Europe, from a pioneering role to the leading edge of R&D with a global perspective for

the future of geothermal energy

P. Ledru, L. Rybach, T. Megel

Engine Mid-term Conference 10-12 January 2007

GFZ Potsdam, GermanyOpening Session

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 2

The strategy of the European commission and the R&D programs

> Directive 2001/77/EC : doubling the contribution of renewable energy from 6 to 12% of total energy consumption by 2010.

> A total budget of 46,6M€ over 4 years and a support of 17,6M€ from EU (FP 6) dedicated to geothermal energy

> The White Paper (Community Strategy and Action Plan, 1997) : doubling (500 to 1000 MW) of electricity production capacity, increase from 750 to 25000 MW for heat production capacity of geothermal origin by 2010

Soultz-sous-forêt EGS

Larderello

Groß Schönebeck

Basel EGS

Electricity production, co generation

Enhanced Geothermal Systems test sites

Guadalupe

Açores

District heating

Paris Basin

Izmir

Bansko, Kocani, Gevgelia

Cozia-CalciulataAltheim

Groß Schönebeck

Soultz

Larderello, 1904-2006

Altheim

Ferrara

Neustdat-Glewe

Neustadt-Glewe

Podhale, Mszczonów, Pyrzyce, Uniejów Slomniki

Alvsby

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Pyrzyce

Heat Pumps

Overview of the geothermal activity in Europe

Icelandic Deep Drilling project

Iceland

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 4

Geothermal power and direct use production

Geothermal power capacity 2004, 1179 MWE

Geothermal direct use capacity 200513626 MWt

Others: 37,2

Italy: 791

Iceland: 202

Compilation, L. Rybach, GRC 2006

Iceland: 1844

Others: 3964

Sweden: 3840

Turkey: 1495

Switzerland: 582

Italy: 607

Hungary: 694

Norway: 600France: 19

Russia: 79

Germany: 504Austria: 352

Denmark: 330

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 5

FP6 projects: a significant R&D investment

CAMELIA: Multigeneration Energy Systems with Locally Integrated Applications

GroundHit: Ground Coupled Heat Pumps of High

Technology

Low Bin: Binary

systems

EGS (STREP): Soultz

HITI (STREP): High-Temperature Equipment

ENGINE Co-ordination Action

I-GET: Integrated Geophysical ExplorationTechnology

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 6

The strategy of the European commission and the R&D programs

> Directive 2001/77/EC : doubling the contribution of renewable energy from 6 to 12% of total energy consumption by 2010.

> A total budget of 46,6M€ over 4 years and a support of 17,6M€ from EU (6th FP) dedicated to geothermal energy

> The White Paper (Community Strategy and Action Plan, 1997) : doubling (500 to 1000 MW) of electricity production capacity, increase from 750 to 25000 MW for heat production capacity of geothermal origin by 2010

> To be compared with in 2004: electricity production capacity: 1 1179 MWE, and in 2005: heat production capacity 13626 MWt

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 7

Weakness/strength of EU R&D

> A lack of political support, youth and growth defaults of geothermal energy (corrosion, H2S gas emission, sustainability…)

> The development of geothermal heat pumps market and cost-efficient geothermal devices that have overpassed these difficulties

> The geothermal energy participates to the global debate about greenhouse effect and energy supply

> A clear definition of what is R&D and industrial matter> A stimulating pressure to fit with the needs of industry and face the

scientific challenges > Restricted market that hinder investment of major companies> EU is still in a pioneer position for experiments and R&D (linked to

the high investment of successive FP)> Because of the wide range of sources and applications, dispersion

of manpower and R&D funds> Because of the wide range of sources and applications,

complementary skills and transfer of knowledge and know-how exist

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 8

State of the art: ENGINE, the right project at the right time ?

> A sound scientific and technical knowledge acquired in Europe during the 20th century. Conventional geothermal energy still benefits from ongoing improvements in conversion, heat distribution… and should become increasingly cost-effective (rise in energy prices, new environmental constraints, greenhouse gas reduction...)

