Maren Brehme

ETH Zurich

Geothermal exploration and operation

Abstract geothermal energy is a key contributor to the successful energy transition worldwide as part of mitigating climate change. In order to utilize this resource, a massive extension of geothermal energy use is needed. Given these ambitious expansion plans, there is an urgent need for geothermal expert understanding of geothermal systems.

Studies on the geothermal energy potential and on the usage of an underwater drone will be reported during this presentation. The exploration of geothermal fields beneath lakes is a new focus area of the EXPO group. Therefore, a new underwater drone was added to the field laboratory and field campaigns were held at Lake Zurich-Switzerland, Lake Ranau-Indonesia and Lake Cadagno-Switzerland. All sites show promising results for the geothermal activity in those areas and exhibit the potential of data from subsea.

Another approach to explore new geothermal sites is the country wide study of geothermal potentials for different technologies. The geothermal potential of Switzerland was studied for hydrothermal, EGS and AGS systems based on subsurface geological data combined with surface infrastructure needed to provide heat or electricity to local users.