Day 3 - Getting to Geothermal Anywhere: Closed Loop Technoeconomics

Closed Loop Systems have captured imaginations and headlines this year. These systems, like EGS, are considered “scalable” and “hot dry rock” systems, with the potential, when perfected, to enable geothermal energy development anywhere in the world. Supporters argue that because they operate in a closed loop fashion, meaning there is no fluid exchange with the rock, advanced working fluids can be used to make the systems operate more efficiently. These systems also do not utilize stimulation or fracturing techniques to create the reservoir, relying on advanced drilling techniques only to engineer the subsurface, and thus supporters believe that seismicity risk will be greatly reduced in Closed Loop Concepts. So what are the technological challenges associated with Closed Loop Systems, and what technologies and methodologies can be deployed from oil and gas to help drive down cost? What are the risks associated with these systems, and how can they be mitigated? What Closed Loop projects in development should be on the radar? Let’s explore.