Lectures on enhanced geothermal systems

Abstract

The lectures are prepared based in most parts on the material given by Huenges (2010) and cover basic knowledge about geothermal technology for the utilization of geothermal resources. The lectures should help to understand the basic geology needed for the utilization of geothermal energy and describes the methods to create access to geothermal reservoirs by drilling and the engineering of the reservoir. The technology available to make use of the earth’s heat for direct use, power, and/or chilling, and give the economic and environmental conditions limiting its utilization will be discussed. Special emphasis is given to enhanced or engineered geothermal systems (EGS), which are based on concepts that bring a priori less productive reservoirs to an economic use.