Table of Contents
Hydrothermal Energy sources have common factors are water (hydro) and warmth (thermal). These geothermal reservoirs of steam occur naturally where magma comes close enough to the surface to heat spring water trapped in fractured or porous rocks, or where water circulates at great depth along faults.
WHAT ARE HYDROTHERMAL ENERGY SOURCES?
A geothermal resource requires fluid, heat, and permeability to urge electricity. Conventional hydrothermal resources contain all three components naturally.
The lack of ability to accurately predict temperature and permeability at depth from the surface may be a major explanation for exploration risk. Additionally, subsurface characterization and imaging are critical for the efficient utilization of all kinds of geothermal resources, including coldness and coproduced permeable sedimentary and enhanced geothermal systems. The Geothermal Technologies Officer is also keeping in mind reducing the operations and maintenance (O&M) costs of hydrothermal systems.
Exploration Research and Development Priorities In Hydrothermal Energy Sources
The Geothermal Technologies Officer conducted a technology needs assessment for produce geothermal energy by using various technologies in 2011, identifying areas of opportunity were to reduce up-front development risks and costs. The Office focuses R&D efforts in the following categories:
GEOPHYSICS
• Improved invasive measurement tools and techniques
• Improved next-generation geophysical airborne data
GEOLOGY
• Stress/strain data mapping
• Play Fairway Analysis
GEOCHEMISTRY
• Improved geochemical techniques
REMOTE SENSING
• Sensing data and reliable automated processing methods
CROSS-CUTTING
• Multi-disciplinary conceptual models
• 3-D modeling techniques (software)
• Case study samples of geothermal systems in several settings
EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIES
• Reduce the high level of exploration risk during the first stages of development
• Increase the economic viability of exploration technologies
• Foster useful data for the National Geothermal information system
Hydrothermal energy sources Utilization
Step 1: Exploration
In fact, in hydrothermal energy sources resource confirmation relies on drilling multi-million dollar wells in order that improving the prospect of success has an instantaneous bottom line impact. The GTO invests in hydrothermal technology to: develop innovative geophysical subsurface signals to raised characterize the subsurface before drilling.
More accurately identify potential geothermal resources through Play Fairway Analysis to supply critical information and techniques that successfully target exploration areas, improve the accuracy of prospect maps, increase the power to define resource extent; and, through exploration, resulting in better targeting which can cause the advancement of a better drilling success rate, decrease risk, and lower costs through the incorporation of more efficient oil and gas drilling techniques.
Step 2: Resource Characterization
Characterization methods utilize tools to help characterize resources. Geology, geophysics, remote sensing, geochemistry, and mixing and visualizing data will help accelerate the invention and utilization of undiscovered hydrothermal resources increasing exploration and confirmation well success rates.
Step 3: hydrothermal energy sources Verification
Once a possible resource is identified through exhaustive resource characterization efforts, the main target shifts towards developing an in-depth drilling plan where specific sites and methods are outlined. These plans often include the drilling of gradient wells, slim and/or core holes, and, finally, production wells. Well, costs approach 50% of the entire project cost for a geothermal project.
These costs also can be a big barrier to the widespread deployment of geothermal power production. The Department of Energy continues to take a position in advanced drilling technologies focused on increasing efficiency, decreasing drilling times and reducing overall well costs
