Enhanced Precision in Geothermal Reservoir Characterization and Exploitation

A seminal report by MIT estimated that Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) could provide 100 GW of cost competitive base-load capacity by 2050. Successful integration of this renewable power source and the offsetting of fossil fuels (mainly coal) could reduce 401 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and decrease the US total CO2 emissions by 6.1%. The development of this geothermal resources presents a significant challenge and opportunity as there is much to be accomplished before our rich geothermal resources can be fully integrated into the national electric grid. Characterization, Exploitation and Monitoring of EGS is a complex problem and new more adaptive systems are required to make these new resources economically viable. The majority of this effort focuses on the feasibility of using various seismological algorithms and analytics with specific reference to the four stages of geothermal development: 1) exploration, 2) exploitation, 3) maintenance, and 4) electric grid integration. Each of these four stages presents unique requirements. The proposed effort requires adapting of current seismic analytical software developed for the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center, as well as the development of new advanced software that is unique to both the geothermal operational environment and to a large extent, oil field hydro-fracturing and waste water injection. The open source xGraph™ framework with its seismic application xQuake is used as a scaffolding for this development process, and will also serve as an exemplar of how other researchers might use it for other scientific development. This Phase I project promises to speed development of EGS by providing new real-time monitoring and exploitation software during both the development and production phases of geothermal energy projects. This proposal anticipates the development of a real-time software framework that provides project developers the ability to understand how underground fracturing of rock required in EGS as projects are developed and maintained. This application also has uses in the hydrofracturing process in fossil fuels.