Isotopic and Chemical Techniques in Geothermal Exploration, Development and Use


Book Description

An instructional manual of essential nuclear and complementary methodologies for a multidisciplinary approach to geothermal exploration development and monitoring. This publication provides comprehensive procedures for carrying out isotope and geochemical investigations of geothermal systems.




Geothermal Energy


Book Description

More than 20 countries generate electricity from geothermal resources and about 60 countries make direct use of geothermal energy. A ten-fold increase in geothermal energy use is foreseeable at the current technology level. Geothermal Energy: An Alternative Resource for the 21st Century provides a readable and coherent account of all facets of geothermal energy development and summarizes the present day knowledge on geothermal resources, their exploration and exploitation. Accounts of geothermal resource models, various exploration techniques, drilling and production technology are discussed within 9 chapters, as well as important concepts and current technological developments. - Interdisciplinary approach, combining traditional disciplines such as geology, geophysics, and engineering - Provides a readable and coherent account of all facets of geothermal energy development - Describes the importance of bringing potable water to high-demand areas such as the tropical regions




Geothermal Systems and Energy Resources


Book Description

In the region comprising Turkey and Greece, people have been using water from geothermal sources for bathing and washing of clothes since ancient times. This region falls within the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt and hence is a locus of active volcanism and tectonism and experiences frequent seismic events. This volcanic and tectonic activity has given rise to over 1500 geothermal springs. Its importance was recognized decades ago and the geothermal water is now being utilized for district heating, industrial processing, domestic water supply, balneology and electric power generation. The geothermal potential in this region is large. In Turkey alone it is estimated to be more than 31500 MWt while the proven potential is 4078 MWt. At present 2084 MWt is being utilized for direct applications in Turkey and 135 MWt in Greece. In Turkey electricity is produced for 166 MW installed capacity, whereas in Greece geothermal energy is presently not used for electricity production despite its potential. This book discusses the geochemical evolution of the thermal waters and thermal gases in terms of the current volcano-tectonic setting and associated geological framework that makes the region very important to the geothermal scientific community. The book explains, in a didactic way, the possible applications, depending on local conditions and scales, and it presents new and stimulating ideas for future developments of this renewable energy source. Additionally, the book discusses the role(s) of possible physicochemical processes in deep hydrothermal systems, the volatile provenance and relative contributions of mantle and crustal components to total volatile inventories. It provides the reader with a thorough understanding of the geothermal systems of this region and identifi es the most suitable solutions for specifi c tasks and needs elsewhere in the world. It is the fi rst time that abundant information and data from this region, obtained from intensive research during the last few decades, is unveiled to the international geothermal community. Thus, an international readership, in the professional and academic sectors, as well as in key institutions that deal with geothermal energy, will benefit from the knowledge from geothermal research and experiences obtained from the Aegean Region.




Geothermal Energy


Book Description

An In-Depth Introduction to Geothermal Energy Addressing significant changes in the energy markets since the first edition, Geothermal Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment, Second Edition expounds on the geothermal industry, exploring the expansion, growth, and development of geothermal systems. This text covers every area of geothermal energy, including environmental and economic issues, and technological advancements. Considers the Vast Technological Achievements within the Geothermal Industry Factoring in new concepts for distributed generation, hybrid technologies, and the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), the book incorporates real-world examples designed to illustrate the key aspects of chapter topics. It provides case studies in nearly every chapter, and includes examples from the U.S., Iceland, France, and Japan. Contains comprehensive, quantitative, and rigorous treatment of the geology, geochemistry, and geophysics of geothermal resources, and how they impact exploration, resource assessment, and operations Provides a state-of-the-art description of current Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Presents an objective description of the most recent economic comparisons including all energy resources Covers environmental issues of energy use and quantitative descriptions of the relative impacts of all renewable and non-renewable energy resources Describes geothermal resources from a global perspective, including direct use and geothermal heat pump applications, as well as power production Geothermal Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment, Second Edition can be used for undergraduate coursework; as a reference for designers, planners, engineers, and architects; and as a source of background material for policymakers, investors, and regulators.




