• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2014

In order to generate electricity from geothermal energy for non-volcanic region, the concept of enhanced geothermal system (EGS) is introduced which forms an artificial reservoir by injecting high pressure fluid to 5 km deep and circulating geothermal fluid through the reservoir. Demonstration studies have been conducted in various countries and regions for determining the feasibility of EGS. In this technical note, experiences, errors, and implications of EGS demonstration projects in UK Rosemanowes and Australia Cooper Basin which have been carried out since 2002 are introduced to be used for the EGS demonstration project in Korea.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.506-520
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• 2013

While geothermal energy provides the only base-load power among renewable energy sources, its development has been carried out predominantly in volcanic area. EGS (Enhanced Geothermal System) is a ubiquitous technology that can allow the geothermal power generation virtually in any area. This manuscript introduces the current state-of-the-art of EGS development in the world and presents the hydraulic stimulation technology and associated microseismicity which are key technical component in EGS. Finally this paper suggests the key research areas required in Korea for further development of EGS.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.547-560
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• 2013

The importance of renewable energy has increased continuously due to the energy insecurity and the necessity of reducing carbon dioxide which is causing global climate change. In such a situation, the Pohang Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) power plant project which is launched in December 2010 shall be a new opportunity for the development of EGS related technologies in Korea. In this paper, the case studies of Fenton Hill project in the USA and Hijiori project in Japan are introduced in order to help a part of the domestic EGS demonstration project. As a result, it could be helpful to minimize the trial and error of the domestic EGS project by acquiring the achievements and limitations of existing EGS projects.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.572-580
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• 2013

In this case study, I examined the microseismic safety management system of Deep Heat Mining Basel (DHMB) as EGS Geothermal Project which was conducted in Basel, Switzerland. EGS Geothermal Power projects which require induced seismic event by stimulation for creation of EGS geothermal reservoir have to be controlled pressure and flow rate of stimulation by establishment of microseismic safety management system. Traffic light system and Communication response procedure of DHMB project to respond step by step corresponding microseismic event intensity through continuous monitoring during stimulation period have been managed and established in advance of stimulation. However, the project was discontinued because of an earthquake to occur larger than expected one due to post-injection seismicity occurring in the geothermal reservoir after completion of injection for stimulation. The result of post analysis, Real-time traffic light system was verified to need a establishment of new microseismic safe management system to be considered post-injection seismicity phenomenon.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.197.1-197.1
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• 2011

Target generation capacity of geothermal power generation pilot plant project through the Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) with a doublet system down to 5 km depth was estimated. Production and re-injection temperatures of geothermal fluid were assumed $160^{\circ}C$ and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively, based on reservoir temperature of $180^{\circ}C$ calculated from the geothermal gradient of $33^{\circ}C$ in Pohang area. In this temperature range, 0.11 of thermal efficiency of the binary generation cycle is a practical choice. Assuming flow rates of 40 kg/sec, which is possible in current EGS technology, gross power generation capacity is estimated to reach 1.848 MW. Net generation considering auxiliary power including pumping power for geothermal fluid and condensing (cooling) energy of working fluid can be 1.5 MW.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.320-331
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• 2015

This paper presents a case study of an enhanced geothermal system(EGS) demonstration project conducted in $Gro{\ss}$ $Sch{\ddot{o}}nebeck$, Northerm Germany, focusing on hydraulic stimulation. The project was conducted with doublet system in sandstone and volcanic formations at 4 - 4.4 km depth. Under normal faulting to strike-slip faulting stress regime, hydraulic stimulations were conducted at injection and production wells by massive waterfrac and gel-proppant fracturing. Injectivity index increased from $0.97m^3/(hr^*MPa)$ to $7.5m^3/(hr^*MPa)$ and productivity index increased from $2.4m^3/(hr^*MPa)$ to $10.1m^3/(hr^*MPa)$ by a series of hydraulic stimulations at both wells. After circulation tests through injection and production wells, however, productivity index decreased from $8.9m^3/(hr^*MPa)$ to $0.6m^3/(hr^*MPa)$ in two years. Slip tendency analysis for the stimulation in volcanic layer estimated the required pressure for shear slip and its preferred orientations and it showed reasonable match with actual stimulation results. Through the microseismicity observation for the stimulation of volcanic formation, only 80 seismic events with its moment magnitudes in -1.8<$M_W$<-1.0 were observed, which are unexpectedly low for EGS hydraulic stimulation.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.38-46
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• 2012

Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) among geothermal system types enables to produce sustainable energy even in non-volcanic region while conventional geothermal energy has been restricted to obtain only from hot and permeable formation such as in volcanic regions. Successful EGS project in terms of economy, however, can be expected only when the project is managed effectively considering most of influencing factors (e.g., tangible and intangible resources, cost, time, risks, etc.). In particular, well construction is of the utmost importance in geothermal project as it dominantly influences on time and cost in the whole project. Therefore, when it comes to viable geothermal project without abundant experience, managing drilling economically and efficiently is inevitable. In this study, a project management system for well construction in geothermal project based on project control system including work breakdown structure and cost account was developed to predict and assess the performance of drilling and to visualize the progress.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.164-175
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• 2011

Using natural electromagnetic (EM) fields at low frequencies, magnetotelluric (MT) surveys can investigate conductivity structures of the deep subsurface and thus are used to explore geothermal energy resources and investigate proper sites for not only geological $CO_2$ sequestration but also enhanced geothermal system (EGS). Moreover, marine MT data can be used for better interpretation of marine controlled-source EM data. In the interpretation of MT data, MT modeling schemes are important. This study improves a three dimensional (3D) MT modeling algorithm which uses edge finite elements. The algorithm computes magnetic fields by solving an integral form of Faraday's law of induction based on a finite difference (FD) strategy. However, the FD strategy limits the algorithm in computing vertical magnetic fields for a topographic model. The improved algorithm solves the differential form of Faraday's law of induction by making derivatives of electric fields, which are represented as a sum of basis functions multiplied by corresponding weightings. In numerical tests, vertical magnetic fields for topographic models using the improved algorithm overcome the limitation of the old algorithm. This study recomputes induction vectors and tippers for a 3D hill and valley model which were used for computation of the responses using the old algorithm.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.480-492
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• 2013

After the introduction of geothermal power generation technology based on engineering reservoir creation that can be applied on non-volcanic region, industrial need for studies on the efficient and economic execution of costly deep-depth drilling work becomes manifest increasingly. However, since it is very difficult to predict duration and cost of boring work with acceptable reliability because of many uncertain events during the execution, efficient and organized work management for drilling is not easily achievable. Especially, the round trip that discretely occurs because of the abrasion of bit takes more time as the depth goes deeper and it has a great impact on the work performance. Therefore, a technology that can simulate the occurrence timing and depth of round trip in advance and therefore optimize them is essentially required. This study divided the abrasion state of bit into eight steps for simulation cases and developed a forecast algorithm, i.e., TOSA which can analyze the depth and timing of round trip occurrence. A methodology that can divide a unit section for simulation has been suggested; while the Bourgoyne and Young model has been used for the forecast of drilling rates and bit abrasion extent by section. Lastly, the designed algorithm has been systemized for the convenience of the user.