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Description
The main objective of the project is to progress the technology of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) using CO2 as a working fluid closer to industrial deployment. The EGS technology with CO2 as working fluid has the potential of becoming a new sustainable source of energy which will be important for the fulfilment of the international ambitions for mitigation of anthropogenic climate change. The project aims to bring a new and sustainable technology for energy production a step closer to deployment, which hence could have large benefits for the society in terms of economy and mitigation of global warming and reduction of local emissions. The project will also provide new experimental petrophysical and fluid data and models, which will be needed for development of CO2-EGS as well as other applications such as CCS.
The EnerGizerS proposal addresses a challenge in case of a complex use of EGS geothermal systems with CO2 sequestration, which has two important dimensions: (1) A technical and scientific aspect for stepping up and stimulate technical excellence with development of effective resources exploration and exploitation; (2) A non-technical aspect, strengthening the regulatory and policy framework analysis. That is why, there is a need to further develop the non-technological solutions, management schemes and to disseminate them.
Exchanging knowledge across research institutions and borders is a key component of the EnerGizerS. AGH, MEERI PAS and NTNU will further their experience with geothermal systems, where AGH and MEERI PAS will share their previous knowledge on CO2-EGS specifically with the project partners. SINTEF will expand and share their extensive knowledge of using CO2 as a working fluid in power cycles to also include CO2- EGS, while Exergon will share vital knowledge on technoeconomic considerations as well extend their competence of technoeconomic within the field of the geothermal systems and CO2EGS.
Summary of project results
The main objective of the project is to analyze the efficiency of the enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) using CO2 as a working fluid. EGS with CO2 instead of water as the working fluid (CO2-EGS) has attracted much interest due to the additional benefit of CO2 geological storage during the power generation process. The proposed solution aims to take action to protect the climate by producing clean and ecological geothermal energy and simultaneously reduce carbon dioxide emissions coming from combustion of fossil fuels. To achieve the objective, the research team will conduct research aimed at detailed identification of potential geological structures for the location of CO2-EGS systems in Poland and Norway, combining the requirements for both EGS and CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) systems. Petrophysical, thermal and mechanical laboratory tests will be performed on drill-core samples taken from appropriate geological structure. The results of laboratory tests will be used for mathematical modelling, including structural modelling of geological reservoir, modelling of the fracturing process of solid rocks and 3D modelling for multi-variant simulations of CO2 injection and exploitation with forecasts of reservoir behavior over time. The project assumes experimental determination of properties and behavior of CO2-EGS working fluids as well as mathematical modeling of CO2-based topside systems for heat and power production. All performed tests and analyzes will form the basis for conducting techno-economic and environmental assessment of proposed technology. Results of the project will help to determine the validity of the combination of two technologies: EGS and CCS, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and for cost-efficient energy generation. A key issue will be the exchange of experiences and enhanced cooperation between the Polish and Norwegian partners, in order to determine the best framework for this technology, to lower the risk of future investments.
Comprehensive analysis carried out in all WPs made it possible to identify the following final results:
1. There are favourable geological conditions for the development of CO2-EGS technology– in Poland: the Gorzów Block area and in Norway: Åre Formation in the Norwegian Sea
2. The indicated test locations are characterized by different geological parameters:
a. Gorzów Block (onshore location) reservoir rock are volcanic rocks (Lower Permian) at the depth of 4100 - 4300 m bsl with temp. ca. 145°C;
b. Norwegian Sea (off-shore location) - Åre formation at a depth of 4600-4800 m bsl, sedimentary rocks with a temp.166°C
3. The results of laboratory test indicate that the studied rocks have suitable parameters as a geothermal reservoir for CO2-EGS
4. Experimental campaign delivered a new setup for accurate measurements of phase behaviour of CO2 mixtures: VLE results of CO2-H2O system at isotherm of 50°C (mole fraction from 0.3481 to 1.3075%)
5. Energy analysis shows:
a. In Poland, 2 cases were considered: Case 1 - combined heat and power within the direct sCO2 cycle- allows to achieve power of 0.4 MWel & 9 MWth for up to 18 years with electricity production of 120 235 MWh and heat production of 2 219 119 MWh. Working only with thermosiphon effect is recommended. Case 2 - power generation only within hybrid cycle – power of 1.7 MWel for up to 20 years; electricity production of 369 240 MWh. Operational phase is 30 years and 10 764 096 ton of CO2 will be stored.
b. In Norway 2 cases were considered: Indirect ORC (at sea floor) & indirect ORC (at platform). System can produce 10-12 MW power for decades. Higher water content weakens thermosiphon effect, but thermal energy content extracted is much higher. Operational phase is 30 years and 154 723 245 ton of CO2 will be stored. Electricity production is 2 577 987 MWh.
