2nd Edition

Geothermal Energy Renewable Energy and the Environment, Second Edition

By William E. Glassley Copyright 2015
    424 Pages 20 Color & 195 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    An In-Depth Introduction to Geothermal Energy

    Addressing significant changes in the energy markets since the first edition, Geothermal Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment, Second Edition expounds on the geothermal industry, exploring the expansion, growth, and development of geothermal systems. This text covers every area of geothermal energy, including environmental and economic issues, and technological advancements.

    Considers the Vast Technological Achievements within the Geothermal Industry

    Factoring in new concepts for distributed generation, hybrid technologies, and the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), the book incorporates real-world examples designed to illustrate the key aspects of chapter topics. It provides case studies in nearly every chapter, and includes examples from the U.S., Iceland, France, and Japan.

    • Contains comprehensive, quantitative, and rigorous treatment of the geology, geochemistry, and geophysics of geothermal resources, and how they impact exploration, resource assessment, and operations
    • Provides a state-of-the-art description of current Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)
    • Presents an objective description of the most recent economic comparisons including all energy resources
    • Covers environmental issues of energy use and quantitative descriptions of the relative impacts of all renewable and non-renewable energy resources
    • Describes geothermal resources from a global perspective, including direct use and geothermal heat pump applications, as well as power production

    Geothermal Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment, Second Edition can be used for undergraduate coursework; as a reference for designers, planners, engineers, and architects; and as a source of background material for policymakers, investors, and regulators.

    Introduction

    Global Energy Landscape

    Geothermal Energy as a Renewable Energy Source

    Electrical Demand and the Characteristics of Geothermal Energy

    How This Book Is Organized

    Synopsis

    Problems

    References

    Further Information Sources

    Sources of Geothermal Heat: The Earth as a Heat Engine

    Origin of the Earth’s Heat

    Transfer of Heat in the Earth

    Plate Tectonics and the Distribution of Geothermal Resources

    Classification of Geothermal Systems by Their Geological Context

    Availability and Utilization of Geothermal Energy

    Synopsis

    Case Studies

    Problems

    References

    Further Information

    Thermodynamics and Geothermal Systems

    First Law of Thermodynamics: Equivalence of Heat and Work and the

    Conservation of Energy

    Second Law of Thermodynamics: Inevitable Increase of Entropy

    Gibbs Function and Gibbs Energy (ΔG)

    Thermodynamic Efficiency

    Synopsis

    Case Study: Thermodynamic Properties of Water and Rock–Water Interaction

    Problems

    References

    Additional Sources

    Subsurface Fluid Flow: Hydrology of Geothermal Systems

    General Model for Subsurface Fluid Flow

    Matrix Porosity and Permeability

    Fracture Porosity and Permeability

    Effect of Depth on Porosity and Permeability

    Hydrologic Properties of Real Geothermal Systems

    Synopsis

    Case Study: Long Valley Caldera

    Problems

    References

    Further Information Sources

    Chemistry of Geothermal Fluids

    Why the Geochemistry of Geothermal Fluids Matters

    Water as a Chemical Agent

    Components and Chemical Systems

    Saturation and the Law of Mass Action

    Kinetics of Geothermal Reactions

    Gases in Geothermal Fluids

    Fluid Flow and Mixing in Natural Systems

    Simulating Reactive Transport

    Synopsis

    Case Study: Silica System

    Problems

    References

    Exploring for Geothermal Systems: Geology and Geochemistry

    Classifying Geothermal Environments

    Classification of Geothermal Systems from a Regional Perspective

    Origin of Geothermal Fluids: Significance for Resource Exploration and Assessment

