Geothermal energy has become a focal point of the renewable energy revolution. Both shallow and deep types of geothermal energy have the potential to offset carbon emissions, reduce energy costs, and stimulate the economy. Before widespread geothermal exploration and exploitation can occur, both shallow and deep technologies require improvement by theoretical and experimental investigations. This thesis investigated one aspect of both shallow and deep geothermal energy technologies. First, a group of shallow geothermal energy piles was modeled numerically. The model was constructed, calibrated, and validated using available data collected from full-scale in-situ experimental energy piles. Following calibration, the model was parameterized to demonstrate the impact of construction specifications on energy pile performance and cross-sectional thermal stress distribution. The model confirmed the role of evenly spaced heat exchangers in optimal pile performance. Second, experimental methods were used to demonstrate the evolution of a fractured granite permeability as a function of mineral dissolution. Steady-state flow-through experiments were performed on artificially fractured granite cores constrained by 5 MPa pore pressure, 30 MPa confining pressure, and a 120°C temperature. Upstream pore pressures, effluent mineral concentrations, and X-Ray tomography confirmed the hypothesis that fracture asperities dissolve during the flow through experiment, resulting in fracture closure.

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source which has not yet had the same breakthrough as other renewables, e.g. solar PV and wind. There may still be some technical issues to be solved before geothermal can reach its full potential.One of these technical challenges concerns reinjection, i.e. the return of geothermal fluids back into the ground after surface energy extraction. In traditional geothermal energy utilization, hot geothermal fluid is brought up from underground reservoirs to the surface. Depending on the design of the power plant, the fluid can either be kept one-phased or get separated into two phases, i.e. hot steam and water. Hot steam, or vapor of another working fluid, is used to drive electricity generating turbines. Whether the condensate is returned back into to the ground after energy extraction, i.e. reinjected, is nowadays usually a matter of how rather than if. However, the magnitude and strategy varies in countries as well as for specific power plant operators.From a sustainable management perspective, the majority of operators as well as scientist agree that reinjection is the best way practice in order to take care of a resource and leave the smallest possible environmental footprint. However, it is a quite complicated and not always problem free operation. There are numerous examples where reinjection has led to complications such as scaling, induced seismicity and cooling of the reservoir. The purpose of this study was to describe the current status of geothermal reinjection from a neutral third-party perspective, e.g. by describing current obstacles and negative as well as positive outcomes. The aim is to conclude whether current technology is enough to successfully reinject, or if there are still some gaps of knowledge to fill. The method consists partly of a literature study of previously written technical reports but also of interviews with experts in the area. In addition, the study summarizes the legal framework regarding reinjection in some geothermal active countries, e.g. if it is required by law or not. Although currently technology is enough to do a fairly good job at reinjecting geothermal fluids, the result of the study also shows that there are still some technical barriers to overcome in order to fully optimize it. However, it remains the best currently known way to keep geothermal energy sustainable. Better technologies will be needed in order for geothermal to reach its fully green potential.

In this thesis anchoring systems for marine renewable energy devices are examined for an area of interest off the coast of Southeast Florida that contains both ocean current and thermal resources for future energy extraction. Bottom types observed during previous regional benthic surveys are compiled and anchor performance of each potential anchor type for the observed bottom types is compared. A baseline range of environmental conditions is created by combining local current measurements and offshore industry standards. Numerical simulations of single point moored marine hydrokinetic devices are created and used to extract anchor loading for two potential deployment locations, multiple mooring scopes, and turbine rotor diameters up to 50 m. This anchor loading data is used for preliminary anchor sizing of deadweight and driven plate anchors on both cohesionless and cohesive soils. Finally, the capabilities of drag embedment and pile anchors relevant to marine renewable energy devices are discussed. / by Michael Grant Seibert. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Cette thèse porte sur la méthode magnétique appliquée à l'exploration géophysique d'une zone à caractère géothermique. L'étude se concentre sur la zone volcanique de Basse-Terre, à l'Ouest de la Guadeloupe, dont les fractures, les fluides et les flux de chaleur engendrent un fort potentiel géothermique. Ainsi, le plan de la thèse suit le cours d'une étude magnétique complète, ce qui commence par la compréhension du contexte et des objets à considérer, autant d'un point de vue économique que géologique puis géophysique. S'ensuit un travail de collecte et de traitement des données magnétiques existantes, menant à la conception de nouvelles techniques d'acquisition ou de traitement pour répondre aux besoins spécifiques de la zone d’étude. Les techniques d’acquisition magnétique proposées, par drone (données onshore) ou par bateau (données offshore), permettent d’obtenir des données multi-altitudes haute résolution. Une fois les données obtenues et traitées, elles sont interprétées à différentes échelles en parallèle des connaissances géologiques existantes. Une méthodologie d'inversion spectrale est également proposée. Enfin, un rapprochement est opéré à partir de toutes les données géophysiques pouvant être obtenues : méthode magnétotellurique, électromagnétisme en domaine transitoire et gravimétrie. / This thesis focuses on the application of the magnetic method to the geophysical exploration of a geothermal area. The study area is located in the volcanic field of Basse-Terre, the westernmost island of Guadeloupe, where fractures, fluids and heat flows generate a high geothermal potential. Thus, this manuscript organization follows the course of an exhaustive magnetic study, which begins with the understanding of the considered context and objects, from the economic, geological and geophysical point of views. Then existing magnetic data are collected, leading to the design of new magnetic acquisition and processing methods to meet the specific constraints of the study area. The proposed acquisition techniques, carried by drone (for onshore data) or by boat (for offshore data), allow for high-resolution and multi-altitude surveys. Once the datasets are obtained and processed, they are interpreted at different scales alongside existing geological input. A spectral inverse problem resolution is also proposed. Finally, a comparison is carried out with all the other geophysical data that can be obtained: magnetotelluric method, transient electromagnetism and gravimetry.