Advances in Geothermal Energy


Book Description

Geothermal energy means the natural heat energy from the Earth. The geothermal resources of the Earth are huge and unlike other conventional and renewable energy sources, geothermal energy has unique features; namely, it is available, stable at all times throughout the year, independent of weather conditions, and has an inherent storage capability. Geothermal energy is also considered to be an environmentally friendly clean energy source that could significantly contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions. The utilization of geothermal energy is usually divided into the part used for electricity generation and the part used for heating applications. Due to its important utilization and future prospects, various interesting topics of research related to geothermal energy are covered in this book. This book is the result of contributions from several researchers and experts worldwide. It is hoped that the book will become a useful source of information and basis for extended research for researchers, academics, policy makers, and practitioners in the area of geothermal energy.







Geothermal Energy Systems


Book Description

Geothermal Energy Systems The book encounters basic knowledge about geothermal technology for the utilization of geothermal resources. The book helps to understand the basic geology needed for the utilization of geothermal energy, shows up the practice to make access to geothermal reservoirs by drilling and the engineering of the reservoir by enhancing methods. The book describes the technology to make use of the Earth?s heat for direct use, power, and/or chill and gives boundary conditions for its economic and environmental utilization. A special focus is made on enhanced or engineered geothermal systems (EGS) which are based on concepts which bring a priori less productive reservoirs to an economic use. From the contents: Reservoir Definition Exploration Methods Drilling into Geothermal Reservoirs Enhancing Geothermal Reservoirs Geothermal Reservoir Simulation Energetic Use of EGS Reservoirs Economic Performance and Environmental Assessment Deployment of Enhanced Geothermal Systems plants and CO2-mitigation




Geothermal Water Management


Book Description

Availability of and adequate accessibility to freshwater and energy are two key technological and scientific problems of global significance. At the end of the 20th century, the deficit of water for human consumption and economic application forced us to focus on rational use of resources. Increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency is a challenge for the 21st century. Geothermal energy is heat energy generated and stored in the Earth, accumulated in hydrothermal systems or in dry rocks within the Earth’s crust, in amounts which constitute the energy resources. The sustainable management of geothermal energy resources should be geared towards optimization of energy recovery, but also towards rational management of water resources since geothermal water serves both as energy carrier and also as valuable raw material. Geothermal waters, depending on their hydrogeothermal characteristics, the lithology of the rocks involved, the depth at which the resources occur and the sources of water supply, may be characterized by very diverse physicochemical parameters. This factor largely determines the technology to be used in their exploitation and the way the geothermal water can be used. This book is focused on the effective use of geothermal water and renewable energy for future needs in order to promote modern, sustainable and effective management of water resources. The research field includes crucial new areas of study: • an improvement in the management of freshwater resources through the use of residual geothermal water; • a review of the technologies available in the field of geothermal water treatment for its (re)use for energetic purposes and freshwater production, and • the development of balneotherapy. The book is aimed at professionals, academics and decision makers worldwide, water sector representatives and administrators, business enterprises specializing in renewable energy management and water treatment, working in the areas of geothermal energy usage, water resources, water supply and energy planning. This book has the potential to become a standard text used by educational institutions and research & development establishments involved in the geothermal water management.







Isotope Hydrology


Book Description

Within the discipline of environmental sciences, the stable-isotope methodology is being increasingly used, especially in the study of the water cycle and of paleo-climatology. This book reviews the natural variability of stable isotopes in the hydrosphere, describing the physico-chemical basis of isotope fractionalism, and applying this knowledge to natural waters as they move through the hydrologic cycle from the ocean to the atmosphere, the biosphere and the lithosphere. It focuses on the processes at the surface-atmosphere and land-biosphere-atmosphere interfaces, since these are the sites of major changes in isotope composition. In response to the increasing awareness of our changing climate, a discussion on the global view of the changing water cycle, in the past and future, concludes up the presentation.