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Sustainable Sizing of Geothermal Power Plants: Appropriate Potential Assessment Methods

Author

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  • Alessandro Franco

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Constructions Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy)

  • Maurizio Vaccaro

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Constructions Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

The paper analyzes the problem of defining the potential of geothermal reservoirs and the definition of a sustainable size of a geothermal power plant in the preliminary design phase. While defining the size of a geothermal plant, the objective is to find a compromise between renewability, technical sustainability, and economic return-related issues. In the first part of the paper the simplified lumped parameter approach based on the First-Order methods and their further evolutions and limitations is proposed. Experimental data available for some geothermal reservoirs are used for critical analysis of the simplified approaches for estimating the renewability and sustainability of the production of geothermal plants. In the second part the authors analyze methods based on theoretical heat transfer analysis supported by experimental data acquired from the geothermal field (thermal properties of the rock, porosity of the reservoir, and natural heat flux) and finally consider the numerical simulation as a method to connect the two approaches discussed before. The sustainability of geothermal power production can be estimated taking into account the energy stored in the reservoir and the thermal and fluid dynamic analysis of the reservoir. From this perspective, the numerical simulation of the reservoir can be considered as an effective method for the estimation of a sustainable mass flow rate extraction. Some specific cases are analyzed and discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Franco & Maurizio Vaccaro, 2020. "Sustainable Sizing of Geothermal Power Plants: Appropriate Potential Assessment Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:9:p:3844-:d:355442
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hähnlein, Stefanie & Bayer, Peter & Ferguson, Grant & Blum, Philipp, 2013. "Sustainability and policy for the thermal use of shallow geothermal energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 914-925.
    2. Bayer, Peter & Rybach, Ladislaus & Blum, Philipp & Brauchler, Ralf, 2013. "Review on life cycle environmental effects of geothermal power generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 446-463.
    3. Varney, Josephine & Zarrouk, Sadiq J. & Bean, Nigel & Bendall, Betina, 2017. "Performance measures in geothermal power developements," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 835-844.
    4. Franco, Alessandro & Vaccaro, Maurizio, 2014. "Numerical simulation of geothermal reservoirs for the sustainable design of energy plants: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 987-1002.
    5. Zheng, Bobo & Xu, Jiuping & Ni, Ting & Li, Meihui, 2015. "Geothermal energy utilization trends from a technological paradigm perspective," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 430-441.
    6. Franco, Alessandro & Vaccaro, Maurizio, 2012. "An integrated “Reservoir-Plant” strategy for a sustainable and efficient use of geothermal resources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 299-310.
    7. Shortall, Ruth & Davidsdottir, Brynhildur & Axelsson, Guðni, 2015. "A sustainability assessment framework for geothermal energy projects: Development in Iceland, New Zealand and Kenya," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 372-407.
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    Cited by:

    1. Duggal, R. & Rayudu, R. & Hinkley, J. & Burnell, J. & Wieland, C. & Keim, M., 2022. "A comprehensive review of energy extraction from low-temperature geothermal resources in hydrocarbon fields," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    2. Renato Somma & Daniela Blessent & Jasmin Raymond & Madeline Constance & Lucy Cotton & Giuseppe De Natale & Alessandro Fedele & Maria Jose Jurado & Kirsten Marcia & Mafalda Miranda & Claudia Troise & T, 2021. "Review of Recent Drilling Projects in Unconventional Geothermal Resources at Campi Flegrei Caldera, Cornubian Batholith, and Williston Sedimentary Basin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-23, June.
    3. Alejandro García-Gil & Miguel Mejías Moreno & Eduardo Garrido Schneider & Miguel Ángel Marazuela & Corinna Abesser & Jesús Mateo Lázaro & José Ángel Sánchez Navarro, 2020. "Nested Shallow Geothermal Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-13, June.
    4. Michal Vokurka & Antonín Kunz, 2022. "Case Study of Using the Geothermal Potential of Mine Water for Central District Heating—The Rožná Deposit, Czech Republic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-20, February.

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