Efficiency and Safety in Geothermal Operations

ended

How to operate a geothermal system in the most efficient and safe manner? This is the most important and urgent question after a geothermal resource has been identified. EASYGO will answer that question from different perspectives and give high-level training for geothermal operations. The EASYGO programme connects academia, industry and real-scale research facilities to train tomorrow’s leading geothermal-energy experts. These future experts will improve the design and layout of geothermal systems and handle daily challenges during operations. Geothermal energy will play a key role in the energy transition as part of mitigating climate change. Policy makers demand solutions for a sustainable future energy supply. Tackling the challenges of sustainable geothermal operations requires an interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach. Integrating geoscientific and engineering drives technology innovation that will be tested at operational sites. EASYGO combines various research projects from these fields under in situ conditions, using large-scale infrastructure available to all researchers. To achieve the main objective, we will work on the whole chain of geothermal operations, from production to power-plant engineering to injection. We will develop novel monitoring concepts, perform real-time simulations, develop system components, assess novel concepts for operations and test operational parameters at the field scale. Our ESRs will work on a specifically identified project but will learn aspects of the entire geothermal operation chain in an outstanding training programme. The mobility plan of EASYGO envisages each ESR will have at least one academic secondment and one industrial secondment. The outstanding training programme is complementary to the excellent research plan. ESRs will meet every six months for an intersectoral training week on related topics and soft skills.