Land loss in South Louisiana is increasing at a fairly rapid rate. In an effort to reduce land loss and save the marshes of Louisiana, marsh creation projects have been proposed in carefully selected regions around the coast as part of the CPRA Coastal Master Plan 2017. Properties and characteristics of the soil obtained from soil borings were analyzed and used to determine the various design parameters that allow the marsh creation process to occur. Other properties that were taken into consideration for Louisiana coastal sediment are the geothermal properties. This research analyses those different properties obtained from geotechnical reports from CPRA and other data bases, in order to find correlations between the different soil characteristics, specifically between the soil’s compressive strength, consolidation properties, Atterberg Limits and moisture content. Furthermore, this research also studies the geothermal properties of selected Louisiana soils and the correlation between moisture content and thermal conductivity.

In this research paper, review of world geothermal energy production and their capacity is shown. Here, a research is conducted to know the potential and possibility of geothermal energy in India. All the geothermal province with their geographical locations are shown and a brief calculation is conducted in order to show the potential of the particular province. As India is having the low temperature geothermal fields, binary geothermal plants are used for this analysis and results are calculated by using R134a as a working fluid at different temperatures. The results are sufficient to prove the potential of geothermal energy in India.  Importance of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) and power savings by its contribution over traditional heating and cooling methods is shown statistically. 9 different states of India are divided by their climatic condition, severe winter and moderate winter to calculate the heat demand in those states. Also, for the cold demands these states are considered to be same as per the climatic situation in summer. Then, comparison is done between GSHP and the traditional heating and cooling systems. The result shows the drastic power saving by using GSHP for space heating as well as cooling, over electric heater and air conditioner respectively.

Geothermal energy is an energy source with potential to supply mankind with both heat and electricity in nearly unlimited amounts. Despite this potential geothermal energy is not often considered in the general energy debate, often due to the perception that it is a margin energy source bound to a few locations with favorable geological conditions. Today, new technology and system concepts are under development with the potential to extract geothermal energy almost anywhere at commercial rates. The goal of these new technologies is the same, to harness the heat stored in the crystalline bedrock available all over the world at sufficient depth. To achieve this goal two major problems need to be solved: (1) access to the depths where the heat resource is located and (2) creation of heat transferring surfaces and fluid circulation paths for energy extraction. In this thesis a novel concept and method for both access and extraction of geothermal energy is investigated. The concept investigated is based on the earlier suggested idea of using a main access shaft instead of conventional surface drilling to access the geothermal resource, and the idea of using mechanically constructed 'artificial fractures' instead of the commonly used hydraulic fracturing process for creation of heat extraction systems. In this thesis a specific method for construction of such suggested mechanically constructed heat transfer surfaces is investigated. The method investigated is the use of diamond wire cutting technology, commonly used in stone quarries. To examine the concept two heat transfer models were created to represent the energy extraction system: an analytical model based on previous research and a numerical model developed in a finite element analysis software. The models were used to assess the energy production potential of the extraction system. To assess the construction cost two cost models were developed to represent the mechanical construction method. By comparison of the energy production potential results from the heat transfer models with the cost results from the construction models a basic assessment of the heat extraction system was made. The calculations presented in this thesis indicate that basic conditions for economic feasibility could exist for the investigated heat extraction system.

