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Energy Resources and Carbon Management

Geothermal Systems

More »
  • Highlights
  • Projects
Highlights
Projects

The Geothermal Systems Program is focused on two research thrusts: (1) Developing innovative technologies for identifying and characterizing conventional and hidden natural hydrothermal systems; and (2) Characterizing, developing, and sustaining enhanced geothermal systems through the use of coupled process models, microearthquake (MEQ) monitoring, and laboratory studies.

Highlights

Project

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Induced Seismicity

Induced seismicity associated with energy production and waste disposal will become an increasingly important issue (geothermal, CO2 sequestration, and oil and gas, etc.) as energy production in a climate-constrained earth progresses. Although induced seismicity has been noted for many years and associated with a variety of causes, recent attention has been focused on oil and gas, geothermal, and potential CO2 sequestration sites...

Project

The EGS Collab Project: Stimulation Investigations for Geothermal Modeling Analysis and Validation

The EGS Collab Project is addressing fundamental challenges in understanding the relationship between permeability creation, induced seismicity, and heat production in crystalline rocks under relevant stress (and temperature) conditions for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)...

Project

High-Resolution Imaging of Geothermal Flow Paths Using a Cost-Effective Dense Seismic Network (CEC-EPIC)

Objective: Develop an advanced, low-cost, automated tomographic imaging system that uses micro-earthquakes and a dense network of portable, low-cost seismic sensors to form high spatial and temporal resolution images of subsurface fluid flow, including flow conduits, barriers and heterogeneity in producing geothermal fields...

Project

Comprehensive Physical-Chemical Modeling to Reduce Risks and Costs of Flexible Geothermal Energy Production (CEC-EPIC)

The Issue: The increased use of variable renewable energy (primarily wind and solar) increases the inherent variability and uncertainty in electricity demand and resource availability, and thus drives the need for operational flexibility of other renewable such as geothermal energy...

Program Overview

The Geothermal Systems Program is focused on two research thrusts:

1. Developing innovative technologies for identifying and characterizing conventional and hidden natural hydrothermal systems

Typically, “hidden” hydrothermal systems are deep, fault-hosted circulating systems in which surface manifestations have either been modified (obscuring deeper high temperatures) or are nonexistent. Our main research avenues in this thrust include: chemical geothermometry through multicomponent analysis; subsurface characterization using joint inversion of coupled geophysical attributes; locating and mapping surface fluid flux; and play fairway analysis of prospective geothermal regions to identify geothermal systems and better constrain resource potential.

2. Characterizing, developing, and sustaining enhanced geothermal systems through the use of coupled process models, microearthquake (MEQ) monitoring, and laboratory studies

In this thrust we are developing approaches to implement, monitor, and model enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), where hot rock permeability is artificially created or enhanced through hydraulic, thermal, and/or chemical stimulation. Berkeley Lab has played a major role in coupled process modeling and induced seismicity monitoring of several DOE-EGS demonstration projects. The EGS Collab Project is designed to test novel modeling, characterization, monitoring, and stimulation methods at intermediate field scales–methods which can be applied at DOE’s Frontier Observatory for Geothermal Energy (FORGE).

In addition, the Berkeley Lab’s Geothermal Program has recently diversified to include a wider range of research and development activities, including direct use applications such as brine desalination, mineral recovery, district heating and cooling, and thermal-reservoir energy storage. The expertise gained over decades of experience in our geothermal program is applicable to emerging science areas such as EESA’s research into subsurface urban geo-systems.

Expertise, Techniques, and Equipment

Our expertise, techniques, and equipment is categorized into three main areas and encompasses theoretical, laboratory, and field studies, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches.

