Characteristics, development and utilization of geothermal resources – a Nordic perspective

Lund, John W.; Bjelm, Leif; Bloomquist, Gordon; Mortensen, Anette K.

doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2008/v31i1/019

Cited by 50 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(2 reference statements)

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“…Most of the research on rock mechanics is motivated by societal needs such as energy production, energy storage, and waste confinement, in which the permeability of the host rock plays a critical role. Performance, reliability and safety are the key issues in such geotechnical projects, related to oil and gas extraction , geothermal systems , pressurized gas storage , carbon dioxide sequestration or nuclear waste disposals . Permeability depends on the geometry of the connected porous network.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of damage on pore size distribution and permeability of rocks

Arson

Pereira

2012

Num Anal Meth Geomechanics

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International audienceThe model proposed in this article relates permeability to porosity measurements that can easily be performed in the laboratory. The pore size distribution (PSD) curve is updated with strains and damage. The updated volumetric fractions of natural pores and cracks are introduced in the expression of permeability. Contrary to classical permeability models based on PSD integrations, the model proposed in this article accounts for possible changes in the porosity modes: one mode for undamaged samples and two modes for cracked samples. The proposed approach also accounts for varying states of damage, as opposed to classical fracture network models, in which the cracks pattern is fixed. The only material parameters that are required to describe the microstructure are the lower and upper bounds of the pores size for both natural pores and cracks. All the other PSD parameters involved in the model are related to macroscopic parameters that can easily be determined in the laboratory, such as the initial void ratio. The framework proposed in this article can be used in any damage constitutive model to determine the permeability of a brittle porous medium. Drained triaxial compression tests have been simulated. Before cracks initiation, permeability decreases while the larger natural pores are getting squeezed. After the occurrence of damage, permeability grows due to the increase of cracks density. The model performs well to represent the influence of the confining pressure on damage evolution and permeability variations. © 2012 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of damage on pore size distribution and permeability of rocks

Arson

Pereira

2012

Num Anal Meth Geomechanics

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“…The maximum possible hydro capacity in Japan is about double the 2005 installed capacity [28]. Japan is located along the geologically active Pacific rim and has at least 535 MW of geothermal electric capacity [30]. Japan is located along the geologically active Pacific rim and has at least 535 MW of geothermal electric capacity [30].…”

Section: Electricity Generation Optionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Relative to technical and financial capabilities, geothermal development in Japan has been modest [29]. Japan is located along the geologically active Pacific rim and has at least 535 MW of geothermal electric capacity [30]. However, the geothermal resource potential could exceed 20 GW, which would enable large-scale expansion [31].…”

Section: Electricity Generation Optionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of post-Fukushima Japanese electricity strategies: A stochastic simulation model

Leibowicz

2014

Int. J. Energy Res.

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SUMMARY Japan has not settled on a coherent long‐term electricity strategy for its post‐Fukushima reality. In this analysis, a stochastic electricity sector simulation model is formulated and used to evaluate alternative strategies prescribing different generation mixes for 2050. The generation mix evolves deterministically, demand is endogenous, and social cost of carbon is randomly sampled. The model treats fossil fuel prices and advanced technology cost dynamics stochastically. Monte Carlo simulation produces a distribution of net present social cost for each strategy, and the alternatives are assessed based on the median (expected cost) and standard deviation (risk). Aggressively expanding renewables is a promising strategy; it has the lowest expected cost and moderate risk. Whether this is preferred to substantial nuclear generation is sensitive to parameter assumptions, but a general finding is robust: severely limiting nuclear generation and substituting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other fossil fuels is costly and risky. Principal component analysis confirms the vulnerability of such strategies to LNG price and social cost of carbon uncertainty. Japan's dominant short‐term response to Fukushima has been a dramatic decrease in nuclear generation coupled with increased use of fossil fuels, particularly LNG. This study suggests that continuing this approach would constitute a poor long‐term Japanese electricity strategy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…Facility heating and cooling is a possible area where geothermal systems can contribute worldwide to GHG reductions and sustainability. Geothermal energy is also not significantly affected by geopolitics [31,32] or demand, as it is theoretically possible to obtain some degree of geothermal energy anywhere on the globe [33].There are no commercial geothermal power plants in Canada, notwithstanding some parts of the country (e.g., British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan) having an appropriate potential for geothermal energy [34] from hot fluids. Several geothermal projects have been conducted in Canada [34]:A small-scale geothermal power plant (20 kW) at Meager Mountain in British Columbia; This project was not linked to the grid and has since been left in a predevelopment stage.…”

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Geothermal Energy for Sustainable Food Production in Canada’s Remote Northern Communities

et al. 2019

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The cold, remote, northern regions of Canada constitute a challenging environment for the provision of reliable energy and food supply to communities. A transition from fossil fuels to renewables-based sources of energy is one positive step in reducing the greenhouse gases from the energy supply system, which currently requires long-distance transport of diesel for electricity and heating needs. Geothermal energy can not only displace diesel for part of this energy need, it can provide a base-load source of local energy to support food production and mitigate adverse impacts of food insecurity on communities. In this proof-of-concept study, we highlight some potential benefits of using geothermal energy to serve Canada's northern communities. Specifically, we focus on food security and evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of producing vegetables in a "controlled environment", using ground sources of heat for energy requirements at three remote locations-Resolute Bay, Nunavut, as well as Moosonee and Pagwa in Ontario. The system is designed for geothermal district heating combined with efficient use of nutrients, water, and heat to yield a diverse crop of vegetables at an average cost up to 50% lower than the current cost of these vegetables delivered to Resolute Bay. The estimates of thermal energy requirements vary by location (e.g., they are in the range of 41 to 44 kW of thermal energy for a single greenhouse in Resolute Bay). To attain adequate system size to support the operation of such greenhouses, it is expected that up to 15% of the annually recommended servings of vegetables can be provided. Our comparative analysis of geothermal system capital costs shows significantly lower capital costs in Southern Ontario compared to Northern Canada-lower by one-third. Notwithstanding high capital costs, our study demonstrates the technical and economic feasibility of producing vegetables cost-effectively in the cold northern climate. This suggests that geothermal energy systems can supply the heat needed for greenhouse applications in remote northern regions, supplying a reliable and robust source of cost-competitive sustainable energy over the long-term and providing a basis for improved food security and economic empowerment of communities.Energies 2019, 12, 4058 2 of 25 and food insecurity, water scarcity, ocean pollution, and environmental threats, such as climate change, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and air pollution [3,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Limitations of nonrenewable energy sources such as oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium [2,15,16], including the high cost of exploration, exploitation, and transportation, as well as ancillary factors such as political issues [17], have resulted in concerns over energy. Additionally, burning fossil fuels for electricity generation, heating and cooling needs is deemed a major contributor to emissions of GHGs [3,[18][19][20][21][22][23].Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is a principal GHG agent, and new, long-residence CO 2 is...

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Characteristics, development and utilization of geothermal resources – a Nordic perspective

Cited by 50 publications

References 7 publications

Influence of damage on pore size distribution and permeability of rocks

Influence of damage on pore size distribution and permeability of rocks

Evaluation of post-Fukushima Japanese electricity strategies: A stochastic simulation model

Geothermal Energy for Sustainable Food Production in Canada’s Remote Northern Communities

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