Conventional Geothermal Systems and Unconventional Geothermal Developments: An Overview

This paper provides an overview of conventional geothermal systems and unconventional geothermal developments as a common reference is needed for discussions between energy professionals. Conventional geothermal systems have the heat, permeability and fluid, requiring only drilling down to °C, normal heat flow or decaying radiogenic granite as heat sources, and used in district heating. Medium-temperature (MT) 100°C - 190°C, and high-temperature (HT) 190°C - 374°C resources are mostly at plate boundaries, with volcanic intrusive heat source, used mostly for electricity generation. Single well capacities are °C - 500°C) and a range of depths (1 m to 20 Km), but lack permeability or fluid, thus requiring stimulations for heat extraction by conduction. HVAC is 1 - 2 m deep and shallow geothermal down to 500 m in wells, both capturing °C, with °C are either advanced by geothermal developers at <7 Km depth (Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), drilling below brittle-ductile transition zones and under geothermal fields), or by the Oil & Gas industry (Advanced Geothermal Systems, heat recovery from hydrocarbon wells or reservoirs, Superhot Rock Geothermal, and millimeter-wave drilling down to 20 Km). Their primary aim is electricity generation, relying on closed-loops, but EGS uses fractures for heat exchange with earthquake risks during fracking. Unconventional approaches could be everywhere, with shallow geothermal already functional. The deeper and hotter unconventional alternatives are still experimental, overcoming costs and technological challenges to become fully commercial. Meanwhile, the conventional geothermal resources remain the most proven opportunities for investments and development.

Application of machine learning and deep learning in geothermal resource development: Trends and perspectives

This study delves into the latest advancements in machine learning and deep learning applications in geothermal resource development,extending the analysis up to 2024.It focuses on artificial intelligence's transformative role in the geothermal industry,analyzing recent literature from Scopus and Google Scholar to identify emerging trends,challenges,and future opportunities.The results reveal a marked increase in artificial intelligence(AI)applications,particularly in reservoir engineering,with significant advancements observed post‐2019.This study highlights AI's potential in enhancing drilling and exploration,emphasizing the integration of detailed case studies and practical applications.It also underscores the importance of ongoing research and tailored AI applications,in light of the rapid technological advancements and future trends in the field.

Current status and construction scheme of smart geothermal field technology

To address the key problems in the application of intelligent technology in geothermal development,smart application scenarios for geothermal development are constructed.The research status and existing challenges of intelligent technology in each scenario are analyzed,and the construction scheme of smart geothermal field system is proposed.The smart geothermal field is an organic integration of geothermal development engineering and advanced technologies such as the artificial intelligence.At present,the technology of smart geothermal field is still in the exploratory stage.It has been tested for application in scenarios such as intelligent characterization of geothermal reservoirs,dynamic intelligent simulation of geothermal reservoirs,intelligent optimization of development schemes and smart management of geothermal development.However,it still faces many problems,including the high computational cost,difficult real-time response,multiple solutions and strong model dependence,difficult real-time optimization of dynamic multi-constraints,and deep integration of multi-source data.The construction scheme of smart geothermal field system is proposed,which consists of modules including the full database,intelligent characterization,intelligent simulation and intelligent optimization control.The connection between modules is established through the data transmission and the model interaction.In the next stage,it is necessary to focus on the basic theories and key technologies in each module of the smart geothermal field system,to accelerate the lifecycle intelligent transformation of the geothermal development and utilization,and to promote the intelligent,stable,long-term,optimal and safe production of geothermal resources.