Feasibility Study of Carbon Dioxide Plume Geothermal Systems in Germany−Utilising Carbon Dioxide for Energy

Kevin Mcdonnell,Mary Harty,Levente Molnár,Fionnuala Murphy

doi:10.3390/en13102416

Kevin Mcdonnell, Mary Harty + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en13102416

Copy DOI

Journal: Energies	Publication Date: May 12, 2020
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University College Dublin, Novartis (Ireland)

Abstract

To manage greenhouse gas emissions, directives on renewable energy usage have been developed by the European Commission with the objective to reduce overall emissions by 40% by 2030 which presents a significant potential for renewable energy sources. At the same time, it is a challenge for these energy technologies which can only be solved by integrated solutions. Carbon capture and storage combined with geothermal energy could serve as a novel approach to reduce CO2 emissions and at the same time facilitate some of the negative impacts associated with fossil fuel-based power plants. This study focuses on the technical and economic feasibility of combining these technologies based on a published model, data and market research. In the European Union, Germany is the most energy intensive country, and it also has an untapped potential for geothermal energy in the northern as well as the western regions. The CO2 plume geothermal system using supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid can be utilized in natural high porosity (10–20%) and permeability (2.5 × 10−14–8.4 × 10−16 m2) reservoirs with temperatures as low as 65.8 °C. The feasibility of the project was assessed based on market conditions and policy support in Germany as well as the geologic background of sandstone reservoirs near industrialized areas (Dortmund, Frankfurt) and the possibility of carbon capture integration and CO2 injection. The levelized cost of electricity for a base case results in € 0.060/kWh. Optimal system type was assessed in a system optimization model. The project has a potential to supply 6600/12000 households with clean energy (electricity/heat) and sequester carbon dioxide at the same time. A trading scheme for carbon dioxide further expands potential opportunities.

Highlights

With an increasing concern about global warming, incentives [1,2] have been introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The goal of this study is to investigate the possibility of using the CO2 plume geothermal system in Germany, and to assess the economic feasibility of energy generation and the amount of carbon dioxide sequestration
The objective of this paper was to investigate the feasibility of deploying the CO2 plume geothermal (CPG) technology in Germany

Summary

Introduction

With an increasing concern about global warming, incentives [1,2] have been introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the European Union, Directive 2012/27/EU [1] sets target goals by 2020 to increase the share of renewable energy systems by 20% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%. Continuing progress is needed as by 2030 emission levels should be reduced by 40% and the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption should reach at least 27% [2]. Germany is the biggest energy consumer, while only producing half of its energy needs (Figure 1 [4]). The industry and the public sector are currently dependent on coal power plants, nuclear energy and various fossil fuel (including natural gas) resources. The discrepancy in Energies 2020, 13, 2416; doi:10.3390/en13102416 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

Objectives

Results

Conclusion