Analysis of Enhanced Geothermal System Development Scenarios for District Heating and Cooling of the Göttingen University Campus

Abstract

The huge energy potential of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) makes them perspective sources of non-intermittent renewable energy for the future. This paper focuses on potential scenarios of EGS development in a locally and in regard to geothermal exploration, poorly known geological setting—the Variscan fold-and-thrust belt —for district heating and cooling of the Göttingen University campus. On average, the considered single EGS doublet might cover about 20% of the heat demand and 6% of the cooling demand of the campus. The levelized cost of heat (LCOH), net present value (NPV) and CO2 abatement cost were evaluated with the help of a spreadsheet-based model. As a result, the majority of scenarios of the reference case are currently not profitable. Based on the analysis, EGS heat output should be at least 11 MWth (with the brine flow rate being 40 l/s and wellhead temperature being 140 °C) for a potentially profitable project. These parameters can be a target for subsurface investigation, reservoir modeling and hydraulic stimulation at a later stage. However, sensitivity analysis presented some conditions that yield better results. Among the most influential parameters on the outcome are subsidies for research wells, proximity to the campus, temperature drawdown and drilling costs. If realized, the EGS project in Göttingen might save up to 18,100 t CO2 (34%) annually.

Editorial of Special Issue “Enhanced Geothermal Systems and Other Deep Geothermal Applications throughout Europe: The MEET Project”

“…EGS is also a promising source of energy. However, electricity and thermal power generation is threatened by technical issues [18], and a proper economic evaluation of different scenarios is crucial for further implementation of these solution at larger scale [19,20].…”

“…Romanov and Leiss [19] focused their study entitled "Analysis of Enhanced Geothermal System Development Scenarios for District Heating and Cooling of the Göttingen University Campus" on potential scenarios of EGS development in the poorly known Variscan basement below Göttingen, for district heating and cooling of the University campus. On average, they demonstrated that a single EGS doublet could cover about 20% of the heat demand and 6% of the cooling demand of the campus.…”

“…During the four years of the project, two main types of exploitations were investigated: Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and oil-to-geothermal conversion or co-production. The following topics were addressed: the upscaling of thermal power production and optimized operation of EGS plants (papers [1][2][3][4][5]); variscan geothermal reservoirs in granitic and metamorphic rocks (papers [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]); and technical, economic and environmental assessment for oil-to-geothermal fields and EGS integration into energy systems (papers [18][19][20]). These 20 papers give an overview of some of the work performed in the MEET project, but they are not exhaustive of all the results obtained in this frame.…”

Reuse of Oil Wells in Geothermal District Heating Networks: A Sustainable Opportunity for Cities of the Future

“…Other studies have been conducted on the energy systems supplying heating and cooling (H and C) in academic buildings or entire campuses. In [20], the potential of Enhanced Geothermal Systems for districts H and C of the Göttingen University campus has been assessed. The EGS heat output should be at least 11 MW.…”

Semi-Analytical Method for Unsymmetrical Doublet Flow Using Sink- and Source-Dominant Formulation

“…[37]. Romanov and Leiss [38] further analysed the case study on enhanced geothermal systems for application in Göttingen University. Moreover, Haghiabi et al [39] conducted an interesting study to predict the velocity vector around a cylindrical weir using doublet potential theory.…”