Geothermal Energy and CO2 Storage

Publication Overview

This report summarises the main issues related to potential conflicts and possible synergies between geothermal activities and CO₂ geological storage, for the purpose of finding what further research into this area will be necessary and what further steps could be taken by IEAGHG. The majority of the information in the report is largely based on a conference held by the GFZ in Potsdam on Geothermal Energy and CO₂ Storage: Synergy or Competition, which was largely focussed on European issues and did not cover an overall global perspective. There are two principal types of geothermal energy, the traditional hydrothermal, which mines heat using the in-situ geothermal waters and Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), where alternate methods are used to mine the heat. This can involve the fracturing of a low permeability rock to increase fluid flow, as in a Hot Dry Rock System.

Publication Summary

More research is needed on the possible synergies and conflicts of geothermal activities and CO₂ storage, especially in regards to using formations at different depths for different activities. If the European experience of limited overlap is repeated elsewhere in the world there will only be niche opportunities for synergy, but this is not known nor is it known or if it can be used more widely and be possible on a larger scale.