GNS Science unveils world-first lab-scale geothermal simulator
The geothermal process simulator by GNS Science (source: GNS Science)
Carlo Cariaga
17 Jun 2025
GNS Science has created a world-first geothermal process simulator that provides a powerful alternative to in-field testing for geothermal research.
GNS Science has announced that it has created a world-first smart simulator that replicates geothermal conditions to an unprecedented details, providing valuable insight to geothermal developers and researchers.
Developed at GNS Science’s experimental geochemistry laboratory in Taupo, New Zealand in collaboration with French R&D company ,Vinci Technologies, the new tool gives the geothermal industry a more powerful way to test out hypothetical scenarios to more deeply understand the conditions specific to their site. It offers a more cost-effective alternative to in-field testing for both under-development projects and existing power stations.
“Geothermal developers face big, high-stakes decisions,” says Bruce Mountain, lead scientist of GNS Science’s Experimental Geochemistry Laboratory. “That’s why we work closely with clients to develop methods and solutions that are bespoke to them. Our goal is to support the industry to move faster, and make safer, more informed decisions.”
The simulator is also uniquely suited to simulating extreme, high-pressure, high-temperature environments, which will play a vital role in developing the technologies required to access supercritical geothermal energy. The Government of New Zealand has heavily supported supercritical geothermal research in the country, and GNS Science is playing an instrumental role in these efforts.
To learn more about the experimental geoscience capabilities of GNS Science, check out the recording of our Focus on Geothermal webinar with Dr Bruce Mountain:
Source: GNS Science
