Potential Sites for Underground Energy and CO2 Storage in Greece: A Geological and Petrological Approach

Abstract

Underground geological energy and CO2 storage contribute to mitigation of anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions and climate change effects. The present study aims to present specific underground energy and CO2 storage sites in Greece. Thermal capacity calculations from twenty-two studied aquifers (4 × 10−4–25 × 10−3 MJ) indicate that those of Mesohellenic Trough (Northwest Greece), Western Thessaloniki basin and Botsara flysch (Northwestern Greece) exhibit the best performance. Heat capacity was investigated in fourteen aquifers (throughout North and South Greece) and three abandoned mines of Central Greece. Results indicate that aquifers present higher average total heat energy values (up to ~6.05 × 106 MWh(th)), whereas abandoned mines present significantly higher average area heat energy contents (up to ~5.44 × 106 MWh(th)). Estimations indicate that the Sappes, Serres and Komotini aquifers could cover the space heating energy consumption of East Macedonia-Thrace region. Underground gas storage was investigated in eight aquifers, four gas fields and three evaporite sites. Results indicate that Prinos and South Kavala gas fields (North Greece) could cover the electricity needs of households in East Macedonia and Thrace regions. Hydrogen storage capacity of Corfu and Kefalonia islands is 53,200 MWh(e). These values could cover the electricity needs of 6770 households in the Ionian islands. Petrographical and mineralogical studies of sandstone samples from the Mesohellenic Trough and Volos basalts (Central Greece) indicate that they could serve as potential sites for CO2 storage.

Energy Storage Benefits Assessment Using Multiple-Choice Criteria: The Case of Drini River Cascade, Albania

“…CAES systems can reach lifetime cycles of up to 100,000 equivalent full cycles but with fairly poor depth of discharge potential. In Albania, many mines, caverns, and exploited gas wells can be used to store secondary energy in the form of compressed air [39], as shown in the schematic diagram in Figure 17.…”

Assessing Natural Gas Versus CO2 Potential Underground Storage Sites in Greece: A Pragmatic Approach †

“…Although the Pentalofos and Eptahori formations are considered as reservoirs and the overlying Tsotyli formation as a seal rock based on their characteristics [16], important downsides do exist. According to [17] these reservoir formations are turbidite fan delta deposits, with a net to gross (N/G) reaching 40% [18].…”

“…Many studies [15,16] have examined the MHT for its CO 2 storage potential. Pressure and temperature data, as well as formation depths, were provided in these studies, suggesting an area with high CO 2 storage potential.…”

Valorization of Slags Produced by Smelting of Metallurgical Dusts and Lateritic Ore Fines in Manufacturing of Slag Cements

“…Further to this, it is expected that cement production will vastly increase by within the next 20 years due to the increasing demand in cement from developing countries. Thus, solutions must be implemented to reduce CO 2 emissions because this it may likely put the Paris Agreement's global climate targets in jeopardy (e.g., [41,42]). The production of Portland cement leaves a notable carbon footprint due to the use of fossil fuels to create the necessary intense heating but more important, from the chemical decomposition of limestone that releases large amounts of CO 2 as a byproduct.…”