6.·Conducted environmental analysis shows that the environmental footprint is smaller for the Åre formation, especially for power generation (global warming = 12 kg CO2 eq). Power generation only within hybrid cycle in Gorzów area has the highest impact (54 kg CO2 eq). For combined heat and power within the direct sCO2 this value is 39 kg CO2 eq. The highest environmental impact is related to the first phase which stems from the energy and sources required during the reservoir stimulation and wells drilling.
7.The economic profitability of analyzed systems depends strongly on capex, CO2 price and heat price. Electricity production from low-temperature geothermal heat is not profitable, so the existance of heat demand is crucial. The results of the project indicate an investment cost of about 61 to 380 million Euros, depending on the case, the main sources for CO2-EGS economic profitability comes from heat sale or CO2 storage itself.
The results of the EnerGizerS project provide knowledge for the development of Enhanced Geothermal System technology using supercritical carbon dioxide as the working medium (CO2- EGS). This is an innovative technology that combines aspects of clean geothermal energy utilization and CO2 sequestration for climate neutral energy supply. The results of the project bring us closer to building pilot CO2-EGS plants by identifying specific test sites in Poland - onshore location -Gorzów Block (Lower Permian volcanic rocks at the depth of 4100 - 4300 m bsl with temp.145°C) and in Norway - off- shore location - Åre formation on Norwegian Sea (sedimentary rocks at a depth of 4600-4800 m bsl, with temp.166°C). This was possible by identifying the key parameters for the effective use of the CO2 -EGS systems. For the selected sites, techno-economic and environmental assessment as well as modelling of geological reservoir and CO2-based topside systems for heat and power production were performed. For this purpose, the results of comprehensive laboratory tests of reservoirs rocks carried out in AGH lab were used as well as results of the experimental to determine the properties and behavior of CO2-EGS working fluids conducted in Sintef laboratories with the participation of a young scientist from Poland. The results indicate that it is possible to build CO2-EGS systems with powers from 0.4 MWel to 12MWel and 9 MWth with environmental and economic benefits. The proposed and investigated CO2-EGS cases brings a new perspective for the development and assessment of those novel geothermal energy systems. Locations are one of the most important aspects affecting project outcomes. The results of the study show that despite the original perspective of CO2-EGS systems being the new promising source electricity generation, the main sources for their economic profitability comes from heat sale or CO2 storage itself. Thus, when designing the systems, or selecting the locations (both from surface and subsurface point of view), it is important to acknowledge the main contributions to the economic justification and look for reservoirs with high-capacity for CO2 storage or onshore locations, where heat can be usefully utilized in direct manner. The project results can be used to develop both the geothermal and CCS sectors, providing knowledge in the context of CO2-EGS pilot plants in partner countries.
Summary of bilateral results
Bilateral partnership made it possible to fully achieve the goals of the project and provided an excellent opportunity for the exchange of experience and knowledge. 4 study visits were realized, providing a great opportunity to visit partner institutions and substantive discussions. The project has created a favourable circumstances for young scientist (AGH PhD student) who completed a 6-month internship working with a Norwegian team to conduct an experimental campaign in WP3. Polish-Norwegian teams worked together on solving research problems which resulted in joint publications. Practically in all tasks Polish-Norwegian cooperation is visible, and the deliverables are the result of it. Members of the team also participated in various conferences/industry events at the international level, but also at the national level where the activities of the Project Partners were presented. The cooperation has led to improved knowledge of EGS technology in many aspects. The achievement of all deliverables is the result of good cooperation between the project partners. Both the extensive knowledge of the Norwegian partners, e.g. with regard to CO2 behaviour, surface systems, local conditions and others, as well as the ability to carry out laboratory and model-based research, had a very positive impact on the project results and the experience of the Polish team members. Further cooperation is planned among the Polish-Norwegian team. In the framwork of Horizon Europe R&D project BioNETzero is implemented involving AGH and Sintef. The EnerGizerS project has made the participating teams even more visible as CCUS and geothermal energy teams. As a result, members of the AGH team were invited to participate in international projects implemented under the program: HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-02-05 – project URGENT as well as to join an ongoing project implemented under the HORIZON-program – acronym HOCLOOP.