Intermediate grade geothermal energy

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The Enhanced geothermal energy (EGS) is an abundant, low-carbon base-load energy source that does not require high temperature gradient or heat source (intermediate-grade geothermal energy). This heat can be extracted by using the contemporary innovative drilling technology. By drilling deep into the ground, HDR EGS can enable access to an even larger scale heat resource in most parts of the planet. The potential for EGS is vast - a recent Massachusetts Institute of Technology report estimated that 2% of the heat below the continental United States could provide 2,500 times the country's total annual energy use (MIT, 2006). The research project will consist of a numerical approach using the finite element method to perform a fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical finite element analysis to investigate the strain, stress and displacement field. The research activities will include the assessment of different parameters and their effects on induced seismicity. The numerical model will be developed in the first four months and the results will be generated in the next two months. This research venture is a first time collaboration between the geotechnical engineering company Borealis Geopower and Dr. Dipanjan Basu from University of Waterloo. Borealis Geopower will directly participate in the research by providing input parameters and values of subsurface properties based on their experience in exploring the Canadian subsurface. This research project will benefit Borealis Geopower in enhancing their operational expertise in intermediate grade geothermal energy systems. Borealis will have frequent meetings with the Waterloo research team and spend technical time to discuss the simulation results. This proposed research will lay a solid foundation for the economical/technical analysis of intermediate geothermal electricity systems in Canada.