    Surface Manifestations

    Fluid Geochemistry as an Exploration Tool

    Fluid Inclusions

    Alteration and Exploration

    Synopsis

    Problems

    References

    Additional Information Sources

    Exploring for Geothermal Systems: Geophysical Methods

    Geophysics as an Exploration Tool: Aeromagnetic Surveys

    Resistivity and Magnetotelluric Surveys

    Gravity Surveys

    Seismicity and Reflection Seismology

    Temperature Measurements

    Remote Sensing as an Exploration Tool: Promising New Technique

    Synopsis

    Case Study: Fallon, Nevada

    Problems

    References

    Additional Information Sources

    Resource Assessments

    Assessing a Geothermal Resource

    Resource Base and Reserves

    Determining the Reservoir Volume

    Establishing the Reservoir Heat Content

    Significance of Heat Capacity

    Efficiency of Heat Extraction

    Synopsis

    Case Study: Establishing the US Geothermal Resource

    Problems

    References

    Further Information Sources

    Drilling

    Background

    Drilling for Geothermal Heat Pump and Direct-Use Applications

    Drilling for Geothermal Fluids for Power Generation

    Case Study: Kakkonda, Japan

    Problems

    References

    Further Information Sources

    Generating Power Using Geothermal Resources

    History of Geothermal Power Production

    Flexibility and Consistency

    General Features of Geothermal Power Generation Facilities

    Dry Steam Resources

    Hydrothermal Systems

    Binary Generation Facilities: Organic Rankine Cycle

    Synopsis

    Case Study: The Geysers

    Problems

    References

    Further Information

    Low-Temperature Geothermal Resources: Geothermal Heat Pumps

    Basic Heat Pump Principles

    Thermodynamics of Heat Pumps

    Coefficient of Performance and Energy Efficiency Ratio

    Near-Surface Thermal Reservoir

    Thermal Conductivity and Heat Capacity of Soils

    Design Considerations for Closed-Loop Systems

    Local Variability: Why Measurements Matter

    Synopsis

    Case Study: Weaverville and a US Cost–Benefit Analysis of GHP Installation

    Problems

    References

    Further Information

    Direct Use of Geothermal Resources

    Assessing the Magnitude of the Direct-Use Reservoir

    Nature of Thermal Energy Transfer

    Establishing the Feasibility of a Direct-Use Application

    District Heating

    Aquaculture

    Drying

    Synopsis

    Case Study: Canby Cascaded System

    Problems

    References

    Further Information

    Enhanced Geothermal Systems

    Concept of EGS

    Magnitude of EGS

    Characteristics of EGS

    History of Enhanced Geothermal System Development

    Reservoir Engineering

    Reservoir Management for Sustainability

    Synopsis

    Case Study: Newberry Volcano Enhanced Geothermal System

    Demonstration Project

    Problems

    References

    Additional Information Sources

    Use of Geothermal Resources: Economic Considerations

    Economics of Geothermal Power

    Economics of R&D Investment in Geothermal Energy

    Developing a Geothermal Project

    Alternative Economic Models

    Synopsis

    Problems

    References

    Further Information

    Use of Geothermal Resources: Environmental Considerations

    Emissions

    Solute Load and Resource Recovery

    Seismicity

    Ground Subsidence

    Water Use

    Land Use

    Synopsis

    Problems

    References

    Further Information

    Geothermal Energy Future: Possibilities and Issues

    History of Geothermal Emergence in the Market Place

    Geopressured Resources

    Supercritical Geothermal Fluids

    Thermoelectric Generation

    Flexible Generation

    Hybrid Geothermal Systems

    Synopsis

    Problems

    References

    Further Information

    Index

    Biography

    William Glassley is the executive director of the California Geothermal Energy Collaborative. He has more than 30 years’ experience in R&D in the earth sciences. The focus of his research has been in areas related to geothermal processes. He has held faculty appointments at several academic institutions. He was on the staff of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for more than 20 years. He currently is with the University of California. The author of more than 50 research articles in international journals, he has also participated on numerous national and international panels and working groups, and holds a doctorate in geochemistry.

    "… a well-written all-inclusive updated version of the first edition… presents advances in understanding the economics and valuation of resources, particularly the expanded attention to life cycle analysis on energy returned on energy invested approaches."
    Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2015

    "This is a very well written book and is very useful for both scientists as well as technologists as the ready reference for geothermal energy. It deals with every possible latest aspect with basic concepts along with the mathematical description. It will certainly be very handy for the planner as well as students who like to tap the potential of alternate energy resource."
    —Professor Sandeep Singh, IIT Roorkee, India

    "Great introductory treatment of all aspects of geothermal energy – from sources and occurrences, to exploration and utilization, to economic and environmental aspects, and to the future possibilities."
    —Andrew Chiasson, Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, USA

    "This book provides a thorough, solid grounding in the basic physical science needed to understand geothermal energy. This is not always the case in writings on renewable energy! The reader of Glassley’s book will come away with a clear understanding of basic thermodynamics, geophysics, and geochemistry at a fundamental level. That leads to a deeper appreciation for the technological needs and challenges of geothermal energy systems. The book is quantitative throughout—an essential feature if one is to grasp the true potential of any renewable energy resource."
    —Richard Wolfson, Professor of Physics & Environmental Studies, Middlebury College, Vermont, USA

    "…provides an excellent general discussion of the major elements in this new aspect of geothermal energy development such as the "magnitude" and "characteristics" of these systems for the non-geoscientist as well as undergraduate and graduate science students."
    —Joe Iovenitti, Consulting Geoscientist, USA

    "This textbook will help educate the next generation of geothermal practitioners who will implement the solutions needed to grow geothermal energy so that it becomes a key part of the future renewable energy mix."
    —Trenton Cladouhos, AltaRock Energy, Inc., Seattle, Washington, USA