Harnessing Geothermal Energy in Europe: Online event

Use of geothermal energy in Europe is slowly ramping up, years after years. The energy transition context and of course the recent dramatic changes in the local geopolitics landscape have created a urge to rethink European Energy mix at continental scale. Vast geothermal resources remain almost unexploited up to present days and appear to be part of the solution. However, to unlock these resources and exploit them safely, new innovative technologies are needed to improve resource assessment (data acquisition and processing), development and end utilization (electricity production, heat storage, direct heat supply, mineral extraction such as lithium).

Development of advanced geothermal systems also plays a significant role to allow fit for purpose geothermal solutions, answering specific needs while exploiting advantages available locally (old wells from oil and gas, abandoned mines, geology context,...). To achieve economically viable projects, geothermal systems are also being refined to improve their efficiency while reducing their production costs with new materials used in their conception.

Our invited speakers will give you an overview of the ongoing efforts to improve practices for more reliable resources assessment, optimal use of local infrastructures for geothermal systems implementation (heating and cooling systems) but also development of brand new geothermal systems.

Speakers

Edgar Fernandez Acevedo (VITO)

Yuliia Demchuk (NGO Geothermal Ukrain)

Clara Duverger (Lithium de France)

Pierre-Henri Roche (Lithium de France)

Andy Wood (Primeval Energy)

Agenda

Geophysical exploration in northern Alsace within the framework of a geothermal and lithium extraction project – Part 1: a multiphysics approach

by Pierre-Henri Roche, Geophysicist at Lithium de France

Part I of this two-voice talk will start with a presentation of the area of interest and the vintage data initially available before our exploration. Then, the various geophysical methods used for exploration will be detailed with a strong focus on 3D land seismic surveys and how the acquisition strategy was improved since our first survey in 2022 as we explored areas with different environments: urban, farmland and woodland areas. Other approaches like Control Source ElectroMagnetism and gradient wells were also carried out in order to gather information for joint inversion work to come. State-of-the-art imaging is key when dealing with subsurface resource exploration as wells trajectory relies on it, but it is also of utmost importance to understand faults orientation and assess seismic hazard. General exploration is the first step to design an effective seismic monitoring network which will be presented in Part II of this talk.

Geophysical exploration in northern Alsace within the framework of a geothermal and lithium extraction project – Part 2: setting up a seismological monitoring network, a French case study

by Clara Duverger, PhD Seismologist, at Lithium de France

It has been proven that certain human activities, such as deep geothermal energy production, can generate or trigger earthquakes. This seismic hazard must be considered by geothermal operators, especially in tectonically active areas, to better understand natural phenomena likely to be activated and minimise their probability and intensity. Controlling the seismic risk involves implementing a microseismic monitoring system and fine-tuning the management of reservoir stress. Part 2 will address the different stages involved in designing and setting up a permanent network of monitoring stations to optimise our observations based on specific targets at depths and surface constraints, while complying with the French authorities’ recommendations. Within this framework, passive seismic acquisitions for both environmental noise measurements and preliminary velocity model estimation were carried out.

Geothermal Ukraine: From Resources to Resilience in the Energy Sector

by Yuliia Demchuk, Board Member of NGO Geothermal Ukrain

The talk will start with an overview of Ukraine's energy sector, highlighting the role and potential of geothermal energy. Yuliia will provide insights into Ukraine's geothermal landscape, covering key geothermal resources, the most promising areas and the sector's current status. With a favorable geotemperature conditions, Ukraine has substantial geothermal resources, including high-temperature reservoirs, geothermal springs and shallow aquifers, predominantly in its oil- and gas-bearing regions. The presentation will also feature ongoing projects, exploring how innovative technologies and approaches canenable Ukraine to harness its geothermal resources, diversify its energy mix and ensure energy security.

Methodology and modelling approaches for assessing the potential of flooded abandoned mines to be used for production and storage of geothermal energy to feed Heating-Cooling Networks – example of the Liège case study in Belgium

by Edgar Fernandez Acevedo, researcher at VITO

Mines are usually flooded with large volumes of water after abandonment making them a hydrological and geothermal asset. At locations where urban areas developed directly above or near these abandoned mines, their coupling with new generation of heating and cooling networks matches perfectly. These mines can indeed be used as a primary energy source of heat or cold or as a medium for storing the excess thermal energy coming from these networks. The methodology for assessing the thermal potential of these abandoned mines and its adequation with the surface thermal energy demand and potential customers is presented here using as an example the case study of a potential site located in Liège, Belgium. The approaches used for mine network characterization and for thermal-hydraulic ‘TH’ modeling are discussed. For the latter, fast 1D pipe network and fully physical 3D TH modeling approaches are explored. These approaches allow to understand the role of the different features of the mine system (galleries, shaft, panels and surrounding permeable and non-permeable rock) and are essential for defining well locations and forecasting long term thermal performance of the system. Finally, the main challenges to consider when studying and developing these thermal systems are presented and analyzed.

Geothermal Energy - Practical Solutions

by Andy Wood, CEO of Primeval Energy

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Event Venue

Online