Title
Geothermal energy in deep aquifers: A global assessment of the resource base for direct heat utilization
Author
Limberger, J.
Boxem, T.
Pluymaekers, M.
Bruhn, D.
Manzella, A.
Calcagno, P.
Beekman, F.
Cloetingh, S.
van Wees, J.D.
Publication year
2018
Abstract
In this paper we present results of a global resource assessment for geothermal energy within deep aquifers for direct heat utilization. Greenhouse heating, spatial heating, and spatial cooling are considered in this assessment. We derive subsurface temperatures from geophysical data and apply a volumetric heat-in-place method to improve current global geothermal resource base estimates for direct heat applications. The amount of thermal energy stored within aquifers depends on the Earth's heat flow, aquifer volume, and thermal properties. We assess the thermal energy available by estimating subsurface temperatures up to a depth of three kilometer depending on aquifer thickness. The distribution of geothermal resources is displayed in a series of maps and the depth of the minimum production temperature is used as an indicator of performance and technical feasibility. Suitable aquifers underlay 16% of the Earth's land surface and store an estimated 4·105 to 5·106 EJ that could theoretically be used for direct heat applications. Even with a conservative recovery factor of 1% and an assumed lifetime of 30 years, the annual recoverable geothermal energy is in the same order as the world final energy consumption of 363.5 EJ yr-1. Although the amount of geothermal energy stored in aquifers is vast, geothermal direct heat applications are currently underdeveloped with less than one thousandth of their technical potential used. © 2017 The Author(s)
Subject
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
2015 Geo 2017 Geo
2015 Energy
Geological Survey Netherlands
Direct heat utilization
Geothermal energy
Global resources
Heat flow
Heat in place
Aquifers
Energy utilization
Geothermal fields
Heat transfer
Hydrogeology
Thermal energy
Aquifer thickness
Geothermal resources
Global resources
Greenhouse heating
Heat utilization
Recovery factors
Subsurface temperature
Technical potential
Geothermal energy
AGEA - Advisory Group for Economic Affairs AG - Applied Geosciences
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:e08f93c3-b288-4847-9a6c-7be133f15108
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.09.084
TNO identifier
781923
ISSN
1364-0321
Source
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82 (82), 961-975
Document type
article