How to exploit and make use of natural gas hydrates in oceans will weigh much in the future researches. Unlike the oil or gas reservoirs, the distributions of natural gas hydrate are very complicated and don’t congregate massively in oceanic sediments. Besides, factors such as seafloor geohazards and climate must be taken into account, which makes it much more difficult and complicated to exploit oceanic gas hydrates than conventional oil or gas. Nowadays neither of such methods as thermal stimulation, depressurization, inhibitor injection, carbon dioxide replacement and mixing exploitation etc. is applied to exploit gas hydrates in marine sediments because of their disadvantages. This paper introduces a conception of combining solar and geothermal energy for gas hydrates exploitation. The model mainly includes five parts: solar energy transferring module, sea water circulating module, underground boiler module, platform and gas-liquid separating module. Solar cells and electric heaters are used to heat the formations containing hydrates. Because they become relatively more mature and cheaper, it’s the key of how to utilize the geothermy to exchange heat in developing this conception, which needs solution of fluid leakage, circulating passages and heat-exchange interface problems in building underground boiler. Probably it’s a feasible measure to use an effective hydraulic control system and hydraulic fracturing. The idea should be a good choice to exploit marine gas hydrates by combining solar and geothermal energy since this method has a great advantage either in terms of efficiency or cost.

Baigiamajame magistro darbe nagrinėjamas pastato, aprūpinimas šiluma šilumos siurbliu su šiluminiais poliais. Yra apžvelgtos esamos giliosios bei sekliosios geoterminės energijos panaudojimo panaudojimo galimybės Lietuvoje. Aprašytos prielaidos ir supaprastinimai šiluminių polių skaičiavimui, aprašytos skaičiavimo metodikos. Atlikti šiluminių polių skaičiavimai, naudojantis penkiomis metodikomis. Aprašytas pasirinktas pastatas, apskaičiuoti atitvarų šiluminiai rodikliai, nustatyta pastatui reikalinga šiluminė galia. Naudojantis „Design builder“ modeliavimo programa sukurtas pastato modelis ir apskaičiuoti pastato šilumos bei vėsos poreikiai metų laikotarpiu. Pagal nustatytus poreikius modeliavimo programa „EED“ sumodeliuoti šildymo vėsinimo ciklai dvidešimt penkeriems metams į priekį. Sistema palyginta su baziniu šilumos šaltiniu. Išnagrinėjus gautus rezultatus pateikiamos rekomendacijos bei baigiamojo darbo išvados. Darbą sudaro 11 dalių: įvadas, geoterminės energijos panaudojimo galimybės Lietuvoje, šilumos siurblių tipai, šiluminių polių skaičiavimo metodikos bei skaičiavimai, nagrinėjamo pastato aprašymas, pastato šiluminės galios skaičiavimas, pastato šilumos/vėsos poreikių modeliavimas „Design builder“ programa, šiluminių polių skaičiavimas „EED“ programa, nagrinėjamos sistemos palyginimas su baziniu šilumos šaltiniu, rekomendacijos, išvados ir literatūros sąrašas. Darbo apimtis 68 p. teksto be priedų, 49 iliustr., 16 lent., 29 literatūros šaltiniai. / The final master thesis presents analysis of heat supply to the building using a heat pump with energy piles. There is an overview of shallow and deep geothermal energy utilization current possibilities in Lithuania. The assumptions and simplifications of the calculation for the energy piles are described as well as the calculation methodology. Calculations of the energy piles are performed, using five methods. The chosen building is described, thermal performance of partitions are calculated and the building heating capacity is calculated. . Using the "Design Builder" building simulation program a model was generated and the calculations of annual heating and cooling demand are performed. According to the demand of building using simulation program "EED" heating /cooling cycles are calculated of twenty-five years ahead. The system was compared with the basic heat source. After analyzing all results conclusions are given. Thesis consists of 11 parts: introduction, overview of geothermal energy resources usage posibilities in Lithuania, types of heat pumps, calculation methods and calculations of energy piles, description of the building data, calculation of building heating system power, simulation of heat /cooling demand of the building with "Design Builder" program, calculation of energy piles with "EED" modeling program, Comparison of the system with the basic source of heat, recommendations, conclusions and references, Volume of the thesis 68 p. of the text... [to full text]

Hungary’s share of renewable energy in 2010 was 7.9 %, and their renewable energy goal for 2020 is 14.65 %. Geothermal energy is one option that could help to achieve the goal, since Hungary has favorable bedrock, the temperature gradient is above average and thepermeability is high. Today Hungary is importing just over half of its primary energy supply. Because of political conflicts between nations Hungary wants to expand its own production of energy. One of the major investments implemented was to build the largest geothermal heating plant in central Europe, located in Miskolc. This degree theses aims is to raise the capacity factor for this heating plant. To achieve this objective, a survey of how grain dryers and absorption chillers could increase the heat load in the summer has been performed. With grain dryers that only dries wheat, the capacity factor for the geothermal heating plant in Miskolc increased by 2.6 % and by 4.4 % for the absorption chiller. Although surveys have been carried out for a specific case the idea can be implemented in other heating plants. Keywords: Capacity factor, geothermal energy, wheat dryers and absorptions chiller.