Geophysical techniques for subsurface imaging and joint inversion

  • Imaging reservoir stimulation, subsurface structures, alteration, and fluids
  • Improved imaging resolution
  • Coupled data inversion and analysis (acoustic, EM, rock physics)
  • Monitoring, analysis, and mitigation of induced seismicity

Geochemical, geomechanical, and isotope techniques for tracing fluid-rock histories (fluid flow)

  • Multicomponent geothermometry to predict subsurface reservoir temperatures
  • Isotopic signatures to identify sources of geothermal fluids
  • Reactive transport in fractured media
  • Geochemical impact on permeability, physical properties of rocks
  • Flow path engineering (creation, mitigation)
  • Improved tracer technology (natural and injected tracers)

Reservoir engineering and coupled process modeling

  • Predictive, inverse, and process models
  • Coupled Thermal-Hydrologic-Mechanical-Chemical processes
  • TOUGH family of codes

News Highlights

  • Geothermal Brines Could Propel California’s Green Economy (2020)
  • Berkeley Lab To Partner with International Collaborators in Geothermal Energy Research (2020)
  • Geothermal Group Takes their Research Up a Level (2019)
  • Tool Created at GMF Enables Unprecedented Look at Subsurface Rock Fractures (2018)
  • Berkeley Lab Scientists Study Rock Fracture in Connection with Enhanced Geothermal Systemss (2018)
  • Revolutionizing Geothermal Energy Research (2018)
  • Berkeley Lab to Lead Multimillion Geothermal Energy Project (2017)
  • Mack Kennedy Receives Geothermal Special Achievement Award (2017)
  • Cross-Border Collaborations in Geothermal Energy Research (2017)

Publication Highlights

  • Creation of a mixed-mode fracture network at meso-scale through hydraulic fracturing and shear stimulation. Submitted to Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, 2020
  • Analysis of curtailment at The Geysers geothermal Field, California. Geothermics, 2020
  • Joint opening or hydroshearing? Analyzing a fracture zone stimulation at Fenton Hill. Geothermics, 2019
  • How to sustain a CO2-thermosiphon in a partially saturated geothermal reservoir: Lessons learned from field experiment and numerical modeling. Geothermics, 2018
  • Influence of injection-induced cooling on deviatoric stress and shear reactivation of preexisting fractures in Enhanced Geothermal Systems. Geothermics, 2017
  • Play-fairway analysis for geothermal resources and exploration risk in the Modoc Plateau region. Geothermics, 2017
  • Utilizing supercritical geothermal systems: a review of past ventures and ongoing research activities. Geothermal Energy, 2017
  • Regional crustal-scale structures as conduits for deep geothermal upflow. Geothermics, 2016
  • The Northwest Geysers EGS Demonstration Project, California: Pre-stimulation Modeling and Interpretation of the Stimulation. Mathematical Geosciences, 2015
  • Resistivity characterization of the Krafla and Hengill geothermal fields through 3D MT inverse modeling. Geothermics, 2015

Acknowledgments

Support for the Geothermal Systems Program is provided principally by the DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Geothermal Technologies Office, with additional contributions from other sponsors contracted with industry partners.

Featured Projects

Project

Comprehensive Physical-Chemical Modeling to Reduce Risks and Costs of Flexible Geothermal Energy Production (CEC-EPIC)

The Issue: The increased use of variable renewable energy (primarily wind and solar) increases the inherent variability and uncertainty in electricity demand and resource availability, and thus drives the need for operational flexibility of other renewable such as geothermal energy...

Project

Dynamic Earth Energy Storage: Terawatt-Year, Grid-Scale Energy Storage using Planet Earth as a Thermal Battery

This project is a collaborative project led by INL that addresses the concept of energy storage that would involve converting excess electrical energy to heat and storing it geologically in deep saline aquifers. Additionally, available/excess thermal energy (from thermal generation sources) can be directly stored geologically with minimal processing. Stored heat can then be withdrawn at a later time to be used directly (as process heat for industrial applications) or indirectly (electrical generation).

