Pitch
A variant of existing geothermal technology using a closed loop ultra-deep well to allow for use anywhere on the planet
Description
Summary
Direction drilling techniques used within the oil and gas sector can be used to drill a U shaped well.
Temperature rises by approximately 25-20 degrees per kilometre depth, therefore a 10km well should be 250-300 degrees
With suitable non-return valve(s) water can be pumped in one end of the well and through conduction heated to produce steam emerging from the other end.
The steam can then be used to drive turbines to generate electricity and the water recycled back into the well.
The difference between this and conventional hydrothermal power is depth, if successful it would allow power generation anywhere on the planet - although not as cheaply as conversional combined cycle power plants.
Is this proposal for a practice or a project?
Project
What actions do you propose?
Technical feasibility study to determine:
1. Depth, bore diameter and number of wells required for a given energy output
2. Potential cooling affect - how long will the ground stay at a high enough temperature if heat is continually extracted and therefore how long would the well need to be stopped for to allow heat to build back up - would this mean using multiple well on an alternate basis for example
3. Likely Capex and Opex costs
Who will take these actions?
Technical experts in geothermal energy
Where will these actions be taken?
Not important
In addition, specify the country or countries where these actions will be taken.
No country selected
Country 2
No country selected
Country 3
No country selected
Country 4
No country selected
Country 5
No country selected
Impact/Benefits
What impact will these actions have on greenhouse gas emissions and/or adapting to climate change?
Aside from any carbon emissions as a result of construction, future power generation is zero carbon.
What are other key benefits?
Costs/Challenges
What are the proposal’s projected costs?
A basic U shaped well 10km deep and 2km lateral distance is approximately 21km long. Onshore drilling and completion costs are in the order of $750/ft making the total cost of the well c.$52m.
Assuming another $60m for a steam turbine and $10m for survey and engineering costs.
This makes upfront costs c.$130m with estimated annual running cost of $5m.
Timeline
Feasibility study 3 months
Engineering and planning 9 months
Drilling and completion and turbine installation 9 months
About the author(s)
Related Proposals
References
https://www.rt.com/business/exxon-sakhalin-well-record-727
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_gradient
https://www.eia.gov/analysis/studies/drilling/pdf/upstream.pdf
https://pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/db/WGC/papers/WGC/2015/04022.pdf
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