Axpo Group’s Post

Our new PPA Times is out! This time we discussed with Andy Sommer how fundamental modelling is changing, whether one can forecast negative prices and his recommendations for renewable investors and IPPs that want to do more modeling themselves. And we cover as always the trends, deals mad prices in The PPA space Enjoy the read!

Growing Gigawatts From the Ground-Up When only one gigawatt-hour has the ability to power 876,000 homes, the sheer scale of the current geothermal industry is already impressive- and growing fast! #Geothermal #Industry #Explore #Technology #Engineering #CleanEnergy

Beneath the iconic streets of Paris lies a hidden gem: a vast geothermal reservoir providing low-energy heating to over 250,000 homes and even the Orly airport. Researchers from New Zealand's University of Auckland, in collaboration with the geothermal consulting company Geofluid, used advanced modeling techniques to create a detailed picture of the reservoirs to optimize this renewable energy source. The team used Seequent's Leapfrog Geothermal to build a #geological model that helps understand pressure and temperature changes within the reservoir. This visualization tool is helping ensure sustainable management of the geothermal basin, contributing to Paris's zero-carbon heating goals. #engineering #subsurface #GeothermalEnergy #energy #bentleysystems

Are you interested in learning more about the latest research on exploring new opportunities for geothermal heat storage? Join us in-person or virtually at our hybrid Summit 2024, for the talk by Maren Brehme from ETH Zürich on November 6, 2024, 9:30 am (MST). This and other interesting talks will be presented during our two days hybrid Summit 2024 on November 5 & 6, 2024 at The Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff, Alberta, Canada. Can’t make it in-person? Register as a Virtual Attendee to join the live webinar instead! Registration is free!   For more information about our full agenda or to register click the link below. https://lnkd.in/gVcr4nqB Abstract: Exploring new opportunities for geothermal heat storage The recently funded project BEACH proposes to tackle the challenges of the energy transition with demonstrating a new technology for storing and retrieving energy in the subsurface. The objective is to use fractured geothermal reservoirs, to show that they are suitable for energy storage to compensate for seasonal phases of energy demand surplus. BEACH will showcase the technology at the fully monitored and controlled geothermal reservoir in the Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergy (BedrettoLab) before rolling out the technology to other sites. The work and findings are closely shared with industry partners to develop a market ready technology. This pilot project will support the energy strategy in long-term by showing the feasibility of geothermal energy storage in fractured crystalline rocks (FTES-fractured thermal energy storage). #energy #research #geothermal #exploration #engineering #heatstorage #energytransition #subsurface #reservoirs #thermal #energystorage #conference #event #free #freeevent #innovation #future

𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬&𝐁𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐅𝐎𝐒 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 🔌🔮 Geothermal energy is a game-changer for sustainable power, but it comes with unique challenges. That’s where Wires&Bytes steps in with our specialized cables designed for 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐃𝐅𝐎𝐒) technology. DFOS is a cutting-edge approach to monitoring geothermal wells, providing continuous, real-time data that helps optimize performance and ensure safety. Our cables support all DFOS types: 🔊 𝐃𝐀𝐒 (𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠): Detects and analyzes acoustic signals, making it possible to monitor well integrity and identify issues like leaks or blockages. 🌡️ 𝐃𝐓𝐒 (𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠): Measures temperature profiles along the length of the well, helping to assess heat flow and detect temperature anomalies that could indicate problems. 🏚️ 𝐃𝐒𝐒 (𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠): Monitors strain and deformation, ensuring the structural integrity of the well over time. Wires&Bytes cables are built to excel in the demanding conditions of geothermal environments. Whether it’s shallow or deep deployments, our cables are up to the task, providing reliable data at temperatures exceeding 350°C. And with compact designs down to 1/8 inch in diameter, they fit seamlessly into even the most constrained spaces. Our cables are the backbone of advanced geothermal monitoring—delivering the data you need to make informed decisions and power the future. Got questions? We’ve got cables. Let’s connect 👉 https://lnkd.in/eesYARV #GeothermalEnergy #DFOS #DAS #DTS #DSS #WiresAndBytes #fiberopticsensing

The Future of the #oilfield: How #technology will boost oil well performance & sustainability We dive into the oil field of the future and where technology is taking it next, from drone- and robot-based exploration to carbon source capture and #geothermal wells. The oil field of the future will be built on key technologies such as: Drone- and robot-based exploration to reduce capital costs and time to production Nanosatellite monitoring to reduce ongoing operation & and maintenance costs Aerial gas leak detection to detect and address methane emissions Carbon source capture to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions Geothermal wells to increase oil field productivity and sustainability Below, we dive into these technologies: how they work, who has an edge, and how they’re shaping the future of #upstream #oilandgas. What’s at stake? WHY IT MATTERS While the world transitions to more sustainable forms of energy, we continue to get the majority of our energy from oil and gas. Demand for fossil fuels is expected to continue to rise in the coming years, with natural gas demand projected to peak by 2035, according to McKinsey. However, oil & and gas producers have been shaken up by market volatility in recent years. As a result, they are ramping up their digitization efforts to boost efficiency and maximize return on capital for investors. Given these efforts, estimates indicate that the global digital oil field market size will surpass $54B by 2030. WHY NOW Due to the recent establishment of corporate sustainability targets as well as a push from shareholder activists, oil & and gas companies are looking to decrease the carbon intensity of their operations. Digitization efforts have the potential to help these companies reduce their carbon emissions, as a more efficient production process inherently uses less energy overall. Additionally, advancements in renewable energy sources (e.g., geothermal) are making it possible for some oil field operations to tap into carbon-free #energy. #oilandgasindustry #drilling #reservoirengineering #bussinessdevelopment #marketing #petroleumengineering #chemicalengineering #geology #geoscience

