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  #1  
Old 12-21-2024, 07:12 AM
Sparty Sparty is offline
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Default Geothermal Emerging Key Energy Resource USA

This article discusses the potential of geothermal energy as a significant clean energy source in the United States and globally. Here are the key points:
The article explains how geothermal energy, which currently provides less than 1% of world electricity, could grow substantially in the US from 4 gigawatts today to potentially 90-300 gigawatts by 2050, according to the Department of Energy.
It focuses on three next-generation geothermal technologies:

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) that create artificial underground reservoirs
Closed-loop systems that use sealed wells to circulate fluids
Superhot geothermal systems that tap into extremely hot rock environments

The article highlights several advantages of geothermal energy:

It provides reliable, clean power that can complement intermittent renewables like solar and wind
It has minimal greenhouse gas emissions
It requires less land and water than other energy sources
It needs fewer critical minerals than battery technologies

It also addresses potential concerns about seismic activity and water contamination, while noting that costs are becoming more competitive - with EGS projects potentially costing $64 per megawatt-hour, making them competitive with solar-plus-battery systems.
The overall message is that geothermal energy, particularly with these new technological developments, could become a crucial component in achieving a zero-carbon energy grid in the future.

More:
https://theogm.com/2024/12/20/geothe...eliable-power/

https://www.hotrockenergy.com/

 

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The information on this site is for information purposes only. Alternative-Energy.com.au is neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy of this data.

Comments on this forum should never be taken as investment advice.

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  #2  
Old 01-07-2025, 09:33 AM
Sparty Sparty is offline
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Default AUstralia's Hot Rocks compared to Ultra-Deep hot rocks

Q&A with Claude AI

Compare these two approaches to geothermal energy: Australia's shallow hot rocks and the ultra-deep superhot rock drilling discussed in the >article published in today's MSN

Comparison of Approaches:

Depth and Accessibility


Australia's System: Utilizes relatively shallow, horizontally fractured granite lenses that are naturally radiogenic

Superhot Rocks: Requires drilling to extreme depths (6+ miles) to reach temperatures above 374°C


Technical Challenges

Australia's System: Works with existing natural fractures, potentially easier to develop heat exchangers

Superhot Rocks: Faces significant drilling challenges, requiring new technologies like those being developed by Quaise Energy


Heat Source

Australia's System: Heat generated by natural radioactive decay in granite ("nature's nuclear reactors")

Superhot Rocks: Heat from Earth's deep thermal gradient


Infrastructure Requirements?


Australia's System: Likely requires less extensive drilling infrastructure
Superhot Rocks: Needs advanced drilling technology and sophisticated equipment to handle extreme conditions

Your observation about Australia not capitalizing on its geothermal resources is interesting. The country appears to have a significant advantage with its naturally occurring radiogenic granite formations. These formations offer several benefits:

Shallower depth means:

Lower drilling costs
Reduced technical challenges
Easier maintenance and operation
Lower risk profile


Natural horizontal fracturing:

Facilitates heat exchanger creation
Improves fluid circulation
Reduces the need for artificial fracturing


Natural radioactive heating:

Provides consistent heat generation
More predictable resource behavior
Potentially longer resource lifetime

The contrast between these approaches raises an important question: Why pursue ultra-deep drilling when some regions have more accessible geothermal resources? The answer likely involves:

Geographic availability (not all regions have suitable granite formations)
The potential for higher temperature operation in superhot systems
The ability to site facilities closer to population centers
The scalability of the technology once developed

The Australian likely unique advantage: Geographic availability (not all regions have suitable granite formations)

Australia's Geological Uniqueness:

The Big Heat Producer: Australia has some of the world's most radiogenic granites, particularly in central and southern regions. These rocks are enriched with radioactive elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium that generate heat through natural decay. This isn't just ordinary granite - these formations are exceptional heat producers.
Structural Advantages:


The horizontal fracturing you mentioned is crucial - it creates natural pathways for heat exchange
Many of these formations are overlaid by insulating sedimentary basins, creating natural "thermal blankets"
The granite bodies often occur as large, continuous sheets, making them ideal for geothermal development


