Descrizione del progetto
Rompere delicatamente le rocce calde per sfruttare il calore dei giacimenti geotermici
Il nucleo della Terra è una fornace incredibilmente calda. Una parte del suo calore raggiunge la crosta ed è accessibile all’uomo. I sistemi geotermici potenziati sono progettati per sfruttare questo calore come forma di energia sostenibile per vari scopi, tra cui la generazione di energia elettrica. Questi sistemi iniettano il fluido nel terreno, provocando la riapertura di fratture preesistenti e consentendo al fluido di circolare e assorbire calore. Basandosi su progetti precedenti e sui progressi scientifici in altri campi (principalmente nel settore del petrolio e del gas), il progetto DESTRESS, finanziato dall’UE, adatterà alle applicazioni geotermiche i metodi di «stimolazione» recentemente sviluppati. Il team si concentrerà sulla «stimolazione dolce», affrontando le preoccupazioni dei cittadini legate alla fratturazione.
Obiettivo
DESTRESS is aimed at creating EGS (Enhanced geothermal systems) reservoirs with sufficient permeability, fracture orientation and spacing for economic use of underground heat. The concepts are based on experience in previous projects, on scientific progress and developments in other fields, mainly the oil & gas sector. Recently developed stimulation methods will be adapted to geothermal needs, applied to new geothermal sites and prepared for the market uptake. Understanding of risks in each area (whether technological, in business processes, for particular business cases, or otherwise), risk ownership, and possible risk mitigation will be the scope of specific work packages.
The DESTRESS concept takes into account the common and specific issues of different sites, representative for large parts of Europe, and will provide a generally applicable workflow for productivity enhancement measures. The main focus will be on stimulation treatments with minimized environmental hazard (“soft stimulation”), to enhance the reservoir in several geological settings covering granites, sandstones, and other rock types. The business cases will be shown with cost and benefit estimations based on the proven changes of the system performance, and the environmental footprint of treatments and operation of the site will be controlled. In particular, the public debate related to “fracking” will be addressed by applying specific concepts for the mitigation of damaging seismic effects while constructing a productive reservoir and operating a long-term sustainable system.
Industrial participation is particularly pronounced in DESTRESS, including large energy suppliers as well as SMEs in the process of developing their sites. The composition of the consortium involving major knowledge institutes as well as key industry will guarantee the increase in technology performance of EGS as well as an accelerated time to market.
Campo scientifico
Not validated
Not validated
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivity
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollution
- social sciencessociologygovernancecrisis managementseismic risk management
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energygeothermal energy
Programma(i)
- H2020-EU.3.3. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.3.2.4. - Develop geothermal, hydro, marine and other renewable energy options
- H2020-EU.3.3.2.2. - Develop efficient, reliable and cost-competitive solar energy systems
- H2020-EU.3.3.2.1. - Develop the full potential of wind energy
Meccanismo di finanziamento
IA - Innovation actionCoordinatore
14473 POTSDAM
Germania