European Mexican research project exploring ultra-deep geothermal resources
Utrecht University, the Netherlands (source: flickr/ ocegep, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
26 Aug 2016
An exciting collaboration on research between the EU and Mexico with Earth scientists from Utrecht University is looking into how to utilise geothermal energy from deeper depth than currently being exploited.
In a release today, Utrecht University from the Netherlands has provided details about an exciting research project on geothermal energy.
The GEMEX Project is an international collaboration between the EU and Mexico in which Earth scientists from Utrecht University, among others, together with colleagues from Mexico aim to detect heat which is stored deep underground to make easier and cheaper geothermal energy. The Earth’s crust in Mexico is different to that of the Netherlands. In Mexico, it takes a depth of just one to two kilometres to reach about 130 to 300 degrees Celsius, whereas in the Netherlands it takes at least a depth of 4 km to reach that temperature. The Gemex Project allows for relatively shallow boring to develop knowledge for the development of ultra-deep geothermal energy in the Netherlands at a low cost.
Geothermal exploration
Jan-Diederik van Wees, Earth Scientist at TNO and Utrecht University, examines how to assist predictive models for the detection of favourable conditions for ultra-deep geothermal underground sources. It is not only temperature, but also deep-permeability that is of interest, both of which are necessary in order to bring out the heat in the form of water and to inject it again after cooling. The stressed state and the dependent deformation of the crust also plays a major role. Deep groundwater flows move easier along active faults. Knowing where these fractures are allows better access to geothermal energy, and also helps in assessing the risks of seismic activity.
A solid base in Utrecht
Earth scientists at Utrecht University have a solid foundation in tectonics, geophysics and seismology, research fields that are essential for geothermal exploration. They often work with the predictive models of van Wees, which his colleagues use to bore in the right places. The TNO and Utrecht University cooperation has resulted in geothermal exploration in several major international research projects including IMAGE (Integrated Methods for Advanced Geothermal Exploration), GEOCAP (Geocapacity building Netherlands-Indonesia) and now GEMEX. Together, these projects account for more than EUR 3 million ($3.4 million) in Utrecht research funds, of which over EUR 1 million ($1.1 million) is for Utrecht University.
Geothermal heat under the Uithof
There are potentially suitable rocks for the development of ultra-deep geothermal in Utrecht. The opportunity to use this source in the long term is something Utrecht University is looking into with different companies here.
Source: Press Release by Utrecht University/ Netherlands
