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De-risking Deep Geothermal Energy Projects: The Deep and GeoTwins Approach

Description: 

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), unlike conventional hydrothermal geothermal systems, exploit geothermal resources through hydraulic stimulation that improves the permeability of the reservoir to create a heat exchanger. Induced seismicity is, in EGS projects, not an undesired by-product but a necessary tool. The art of successful EGS stimulation lies in creating an economically viable heat exchanger in the deep underground while avoiding larger and potentially damaging earthquakes. Especially in urbanised areas, deep geothermal resources can only be exploited using EGS technology if induced seismicity is adequately managed and controlled. This talk will review the progress made in induced seismicity monitoring, forecasting, and mitigation strategies, showcasing the results of the ECfunded projects DEEP and GeoTwins (www.deepgeothermal.org) that demonstrated innovative induced seismicity monitoring and forecasting approaches combining conventional sensors, DAS and Deep Learning approaches. Our current aim is to build up digital twins of deep geothermal systems for reservoir optimisation, de-risking and risk mitigation. We show applications from the Utah FORGE site as well as the BedrettoLab in Switzerland, and an outlook to upcoming project and next frontiers.

Session: Seismology for the Energy Transition - I

Type: Oral

Date: 4/16/2025

Presentation Time: 04:30 PM (local time)

Presenting Author: Stefan

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

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