Abstract
This meta-study draws upon previous research on both Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and traditional geothermal systems (GS), using these findings to compare and investigate the thermal efficiency of each system. Efficiency calculations include reservoir enthalpy, maximum drilling well temperature, power output (per unit mass of liquid) and mass flow rate of these systems to determine whether EGS’s are viable as an alternative, more readily available renewable energy source. This meta-study suggests that EGS are more viable than naturally occurring GS in the context of future geothermal energy production as they perform with a similar average efficiency of 10-15% and, in addition, can be used in a wider range of geothermal environments.
Highlights
Traditional geothermal energy originates from differential temperatures between the earths molten core and its crust
This report illustrates the potential for regional scale implementation of geothermal power when traditionally geothermal systems are large-scale state wide operations
Out of the 14 Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) investigated, only five had enough open access information to be included in this meta-study
Summary
Traditional geothermal energy originates from differential temperatures between the earths molten core and its crust. The most significant limitation with naturally occurring geothermal energy is in its lack of geographical versatility Power plants such as the Wairakei Power Station in New Zealand, for example, relied upon its ideal location above the ‘Taupo Volcanic Zone’ where energy could be captured from steam arising from subsurface heated water channels [1]. In this region, shallow crust magma supplies heat to large deposits of clay and alkali-chloride rich hot springs to produce recorded temperatures greater than 230°C [1]. For much of the world, geothermal power has been an impossibility, due to lack of the major hot water reservoirs that could supply enough energy for a system to have efficient operational outputs
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