A numerical approach to infer terrestrial heat flux from shallow temperature profiles in remote northern regions

Miranda, Mafalda Alexandra; Marquez, Maria Isabel Vélez; Raymond, Jasmin; Dezayes, Chrystel

doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2021.102064

Cited by 11 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…Moreover, by imposing a time-varying upper boundary condition, the model is capable to reproduce the variations in the surface temperature caused by the several climate events that have been occurring since late Pleistocene (Table 1; [90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106]). These climate disturbances propagate downwards by thermal diffusion, disrupting the steady-state geothermal gradient and affecting not only the present-day heat flux [89] and references therein but the subsurface temperature as well (as supported by this work; Table 7). The amplitude of the climate events exponentially decay with depth and their signal attenuates [55].…”

Section: D Subsurface Temperature Distributionsupporting

confidence: 66%

“…In turn, the thermophysical properties evaluated at water saturation conditions led to an increase of the heat flux: 34.1 to 69.4 mW m −2 , with an average value of 49.7 mW m −2 [89]. The heat flux estimates of Miranda et al [89] were used as the lower boundary condition in the present work.…”

Section: Subsurface Temperature Distributionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…The lower boundary condition is the basal heat flux. A numerical approach has been developed by Marquez et al [88] and improved by Miranda et al [89] to simulate climate events and find the basal heat flux that best matches a measured temperature log. The results of the latter were used in this work.…”

Section: Subsurface Temperature Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The temperature profile was measured in an 80-m-deep groundwater monitoring well drilled prior to any of these studies. Considering the thermophysical properties at dry conditions, Miranda et al [89] estimated the basal heat flux to range between 31.8 to 52.3 mW m −2 , with an average value of 41.6 mW m −2 . In turn, the thermophysical properties evaluated at water saturation conditions led to an increase of the heat flux: 34.1 to 69.4 mW m −2 , with an average value of 49.7 mW m −2 [89].…”

Section: Subsurface Temperature Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considering the thermophysical properties at dry conditions, Miranda et al [89] estimated the basal heat flux to range between 31.8 to 52.3 mW m −2 , with an average value of 41.6 mW m −2 . In turn, the thermophysical properties evaluated at water saturation conditions led to an increase of the heat flux: 34.1 to 69.4 mW m −2 , with an average value of 49.7 mW m −2 [89]. The heat flux estimates of Miranda et al [89] were used as the lower boundary condition in the present work.…”

Section: Subsurface Temperature Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Uncertainty and Risk Evaluation of Deep Geothermal Energy Source for Heat Production and Electricity Generation in Remote Northern Regions

2020

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The Canadian off-grid communities heavily rely on fossil fuels. This unsustainable energetic framework needs to change, and deep geothermal energy can play an important role. However, limited data availability is one of the challenges to face when evaluating such resources in remote areas. Thus, a first-order assessment of the geothermal energy source is, therefore, needed to trigger interest for further development in northern communities. This is the scope of the present work. Shallow subsurface data and outcrop samples treated as subsurface analogs were used to infer the deep geothermal potential beneath the community of Kuujjuaq (Nunavik, Canada). 2D heat conduction models with time-varying upper boundary condition reproducing climate events were used to simulate the subsurface temperature distribution. The available thermal energy was inferred with the volume method. Monte Carlo-based sensitivity analyses were carried out to determine the main geological and technical uncertainties on the deep geothermal potential and risk analysis to forecast future energy production. The results obtained, although speculative, suggest that the old Canadian Shield beneath Kuujjuaq host potential to fulfill the community’s annual average heating demand of 37 GWh. Hence, deep geothermal energy can be a promising solution to support the energy transition of remote northern communities.

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