> Is there a need for long-term collaborative research on international projects to develop Enhanced Geothermal Systems?

> What could be the role of ENGINE?

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 9

The need of an international strategy

> There is a renewed interest for geothermal energy from deep sources

> the Soultz experiment is considered as the international reference by the Australian investors and American scientists for whom EGS is one of the few renewable energy that can provide continuous base load-power.

> The co-ordination of these short and long term projects requires a well organised scientific community at an international level, a restored political support and good links with industry and stakeholders.

As well as for scientist from Chile…

Hot Rock Projects in South Australia (from B. Goldstein)

• 11 GEL / GELA Holders

• 92 GELs / GELAs over 43,440 km²

• The 5-year GEL exploration and demonstration work programs correspond to $500+ million, and this excludes up-scaling and deployment projects

• Can benefit from Commonwealth renewable energy initiatives:

1. Renewable Energy Certificates

2. REDI Grants

3. Circa $500 million in Federal grants to demonstrate low emissions technologies

• Just 1 GEL (500 km²) has hot rock emission-free energy potential to yield electricity equivalent to several Snowy Mountain Hydro Schemes (1 SM approx = 550 MWe)

Blanche 1

Habanero 1,2

Paralana 1B

Yerila 1

Heat Flow 1,3,4

Petratherm

Eden

Eden

Eden

Eden

Scopenergy

Pacific Hydro

Petratherm

Sedimentary basin (thermal blanket)

Geodynamics

South Australian heat flow anomaly

200 km

Geodynamics

GeothermalRegional power

grid

Eden

Proactive

Green Rock

Osiris

GeothermalOrigin

Proactive

Proactive

Torrens

Torrens

Green Rock

Petratherm

Osiris

Scopenergy Green Rock Eden (Tasman affiliate) Proactive Energy Origin Energy Resources

Geodynamics Petratherm =MNGI Pacific Hydro Osiris Energy Geothermal Resources Torrens Energy

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 11

Future geothermal prospects in UK (J. Busby, 2006, BGS)

Could we exploit thegeothermal potential of NorthSea oil fields as their oil runsout? Some have reservoirtemperatures over 100º Cand so electricity generationmight be possible.

Should we reconsider HDR in the light of new

technology? Cornwall? or possibly reassess the

eastern Highlands of Scotland?

Iceland could become a net exporter of green electricity.

Should we contribute to

understanding their resources as we could benefit?

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 12

Possible contribution of international collaborative research to transform Weakness into Strength

> A lack of political support> Making our voice louder to be heard for raising funding and showing

that EGS can provide continuous base load-power > Showing the contribution of geothermal energy to the energy supply

politics and reduction of greenhouse effect> Showing the use of cost-efficient geothermal energy (medium

enthalpy, GHP, cooling and heating..)> Develop a real strategy of communication> Restricted market that hinder investment of major companies> Promoting the use of the different sources of geothermal energy> Including the development of geothermal fields from third countries

within an international perspective > Developing the potential of geothermal recovery from oil and gas field> Ensuring the success of on going experiments> Because of the wide range of sources and applications, dispersion of

manpower and R&D funds> Integrate complementary skills and ensure transfer of knowledge and

know-how within a supported international cooperation action

Mid-term conference, 10-12 January 2007, Potsdam > 13

ENGINE, the right project at the right time

> A sound scientific and technical knowledge acquired in Europe during the 20th century.

> A need for long-term collaborative research on international projects to develop Enhanced Geothermal Systems: reference to the Soultz experiment for promoting new projects in Australia, Kamtchaka, Chile…, extension of existing geothermal fields, geothermal recovery from existing oil and gas operations…

> ENGINE, along with other initiatives (European Commission, IEA-GIA, MIT expert panel, IGA, EGEC…) can contribute to the construction of an international strategy, consolidate the available information systems, propose spin-off projects that will receive the support of stakeholders, decision makers and private investors.