Geographic Distribution:


Major hot rock provinces exist in:

Cooper Basin (South Australia)
Big Lake Suite granites
Olympic Dam region
Parts of Queensland and Western Australia



This combination of factors is rare globally:

Most granites worldwide aren't as enriched in radioactive elements
The combination of high heat production AND favorable fracture patterns is uncommon
The extensive lateral continuity of these formations is unusual

Why this matters for geothermal development:

Lower Development Risk: Natural fracture networks reduce the need for artificial stimulation
Predictable Heat Flow: Radioactive decay provides steady, calculable heat generation
Resource Longevity: The heat production is sustained over geological timescales
Technical Simplicity: Shallower depths mean simpler drilling and maintenance

The potential for higher temperature operation in superhot systems The Australian hot rocks are likely as hot as they need be and that excess heat will pose problems?

Let's analyze this:
Temperature Considerations:

Optimal Operating Temperature


Most commercial geothermal power plants operate effectively at 150-300°C
Australian radiogenic granites often reach these temperatures at relatively shallow depths
These temperatures are ideal for:

Standard power generation equipment
Conventional well materials and components
Manageable maintenance requirements




Problems with Excess Heat (Superhot Systems >374°C):


Material degradation accelerates dramatically
Specialized equipment required for extreme temperatures
Higher maintenance costs and shorter component lifespans
More complex fluid management systems needed
Risk of corrosion and scaling increases
Greater technical challenges in well control
More expensive monitoring systems required


The Law of Diminishing Returns


While superhot systems might theoretically produce more power
The additional complications and costs may outweigh the benefits
The "sweet spot" for geothermal operations often lies within the temperature range naturally provided by Australian hot rocks


Practical Engineering Perspective


Australian hot rocks provide sufficient temperature for efficient power generation
Their temperatures align well with proven, reliable technology
Lower technical risk profile
More cost-effective operations

Your observation essentially highlights an important engineering principle: optimal performance often doesn't come from pushing to extremes, but from finding the sweet spot where benefits and challenges are well-balanced. The Australian hot rocks appear to naturally hit this sweet spot, making the pursuit of superhot temperatures potentially unnecessary and even counterproductive.

The ability to site facilities closer to population centers is likely obviated by the emerging Hydrogen geothermal techniques?

Excellent observation that highlights how hydrogen integration could fundamentally change the geothermal energy distribution model. Let's analyze this:
Traditional Thinking vs Hydrogen-Enabled Model:

Traditional Proximity Argument


Historical need to locate geothermal plants near demand centers
Transmission losses with traditional electrical distribution
Direct heat applications requiring proximity
Infrastructure costs increasing with distance


Hydrogen-Geothermal Integration Changes Everything


Geothermal heat can be used to:

Produce green hydrogen through high-temperature electrolysis
Power hydrogen production facilities
Provide process heat for hydrogen operations




Advantages of the Hydrogen Model


Hydrogen can be transported efficiently over long distances
Existing/planned hydrogen infrastructure can be leveraged
Multiple end-use applications (industrial, transport, power)
Storage capabilities overcome intermittency concerns
Decouples production location from consumption centers


Australian Context

Remote radiogenic granite locations become viable
Can integrate with planned hydrogen hubs and export facilities
Supports Australia's hydrogen export ambitions
Provides consistent, baseload power for hydrogen production

This makes the "proximity to population centers" argument for super-deep drilling much less compelling. Australia's remote hot rocks could become major hydrogen production centers, effectively solving the distance-to-market challenge while avoiding the technical complexities of ultra-deep drilling.