It’s time to ”Heating up the Market”!   I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining as a keynote speaker at the prestigious "Heating up the Market" seminar today.   This seminar, hosted by SPE Aberdeen has consistently been at the forefront of fostering innovation, collaboration, and advancements in the science, engineering, and economics of Geothermal Energy production.   I am beyond excited to share insights, learn from fellow experts, and contribute to the dialogue that moves us closer to unlocking the full potential of geothermal energy.   Let's ignite the spark of innovation together and transform the way we think about energy, for a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable tomorrow.   Will you be there?     #GeothermalEnergy #Sustainability #Innovation #HeatingUpTheMarket

Our latest 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗞 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. This Premium Content is the presentation made by Simon Todd at the 10th Annual UK Geothermal Symposium in November 2023. In this presentation Simon updated Causeway Energies's #geothermal project archetypes to note the role of geothermal in energy storage and the increasing role of heat pumps, even when the #resources are “deep”, even greater than 1000 m. The results of techno-economic modelling of #openloop and #closedloop systems at various depth scenarios show that Deep closed loop Borehole Heat Exchangers (DBHE) are unlikely to be cost competitive any time soon. In contrast, Causeway is developing proprietary methods and systems to utilise low grade (< 25 ºC) heat to replace large fossil gas #heating systems in urban settings.  We’re seeking clients with such a challenge to collaborate on First of a Kind (FOAK) projects. #geothermalenergy #heatpumps #energytransition #decarbonisation #umby #heatingandcooling #energystorage #energysecurity #energyinnovation #FOAK https://lnkd.in/dgayHsGU

𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘀: 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 This is the presentation slides from my talk at the 10th Annual UK Geothermal Symposium last November. In the talk I shared a couple of updates to Causeway's work including on our projects. I also shared some of the research we have been doing into #geothermal open loop and closed loop systems over the last 3 years. Perhaps the most important conclusion we drew in this work was that Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers (DBHE), a closed loop system, are very unlikely to be economic deeper than 1 km depth any time soon anywhere in the UK and Ireland. Our first #pivot as a #startup was to switch focus to the #decarbonisation of #heat rather than #power with geothermal. Our second pivot was triggered by a deeper appreciation of the techno-economics of DBHEs, which prior to this we had considered as an opportunity for "geothermal anywhere". We observed how current unit drilling costs escalate in a non-linear fashion below about 1 km while the extra heat you get by drilling deeper stays linear. That caused us to start looking into ways to make use of low grade heat, for example geothermal from less than 1 km, and to be always focused on the clients' challenges. So our second pivot has made us an infrastructure startup with tech rather than a tech startup with projects. There is so much we can do with this approach, right now, with proven technologies. Further #innovation just widens the playing field. Deep geothermal will grow in the UK and Ireland, for sure. But we can do so much with shallower resources while we get there. Particular thanks to Alison Isherwood, Helen Doran, Huw Williams, Niall McCormack for their contributions to the thinking on this journey. #energytransition #energypolicy #energyinnovation #geothermalenergy

The Renewable Energy Directive sets rules for the EU to achieve a target of 32% renewables by 2030. Geothermal energy stands out as a promising technology. A good understanding of the geology and #hydrogeology plays a pivotal role within some types of geothermal energy⚡or heating🌡️ & cooling ❄️ systems to optimise the performance and ensure the long-term viability. Shallow open-loop geothermal projects (ATES) or mine geothermal heat storage projects (MTES) are some examples that require knowledge of #groundwater flows, which can be achieved through in-situ thermal and/or fluorescent dye tracer tests to feed the models. Let's dive into the pros and cons of both tracer tests 💡! 🧪 Fluorescent dye tracer tests 👍 PROS ▶️ High sensitivity: precise tracking of groundwater movement. ▶️ Non-invasive: minimize disruption to the environment and reduce costs. ▶️ Real-time monitoring: rapid assessment and adjustment of geothermal systems, optimizing efficiency. 👎 CONS ▶️ Limited thermal info: thermal behavior is influenced by, but not equal to, water movement, potentially missing crucial data for thermal optimization. ▶️ Thermal influence on dyes: fluorescent dyes can be thermally or chemically unstable, leading to rapid decay (mostly an issue in high temperature geothermal systems or in water with very low pH). 🔥 Thermal tracer tests 👍 PROS ▶️ Thermal profiling: direct info on heat transfer mechanisms, offering valuable data for optimizing geothermal system design and operation. ▶️ Non-invasive: thermal tracing has a minimal environmental risk and is not influenced by physicochemical factors compared to dye tracers. 👎 CONS ▶️ Limited sensitivity: lower sensitivity compared to fluorescent dyes, requiring larger injection volumes or longer monitoring periods. ▶️ Complex interpretation: interpretation of thermal tracer test data can be complex, requiring expertise in heat transfer modeling. ▶️ Higher cost: thermal tracer tests might require a continuous injection of heat at a certain temperature for a longer period of time, requiring a lot of energy and driving up the cost. #geothermal #geothermalenergy #minewater #heatingandcooling Image credit: GeoERA MUSE project (https://lnkd.in/d_seQ8Ve) factsheets on shallow geothermal energy concepts 👉https://lnkd.in/dy_j4iUv