A new study estimates as much as 40% of Bavaria’s energy needs can be supplied by geothermal energy.
much as 40% of the region’s energy needs can be supplied by geothermal energy stored deep in the earth. echXplore.com recently published a press release detailing the results of the study, commissioned by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, and executed by Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria, a local research association. researchers indicate high levels of geothermal energy stored up to 5km below the earth’s surface in southern Bavaria.
Indonesia is opening doors for low-risk geothermal project bids
he estimated 23.7GW of geothermal energy potential across 300+ sites spanning the country. eported in early December that a verified hotspot for geothermal energy on the eastern end of the island chain will soon be open for development bids, with more areas to follow.
Calgary-based lithium extraction company closes multi-million dollar funding round, highlighting Alberta’s next-generation energy industry
Summit Nanotech, an Albertan green tech organization founded in 2018 made headlines in the Calgary Herald recently after closing a second round of investment funding totaling $67 million. Chris Varcoe, a columnist covering all things Canadian energy for the Calgary Herald reported on the win for Summit Nanotech the same day the company announcement was made and interviewed CEO and founder Amanda Hall for the column.
International Geothermal Conference in Taiwan highlights next-generation green energy efforts
The country of Taiwan recently hosted its first international conference on geothermal energy. On Monday, January 9, 400 virtual and in-person visitors attended the conference in Taipei City, aimed at highlighting the nation’s geothermal advancements in light of the global energy transition. Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs financed the event and the Taiwan Geothermal Association coordinated a full day of speeches and presentations from local and international organizations. One such presentation came from the Taiwanese government and detailed the federal incentive programs for geothermal development, regulatory amendments such as simplifying permit acquisition processes, and unveiled 10 geothermal hot spots around the island with potential for resource development.
Enablement of High-Temperature Well Drilling for Multilateral Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems
Constructing a multilateral closed-loop geothermal system (MCLGS) requires directional tools and magnetic ranging tools in the bottom-hole assembly (BHA) to drill and intersect the wellbores and create the closed loop. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of such an MCLGS is largely driven by rock temperature – the hotter the rock, the more energy that is produced from a given well configuration, and the lower the levelized cost. However, these tools have a maximum temperature limit above which they are no longer functional. To enable drilling of high-temperature rock formations and thereby decrease the LCOE, methods for estimating the temperature of the BHA critical components are required. To simulate drilling, two models of increasing complexity were developed. The first model is a one-dimensional pseudo steady state wellbore + thermal resistance model capable of estimating the temperature and pressure profile of the drilling mud throughout the drill pipe and annulus. This model allows for the understanding of key performance drivers and technology requirements to achieve high-temperature drilling.
