Feasibility Study of Carbon Dioxide Plume Geothermal Systems in Germany?Utilising Carbon Dioxide for Energy

Kevin McDonnell, Levente Molnár, Mary Harty and Fionnuala Murphy
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Kevin McDonnell: School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Levente Molnár: School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Mary Harty: School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Fionnuala Murphy: School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-24

Abstract: To manage greenhouse gas emissions, directives on renewable energy usage have been developed by the European Commission with the objective to reduce overall emissions by 40% by 2030 which presents a significant potential for renewable energy sources. At the same time, it is a challenge for these energy technologies which can only be solved by integrated solutions. Carbon capture and storage combined with geothermal energy could serve as a novel approach to reduce CO 2 emissions and at the same time facilitate some of the negative impacts associated with fossil fuel-based power plants. This study focuses on the technical and economic feasibility of combining these technologies based on a published model, data and market research. In the European Union, Germany is the most energy intensive country, and it also has an untapped potential for geothermal energy in the northern as well as the western regions. The CO 2 plume geothermal system using supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid can be utilized in natural high porosity (10–20%) and permeability (2.5 × 10 −14 –8.4 × 10 −16 m 2 ) reservoirs with temperatures as low as 65.8 °C. The feasibility of the project was assessed based on market conditions and policy support in Germany as well as the geologic background of sandstone reservoirs near industrialized areas (Dortmund, Frankfurt) and the possibility of carbon capture integration and CO 2 injection. The levelized cost of electricity for a base case results in € 0.060/kWh. Optimal system type was assessed in a system optimization model. The project has a potential to supply 6600/12000 households with clean energy (electricity/heat) and sequester carbon dioxide at the same time. A trading scheme for carbon dioxide further expands potential opportunities.

Keywords: geothermal; carbon dioxide; sequestration; Germany; coal; carbon capture and utilization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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