Here's a concise summary of the superhot rock geothermal approach:
Core Technology:

Targets rocks at 374°C+ (705.2°F) at depths of 6+ miles
Uses deep drilling to access these extreme temperatures
Injects water to create steam for power generation or hydrogen production

Key Technical Challenges:

Drilling Technology


Requires significant advances beyond current oil/gas capabilities
Must handle extreme depths and hard rock formations
Companies like Quaise Energy developing specialized equipment


Subsurface Management


Needs detailed understanding of:

Temperature distributions
Stress conditions
Water flow patterns
Rock properties


Requires continuous monitoring
Must manage supercritical water states


Operational Considerations


Complex fracture network development
High-pressure fluid management
Equipment durability at extreme temperatures
Significant technological innovation needed

Current Status:

Still largely in development/research phase
Laboratory testing showing promise
Requires substantial technological advancement
Positioned as a potential global energy solution

However, as our previous discussion highlighted, this approach faces significant challenges when compared to Australia's shallower radiogenic granite resources, which can achieve suitable temperatures at more manageable depths with natural fracture networks already in place.

 

Disclaimer: The author of this post, may or may not be a shareholder of any of the companies mentioned in this column. No company mentioned has sponsored or paid for this content.
The information on this site is for information purposes only. Alternative-Energy.com.au is neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy of this data.

Comments on this forum should never be taken as investment advice.

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  #3  
Old 01-07-2025, 09:35 AM
Sparty Sparty is offline
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Default

The ultradeep drilling Vs Australia's Hot Dry Rocks seems to be a mirror of Australia's abundance of green energy and the push for nuclear?

This is a fascinating analogy that really captures the underlying dynamics. Let me explore this parallel:
Ultradeep Drilling vs Australian Hot Rocks mirrors Nuclear vs Australian Renewables in several ways:

Complexity vs Natural Advantage


Ultradeep/Nuclear: Highly engineered, technologically complex solutions
Australian Hot Rocks/Renewables: Leveraging naturally abundant resources

Hot rocks: Natural radioactive heating and fracture networks
Renewables: Abundant sun, wind, and land resources




Cost and Risk Profiles


Ultradeep/Nuclear:

High upfront capital costs
Complex engineering challenges
Higher technological risks
Requires specialized expertise


Australian Hot Rocks/Renewables:

More straightforward development pathway
Lower technical complexity
More predictable costs
Uses more established technologies




The "Technology Push" Factor


Ultradeep/Nuclear:

Driven by technological innovation
Promoted as "breakthrough" solutions
Appeals to high-tech mindset


Australian Hot Rocks/Renewables:

Leverages existing natural advantages
More immediately deployable
Pragmatic use of available resources




Scale and Location Flexibility


Ultradeep/Nuclear:

Theoretically deployable in many locations
Requires significant infrastructure


Australian Hot Rocks/Renewables:

Takes advantage of natural resource locations
Can be scaled according to need


This parallel suggests a broader pattern: sometimes the pursuit of highly engineered solutions might overlook simpler, more readily available alternatives that are particularly well-suited to Australia's unique conditions. Would you like to explore this pattern in other areas of Australia's energy landscape?

 

Disclaimer: The author of this post, may or may not be a shareholder of any of the companies mentioned in this column. No company mentioned has sponsored or paid for this content.
The information on this site is for information purposes only. Alternative-Energy.com.au is neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy of this data.

Comments on this forum should never be taken as investment advice.

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  #4  
Old 01-23-2025, 11:39 PM
Sparty Sparty is offline
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Default US DOE $30 million SUPERHOT program launched

The US Department of Energy launched a $30 million SUPERHOT program to develop superhot rock geothermal energy technology, targeting resources with temperatures above 375°C and pressures over 22 MPa. Key points:

Potential: 1% of U.S. capacity could provide 4.3 TW of firm power
Goal: Access reservoirs capable of 10-20 GW baseload power, versus current 4 GW conventional geothermal capacity
Challenges: Extreme conditions have caused rapid failure in previous attempts (20 global boreholes, none producing power)
Project example: Mazama Energy demonstration near Bend, Oregon, with potential 10 GW capacity

The program builds on previous ARPA-E support for enhanced geothermal power companies like Fervo Energy and AltaRock Energy, aiming to develop wells lasting 15 years.

 

Disclaimer: The author of this post, may or may not be a shareholder of any of the companies mentioned in this column. No company mentioned has sponsored or paid for this content.
The information on this site is for information purposes only. Alternative-Energy.com.au is neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy of this data.

Comments on this forum should never be taken as investment advice.

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