Closed-loop geothermal
Overview
Closed-loop geothermal systems, sometimes colloquially referred to as Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS), are a type of engineered geothermal energy system containing subsurface working fluid that is heated in a hot rock reservoir without direct contact with rock pores and fractures. Instead, the subsurface working fluid stays inside a closed loop of deeply buried pipes that conduct Earth’s heat.[1][2][3]
Like all geothermal systems, closed-loop geothermal systems provide renewable energy. Closed-loop geothermal plants primarily operate as baseload resources that produce energy at a constant rate. Unlike hydrothermal plants, closed-loop geothermal plants can be placed anywhere in the world, depending only on the depth of the hot rock resource.
Closed-loop geothermal projects are under development in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Germany.
Research and development
Closed-loop geothermal companies use a wide variety of engineered systems to produce geothermal energy. These systems primarily vary based on the length and geometry of the closed-loop wells placed subsurface, as well as the materials used in well construction and the working fluid used.
| Project Name | Country | State/Region | Year Start | Technology Provider(s) | Status | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J-NEC Method New Geothermal Power System | Japan | Kyushu & Okinawa Prefecture | 2016 | J-NEC, Kyoto University | Demonstration | [1] |
| Eavor-Lite | Canada | Alberta | 2019 | Eavor Technologies | Demonstration | [2] |
| Closed-Loop Geothermal Demonstration Project | United States | California | 2020 | GreenFire Energy | Demonstration | [3] |
| Advanced Closed Loop Pilot | Japan | Niseko | 2023 | Chevron Corporation, MOECO | Demonstration | [4] |
| Eavor-Loop Geretsried | Germany | Bavaria | 2024 | Eavor | Construction | [5] |
Advantages
The advantages of a deep, closed-loop geothermal circuit include: (1) no need for a geofluid, (2) no need for the hot rock to be permeable or porous, and (3) all the introduced working fluid can be recirculated with zero loss. These advantages mean closed-loop geothermal systems can be placed anywhere in the world as a source of Carbon-free and nuclear-free energy carbon-free, baseload energy, with no impact to natural water resources.
Hot dry rock (HDR)
Hot dry rock (HDR) is an abundant source of geothermal energy, but it is typically difficult to access. Hot, dry crystalline Basement (geology) rocks are found almost everywhere sufficiently far beneath the surface.[4]
Multiple deep hot dry rock wells have been drilled around the world, including the US, Japan, Australia, France, and the UK.[5] Whereas hydrothermal energy production can exploit already present hot fluids, HDR recovers heat from dry rock via the circulation of an artificially introduced working fluid. Ongoing efforts are underway to further develop and test technologies that can produce geothermal energy from hot dry rock, including Enhanced geothermal systems and Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems.[6]
References
- ↑ "Superhot Rock Energy Glossary". Clean Air Task Force. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ↑ "Next-Generation Geothermal Technologies Are Heating Up". BloombergNEF. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ↑ Matthews, Dylan (2023-09-13). "Is the future of energy ... pouring water on hot rocks in the ground?". Vox. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ↑ "Superhot Rock Energy: A Vision for Firm, Global Zero-Carbon Energy". Clean Air Task Force. November 2022.
- ↑ Ball, Philip. "Superhot Rock Project Map". Clean Air Task Force.
- ↑ Adler, Ben (11 January 2023). "Geothermal energy poised for boom, as U.S. looks to follow Iceland's lead". Yahoo News. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
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