Geothermal Energy

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AM_450409

Course Objective

• To provide students with an overview of the current status and future outlook of geothermal exploration and production (heat/cold and electricity)
• To assess its impact in the energy-transition challenge, being a major alternative source for renewable energy.
• To provide insight into the energetical and financial aspects of different ways to supply thermal energy to buildings and processes.
• To review main categories of operational geothermal systems, the governing processes and relevant boundary conditions, linking hydrogeology to subsurface understanding
• To assess exploration concepts of geothermal prospecting and see how they can be applied to future subsurface analysis and energy supply prediction An additional practical aim is to improve your communication and writing skills and to work in multi-disciplinary teams

Course Content

This course provides a comprehensive overview of existing systems that are used to supply thermal energy to buildings and/or industrial processes. The course starts with a general introduction to the history of geothermal exploration and production, what kind of geothermal systems exist, and how these are linked to particular subsurface and financial conditions. In addition, it is explained what benefits of geothermal energy exist compared to other energy resources. Subsequently different aspects are explained in more detail. We will first concentrate on the demand side, by showing how the heat and cold demand of a building can be provided by different types of energy systems and how the financial aspects of the different options relate. Later on, we will focus on the hydrogeological parameters that contribute to successful geothermal systems. This is achieved through a review of several such systems, including borehole heat exchangers (closed loop systems), aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES or open loop systems) and systems for the production of deep geothermal heat for heating and/or electricity production (enhanced geothermal systems). Special emphasis is placed on the relation of subsurface conditions and operational excellence. During the course the students are put in the role of consultants that have to choose an optimal solution for the customer. A business case is built in which different geothermal options have to be considered and compared to a conventional solution for climate control in the buildings concerned.

Teaching Methods

The course uses two different methods: Oral lessons in the form of lectures and tutorials/seminars (distributed equally) where various topics are presented by the lecturer and discussed in common with the students. Students must be aware that the content of this course is difficult to find in one-two textbooks. Therefore, understanding the handouts is essential. Our advice is to attend the oral lessons during class hours. Further students are expected to read and present material from selected papers in a short presentation and abstract. Practicals: this course includes a number of practical exercises and a few case studies. Exercises and case studies will be worked out individually and in small groups and discussed in class. The rule of thumb: this is individual work, unless otherwise specifically noted.

Method of Assessment

The final mark is made up of two assignments (15% each), a presentation(20 %), and a case studie (50%).The practicals, the presentation and the case studie will cover thetopics presented during the course.

Literature

All materials will be digitally provided through Canvas

Additional Information

Students are on a steep learning curve of integrated techno-financial-policy concepts. Mental alertness and the flexibility are thereforeessential to gaining maximum benefit from the course!

Entry Requirements

To facilitate a rapid in
- depth study at MSc level, students are required to know in advance basic notions of hydrogeology (groundwater flow, impact of wells on hydraulic head) which were already studied during their BSc curriculum. Furthermore, sufficient knowledge of mathematics and MS Office (Excel) is required. Tailor-made intro lectures are offered for 'basic Hydro(geo)logy' and '(Dutch) subsurface' for resp. non-hydrologists and non-earth scientists