How do enhanced geothermal systems work?
Traditional geothermal power uses natural steam or very hot water trapped in deep rock formations. Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) inject water at high pressure into these deep rocks to re-open the natural fractures and allow hot water or steam to flow into extraction wells.
What is the most common type of geothermal system?
Flash steam plants
Flash steam plants are the most common type of geothermal power generation plants in operation today.
How deep are geothermal wells?
Geothermal Wells are typically anywhere from 150 feet deep to 400 feet deep. Some drilling companies have equipment that can drill wells deeper than 600 feet, but they are not typical.
What are the basic types of geothermal reservoirs?
The high-temperature reservoirs classified into several types based on the water temperature, pressure and phases. The reservoirs according the water phase: ⇨ warm water reservoirs, ⇨ hot water reservoirs, and ⇨ vapor-dominated reservoirs.
Can EGS generate energy continuously?
EGS technologies can function as baseload resources that produce power 24 hours a day. An EGS plant is expected to have an economical lifetime of 20–30 years using current technology.
What is the difference between enhanced geothermal system and hot dry rock?
Explanation: The main difference between enhanced geothermal system and hot dry rock is the presence of fluid. Enhanced geothermal system contains hot fluid but hot dry rock does not or contains negligible amounts. 8. It is created where there is hot rock but insufficient or little permeability of the fluid.
What fluid is used in geothermal?
There are two commonly used types of fluids that can be circulated through the ground loop system. The Standard Geothermal uses a mix of water, antifreeze (Propylene Glycol), and refrigerant. While, the Waterless Geothermal System uses R-410A refrigerant.
What are the three things we need for geothermal reservoir?
A geothermal resource requires three things to generate electricity:
- Fluid- sufficient fluid must exist in fractures and pore space within the rocks.
- Heat- the rocks must be hot.
- Permeability- fluids must come into contact with the heated rock via fractures and pore spaces.
Where are geothermal reservoirs?
Hot water or steam reservoirs deep in the earth that are accessed by drilling. Geothermal reservoirs located near the earth’s surface, mostly located in the western U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. The shallow ground near the Earth’s surface that maintains a relatively constant temperature of 50-60°F.