Energy geotechnology

Abstract

Energy consumption is closely correlated with quality of life. A 1% annual increase in power production is required to sustain current trends, and a 2% annual increase will be needed to satisfy anticipated growth in the developing world. On average, 85% of all primary energy comes from fossil fuels; this carbon-based economy faces limitations in reserves and climate-change implications. Energy Geotechnology must play a central role in the development of a sustainable energy strategy. Geotechnology is intimately involved in all energy resources, including fossil fuels (petroleum gas and coal), nuclear energy, and renewable sources (wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, biofuels, and tidal energy). While wind and solar energy are surface processes that require limited geotechnical engineering, subsurface geo-storage is a viable alternative to bridge the time-gap between production and demand peaks. Geotechnical engineering is required to manage energy-related waste, ranging from fly ash to CO 2 emissions and nuclear waste. Furthermore, geotechnical engineering can contribute to geo-environmental remediation, the design of new facilities in view of life-cycle needs and decommissioning, and geotechnical construction methods that reduce the embodied energy in infrastructure projects. Education programs must be restructured to prepare the next generation of geotechnical engineers to address the needs in the energy sector.

Key issues in environmental geotechnics: Australia–New Zealand

“…impacts of an ever-growing human presence on the planet has become inextricably linked with finding renewable energy sources with low GHG emissions, particularly in Australia whose 'carbon footprint' per capita is one of the largest in the world mainly because of the use and export of coal. Table 1 summarises all energy resources including fossil fuels, renewable and nuclear sources, together with some of the issues where geotechnical expertise is needed (Santamarina and Cho, 2011). There is no unique solution to reduce GHG emissions, but a combination of measures is needed, including the use of alternative, renewable and sustainable energy sources.…”

Finite element modelling of an energy-geomembrane underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage system

“…Different scales and principle energy storage technologies are commonly used or are in development, e.g. shallow and deep geothermal energy storage systems [2,3,4], electrical energy storage systems, the transformation of energy (Power-to-Gas), and mechanical energy storage systems (compressed air reservoirs, pumped hydro reservoirs) [5]. Some of these systems are technically demanding.…”

Modelling suction instabilities in soils at varying degrees of saturation

“…In this context, significant threats come from the deterioration of the climate to a point that vast communities are exposed to growing risks of extreme events [2]. To address such crises, a key role is played by geotechnologies [3], i.e. interventions on near-surface and/or underground deposits for the purpose of environmental remediation (e.g., disposal of CO 2 and hazardous wastes) and risk management (e.g., protection of cities and/or coastal areas from sea level rise and other geohazards).…”