. Considering fluid flow through the model, we demonstrate that hydraulic conductivity and flow anisotropy are strongly dependent on the geometric connection of fracture sets.Modelling fracture evolution mechanically allows improved representation of geometric aspects of fracture networks to which fluid flow is particularly sensitive. This method enables rapid generation of discretely modelled fractures over large areas and extraction of suitable summary statistics for reservoir simulation. Visual similarity of the output models improves our ability to compare between our model and natural analogues to consider model validation.

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CONSTRUCTABILITY STUDY OF ASPHALT PAVEMENTS INCORPORATING SHALLOW GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction ◽

10.14455/isec.res.2018.14 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ali Zalghout ◽

Nooralhuda Saleh ◽

Samir Sari Ad Din ◽

Ghassan Chehab

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Geothermal Energy ◽

Large Scale ◽

Asphalt Pavement ◽

Permanent Deformation ◽

Electricity Production ◽

Asphalt Pavements ◽

Control Section ◽

Shallow Geothermal Energy ◽

And Performance

The incorporation of geothermal energy in heating and electricity production has rapidly increased during the last three decades. This paper focuses on the use of shallow geothermal energy in asphalt pavement, herein called Ground Coupled Hydronic Asphalt Pavement (GCHAP) system. GCHAP consists of a series of pipes embedded within the asphalt layer coupled with another network of pipes embedded in the soil. A circulating fluid acts to exchange the heat energy between the soil and the asphalt layer. The system can be used for cooling the pavement, which results in decreasing permanent deformation in the summer. This paper presents a study on the constructability and performance of such systems on a large-scale section. Numerical analyses and a pilot study were conducted to select the system design components. A 9.6 x 4 meter GCHAP section was constructed on a municipal road in addition to another control section. The secondary network of pipes was placed three meters below the ground. Sensors were embedded within the GCHAP system to record and compare the temperature of the pavement to that of the control section. The results showed that GCHAP section can decrease the pavement temperature leading to an increase in resistance to permanent deformation. Moreover, the constructability study showed the importance of performing a pilot study before constructing the system to ensure the resilience of the pipes.

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Thermal conditions for geothermal energy exploitation in the Transcarpathian depression and surrounding units

Contributions to Geophysics and Geodesy ◽

10.1515/congeo-2016-0003 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 33-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dušan Majcin ◽

Roman Kutas ◽

Dušan Bilčík ◽

Vladimír Bezák ◽

Ignat Korchagin

Keyword(s):

Temperature Field ◽

Heat Flow ◽

Field Distribution ◽

Geothermal Energy ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Flow Density ◽

Heat Flow Density ◽

Temperature Field Distribution ◽

Energy Exploitation

Abstract The contribution presents the results acquired both by direct cognitive geothermic methods and by modelling approaches of the lithosphere thermal state in the region of the Transcarpathian depression and surrounding units. The activities were aimed at the determination of the temperature field distribution and heat flow density distribution in the upper parts of the Earth’s crust within the studied area. Primary new terrestrial heat flow density map was constructed from values determined for boreholes, from their interpretations and from newest outcomes of geothermal modelling methods based on steady-state and transient approaches, and also from other recently gained geophysical and geological knowledge. Thereafter we constructed the maps of temperature field distribution for selected depth levels of up to 5000 m below the surface. For the construction we have used measured borehole temperature data, the interpolation and extrapolation methods, and the modelling results of the refraction effects and of the influences of source type anomalies. New maps and other geothermic data served for the determination of depths with rock temperatures suitable for energy utilization namely production of electric energy minimally by the binary cycles. Consequently the thermal conditions were used to identify the most perspective areas for geothermal energy exploitation in the region under study.

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Heat extraction of novel underground well pattern systems for geothermal energy exploitation

Renewable Energy ◽

10.1016/j.renene.2015.12.062 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 90 ◽

pp. 83-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Peixue Jiang ◽

Xiaolu Li ◽

Ruina Xu ◽

Fuzhen Zhang

Keyword(s):

Geothermal Energy ◽

Heat Extraction ◽

Well Pattern ◽

Energy Exploitation

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How to boost shallow geothermal energy exploitation in the adriatic area: the LEGEND project experience

Energy Policy ◽

10.1016/j.enpol.2016.01.041 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 92 ◽

pp. 190-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Tinti Francesco ◽

Pangallo Annamaria ◽

Berneschi Martina ◽

Tosoni Dario ◽

Rajver Dušan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Geothermal Energy ◽

Shallow Geothermal Energy ◽

Energy Exploitation

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Cross-Scale Linkages of Centralized Electricity Generation: Geothermal Development and Investor–Community Relations in Kenya

Politics and Governance ◽

10.17645/pag.v8i3.2981 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 211-222

Author(s):

Britta Klagge ◽

Clemens Greiner ◽

David Greven ◽

Chigozie Nweke-Eze

Keyword(s):

Geothermal Energy ◽

Electricity Generation ◽

Power Plants ◽

Large Scale ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Community Relations ◽

Resource Governance ◽

Natural Resource Governance ◽

Infrastructure Project ◽

Peripheral Areas

Based on a study of Kenya’s geothermal-energy development in Baringo-Silali, we explore how and with whom government actors and local communities in rural and peripheral areas interact when planning and implementing large-scale power plants. Starting from a comparison of decentralized and centralized energy systems, we demonstrate that the development of this large-scale infrastructure project and the associated investor-community relations are governed by various cross-scale linkages. To this end, we adapt the concept of cross-scale linkages from the literature on natural-resource governance to explore actors, rules, and practices at local, regional, national, and international levels.

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