Heat flow in the Garibaldi volcanic belt, a possible Canadian geothermal energy resource area

1981 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Lewis ◽  
Alan M. Jessop

The geothermal heat flow has been determined in four boreholes drilled within the area of the Garibaldi volcanic belt of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The program was designed to investigate a suspected geothermal reservoir and the surrounding area as part of a continuing program of the Canadian Federal Government to assess the geothermal energy potential in western Canada.The measurements, after application of corrections for sediment diffraction, topography, Pleistocene thermal history, and uplift and erosion, fall into two distinct catagories. Three of the measurements, at distances greater than 10 km from Mt. Meager, have a mean of 79 mW m−2 with a standard deviation of 10 mW m−2, and the single measurement near Mt. Meager indicates a heat flux of 132 mW m−2. All these measurements are suspect to a certain degree because of groundwater movement at and around the measurement sites. The three distant observations are similar to others in the Cordilleran thermal zone, whereas the result at Mt. Meager appears to be anomalous. This pattern suggests that near the Mt. Meager area heat is being transported by means other than simple thermal conduction, consistent with other studies that indicate the presence of a geothermal reservoir of unknown size.

2017 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Q.W. Jones

Abstract The crustal rocks of South Africa are generally regarded as too old and cold for utilisation of geothermal energy. However, demands for alternative energy and the introduction of new technology have instigated a number of research projects in this and surrounding countries. Higher than average heat flow and the occurrence of several thermal springs in the northern Limpopo Province suggest that this region is a potential target area. Geothermal measurements in the eastern part of the Province yield anomalously high rock temperatures, thermal gradients (up to 90 K/km) and heat flow (up to 200 mW m-2). The anomalies are attributed to deep-seated circulation of meteoric water that provides an effective mechanism for concentrating geothermal heat. Heat flow studies of this kind may reveal more extensive potential geothermal fields elsewhere in South Africa.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6103
Author(s):  
Jacek Majorowicz

Heat flow patterns variability related to the age of the consolidated, and differences in, sedimentary thickness of the sedimentary succession are important constraints upon the thermal state of the sedimentary fill and its geothermal energy potential. Heat flow in the Permian basin of central Europe varies from a low of 40 mWm−2 in the Precambrian Platform to 80 mWm−2 in the Paleozoic basement platform influencing temperature for geothermal potential drilling depth. Continuity of thermal patterns and compatibility of heat flow Q across the Permian basin across the Polish–German basin was known from heat flow data ever since the first heat flow map of Europe in 1979. Both Polish and German heat flow determinations used lab-measured thermal conductivity on cores. This is not the case for the recent heat flow map of Poland published in 2009 widely referenced in Polish geological literature. Significant differences in heat flow magnitude exist between many historical heat flow maps of Poland over the 1970s–1990s and recent 21st century patterns. We find that the differences in heat flow values of some 20–30 mWm−2 in Western Poland exist between heat flow maps using thermal conductivity models using well log interpreted mineral and porosity content and assigned world averages of rock and fluid thermal conductivity versus those measured on cores. These differences in heat flow are discussed in the context of resulting mantle heat flow and the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Boundary depth modelled differences and possible overestimates of deep thermal conditions for enhanced geothermal energy prospects in Poland.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
I. David ◽  
M. Visescu

Abstract Geothermal energy source is the heat from the Earth, which ranges from the shallow ground (the upper 100 m of the Earth) to the hot water and hot rock which is a few thousand meters beneath the Earth's surface. In both cases the so-called open systems for geothermal energy resource exploitation consist of a groundwater production well to supply heat energy and an injection well to return the cooled water, from the heat pump after the thermal energy transfer, in the underground. In the paper an analytical method for a rapid estimation of the ground water flow direction effect on the coupled production well and injection well system will be proposed. The method will be illustrated with solutions and images for representative flow directions respect to the axis of the production/injection well system.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4435
Author(s):  
Travis C. Douville ◽  
Dhruv Bhatnagar

The significant offshore wind energy potential of Oregon faces several challenges, including a power grid which was not developed for the purpose of transmitting energy from the ocean. The grid impacts of the energy resource are considered through the lenses of (i) resource complementarity with Variable Renewable Energy resources; (ii) correlations with load profiles from the four balancing authorities with territory in Oregon; and (iii) spatial value to regional and coastal grids as represented through a production cost model of the Western Interconnection. The capacity implications of the interactions between offshore wind and the historical east-to-west power flows of the region are discussed. The existing system is shown to accommodate more than two gigawatts of offshore wind interconnections with minimal curtailment. Through three gigawatts of interconnection, transmission flows indicate a reduction of coastal and statewide energy imports as well as minimal statewide energy exports.


Resources ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Stanislav Jacko ◽  
Roman Farkašovský ◽  
Igor Ďuriška ◽  
Barbora Ščerbáková ◽  
Kristína Bátorová

The Pannonian basin is a major geothermal heat system in Central Europe. Its peripheral basin, the East Slovakian basin, is an example of a geothermal structure with a linear, directed heat flow ranging from 90 to 100 mW/m2 from west to east. However, the use of the geothermal source is limited by several critical tectono-geologic factors: (a) Tectonics, and the associated disintegration of the aquifer block by multiple deformations during the pre-Paleogene, mainly Miocene, period. The main discontinuities of NW-SE and N-S direction negatively affect the permeability of the aquifer environment. For utilization, minor NE-SW dilatation open fractures are important, which have been developed by sinistral transtension on N–S faults and accelerated normal movements to the southeast. (b) Hydrogeologically, the geothermal structure is accommodated by three water types, namely, Na-HCO3 with 10.9 g·L−1 mineralization (in the north), the Ca-Mg-HCO3 with 0.5–4.5 g·L−1 mineralization (in the west), and Na-Cl water type containing 26.8–33.4 g·L−1 mineralization (in the southwest). The chemical composition of the water is influenced by the Middle Triassic dolomite aquifer, as well as by infiltration of saline solutions and meteoric waters along with open fractures/faults. (c) Geothermally anomalous heat flow of 123–129 °C with 170 L/s total flow near the Slanské vchy volcanic chain seems to be the perspective for heat production.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2691
Author(s):  
Nataša Ćuković Ignjatović ◽  
Ana Vranješ ◽  
Dušan Ignjatović ◽  
Dejan Milenić ◽  
Olivera Krunić

The study presented in this paper assessed the multidisciplinary approach of geothermal potential in the area of the most southeastern part of the Pannonian basin, focused on resources utilization. This study aims to present a method for the cascade use of geothermal energy as a source of thermal energy for space heating and cooling and as a resource for balneological purposes. Two particular sites were selected—one in a natural environment; the other within a small settlement. Geothermal resources come from different types of reservoirs having different temperatures and chemical compositions. At the first site, a geothermal spring with a temperature of 20.5 °C is considered for heat pump utilization, while at the second site, a geothermal well with a temperature of 54 °C is suitable for direct use. The calculated thermal power, which can be obtained from geothermal energy is in the range of 300 to 950 kW. The development concept was proposed with an architectural design to enable sustainable energy efficient development of wellness and spa/medical facilities that can be supported by local authorities. The resulting energy heating needs for different scenarios were 16–105 kW, which can be met in full by the use of geothermal energy.


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