The potential of coupled carbon storage and geothermal extraction in a CO2-enhanced geothermal system: a review

Abstract

The increasing demand for energy makes it difficult to replace fossil fuels with low-carbon energy sources in the short term, and the large amount of CO2 emitted by fossil fuel combustion increases global warming. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies for reducing CO2 emissions in power plants and industrial processes have been developed. High costs and security issues limit industrial applications of these technologies, so an alternative for carbon reduction is needed, i.e., CO2 as a working fluid for coupled carbon storage and geothermal extraction in an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS). We describe the status of global carbon emissions, CCS technologies, and their challenges. The characteristics of CO2 as a working fluid are compared from thermophysical and thermodynamic perspectives, and the solubility of CO2 in reservoir fluids with different ionic strengths, pressures, and temperatures is analyzed. The influence of artificial stimulation on the permeability of an EGS reservoir is described. Through heat extraction experiment of water alternating supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) cycle injection, the effects of CO2–fluid–rock interactions on the reservoir’s structure and of mineral dissolution and precipitation on geological CO2 storage are analyzed. We summarize the application prospects for this alternative and the challenges of future application.

Sustainable Use of Petrothermal Resources—A Review of the Geological Conditions in Poland

“…Though in the initial testing phases and with little global precedence, it seems that such a system could revolutionize the energy market due to the simultaneous production of energy and the injection of CO 2 into geological formations. This process may also cause a number of problems, such as the escape of medium, carbon dioxide-rock interactions, and dissolution and precipitation of minerals, as indicated in the international literature [72,73]. It is important to note, however, that Poland has the geological potential for the use of petrothermal resources in enhanced geothermal systems, as is seen from the research conducted by the authors for the past 10 years.…”

“…Geological storage of CO 2 is a very complex technical process involving the selection of a storage site, a mechanism for capturing carbon dioxide by a geological reservoir, assessing the storage capacity of gas in the reservoirs and monitoring it after storage [71,72]. Similar difficulties are related to the implementation of projects to develop petrothermal resources.…”

Technologies and perspectives for achieving carbon neutrality

“…Geothermal energy is non-carbon-based heat energy contained in the interior of the Earth, with the advantages of stability, continuity, and high capacity. 85 It will play an important role in providing a stable and continuous basic load in the future energy structure.…”

A review of technologies for carbon capture, sequestration, and utilization: Cost, capacity, and technology readiness

“…Recently, researchers have investigated the possibility of combined CO 2 sequestration and geothermal energy recovery in aquifers 147 and sedimentary formations 148 . The review by Wu and Li 149 is focused on the coupled carbon storage and geothermal extraction in a CO 2 ‐enhanced geothermal system. In a case study, Xu et al ., 150 assessed the CO 2 sequestration potential of the Habanero geothermal field in Australia assess if scCO 2 is used as the working fluid.…”