Project

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Induced Seismicity

Induced seismicity associated with energy production and waste disposal will become an increasingly important issue (geothermal, CO2 sequestration, and oil and gas, etc.) as energy production in a climate-constrained earth progresses. Although induced seismicity has been noted for many years and associated with a variety of causes, recent attention has been focused on oil and gas, geothermal, and potential CO2 sequestration sites...

Project

Geo-TES Project

The Geologic Thermal Energy Storage (GeoTES) Project involves three main components: (1) Convert excess electricity to hot water and pump it into a deep sedimentary reservoir, (2) Store the thermal energy in the subsurface, and (3) When needed, recover hot water for energy generation or direct use applications.

Project

High-Resolution Imaging of Geothermal Flow Paths Using a Cost-Effective Dense Seismic Network (CEC-EPIC)

Objective: Develop an advanced, low-cost, automated tomographic imaging system that uses micro-earthquakes and a dense network of portable, low-cost seismic sensors to form high spatial and temporal resolution images of subsurface fluid flow, including flow conduits, barriers and heterogeneity in producing geothermal fields...

Project

Imperial Valley Dark Fiber Project

This project seeks to explore the use of fiber optic sensing, particularly distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), to seismically characterize geothermal systems at the basin scale in California’s Imperial Valley.

Project

The EGS Collab Project: Stimulation Investigations for Geothermal Modeling Analysis and Validation

The EGS Collab Project is addressing fundamental challenges in understanding the relationship between permeability creation, induced seismicity, and heat production in crystalline rocks under relevant stress (and temperature) conditions for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)...

Program Contacts

Patrick F. Dobson
Geothermal Systems Program Lead
Staff Scientist

Tim Kneafsey
Affiliate Scientist (Retired)

Susan Sprinkle
Program Operations Analyst

News & Events

Berkeley Lab To Partner with International Collaborators in Geothermal Energy Research

July 30, 2020

Scientists from the Energy Geosciences Division will collaborate with European partners on three new geothermal research projects through the Department of Energy’s membership in GEOTHERMICA, a transnational consortium that combines the in-country financial resources and research expertise of 15 participating countries to demonstrate and validate novel concepts in geothermal energy use. This marks the first…

Bill Gates’ $1 Billion Clean Energy Fund Invests in Geothermal Company Hosted By EESA

October 5, 2018

Bill Gates’ $1 billion Breakthrough Energy Ventures is investing in a host of startups developing technology that confront climate change. Among the first selected was Fervo Energy, a company hosted by EESA that is applying fracking techniques to the geothermal industry in the hope of converting far more of the planet’s latent heat into a source of…

In Memory: Geothermal Energy Pioneer Marcelo Lippmann

October 3, 2018

    Marcelo J. Lippmann, a long-time fixture in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, passed away at his home in Berkeley, on September 10, 2018, after a long bout with cancer. Marcelo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1939, and received his Bachelor of Science in geology from the University of Buenos Aires…

Fervo Energy, Hosted by EESA, Receives New Funding from DOE

September 19, 2018

A Cyclotron Road company hosted by EESA was part of a new $4.45 million award from the Department of Energy in support of its work to improve enhanced geothermal systems. Founded in 2017, Fervo Energy set out to overcome the technical challenges keeping geothermal energy from becoming a commercially viable form of clean energy in…

Geosciences Measurement Facility Celebrates Its 45th Summer Field Season

August 21, 2018

Within the Department of Energy complex of national laboratories, the Geosciences Measurement Facility (GMF) at Berkeley Lab is distinguished by its ability to build, test, and deploy customized instrumentation and innovative data acquisition and telemetry solutions, which are enabling scientists to address some of the most critical Earth, energy and environmental challenges that we face.…

Algorithm Provides Early Warning System for Tracking Groundwater Contamination

August 13, 2018

Groundwater contamination is increasingly recognized as a widespread environmental problem. The most important course of action often involves long-term monitoring. But what is the most cost-effective way to monitor when the contaminant plumes are large, complex, and long-term, or an unexpected event such as a storm could cause sudden changes in contaminant levels that may…

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