Sustainable and unconventional Geo-resources

Course goals

Learning objectives:
At the end of the course, the student should:

• have a good understanding of conceptual models and criteria for the selection of sites for long-term storage of CO2 and radioactive waste in geological reservoirs.
• have a good understanding of conceptual models for seasonal storage of heat, hydrogen and similar energy carriers in geological reservoirs.
• have insight into the technical and societal challenges associated with potential leakage, subsidence and induced seismic activity related to storage in geological reservoirs.
• be familiar with the main characteristics of geothermal fields (from lithosphere to reservoir scale);
• understand the principles of geothermal exploration workflows and know how to apply them for regional resource assessment and site screening studies.
• have a good understanding of the fluid flow characteristics (porosity and permeability) of reservoir rocks and the role of diagenetic processes in the storage potential of geothermal reservoirs.

Transferable skills gained in the course:
Skills acquired by the end of the course:

• Technical skills: students learn how to use various software tools to conduct a quantitative study of resources.
• Analytical/quantitative skills: students are introduced to various methods for assessing the potential of underground reservoirs for resources and storage.
• Problem-solving skills: team strategy and analytical insight are required to understand the fundamental influence of thermal properties of the Earth's crust and sediments on temperature development in the lithosphere.
• Ability to work in a team: The practical assignments are carried out in teams.
• Written communication skills: The results of the assignments must be presented in short reports.
• Flexibility/adaptability: As the course lasts only 5 weeks, good personal and team planning is required to complete all assignments on time. Weekly flexibility is needed to resolve issues with overlapping other activities and courses.
• Skills to pursue a career in the raw materials sector or in research, with a particular focus on the future generation of sustainable geological resources.

Content

NOTE: The content of the course requires a solid knowledge of subsurface geology and geological processes, and therefore access to the Earth Science master is a prerequisite to enter this course. If you don't meet this criterion, you must submit (1) a 1-page motivation letter why you want to follow this course; and (2) a CV with an overview of successfully completed earth science courses in your bachelor and master. The motivation letter must be sent to the course coordinator at least 1 week before the start of the course. Motivation letters arriving after this date will be rejected. Please contact the course coordinator for further information.


Content
The subsurface is playing an increasingly important role in the energy transition and climate change. As global demand increases, sustainable low-carbon energy sources such as geothermal heat, hydrogen and nuclear energy are becoming more important. In addition, storing CO2 in geological reservoirs is one of the most efficient ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Current and future earth science exploration is therefore focusing on new sustainable and unconventional geological sources and reservoirs, which are often located in deeper, warmer or more complex parts of the Earth's crust. This requires not only quantitative exploration and detailed characterisation of the subsurface (i.e. where and how deep are potential sources and reservoirs located; what are the conditions on site; what are the properties of the reservoir rock), but also insight into the linked, multi-physical processes that are relevant to the development of geological reservoirs – on length scales from pores to tectonic plates and time scales from seconds to millions of years.

The course consists of two modules, each combining theoretical principles, conceptual models and workflows for resource assessment and reservoir characterisation with their practical application. Both modules include practical assignments (both on paper and on the computer) to acquire practical skills with workflows and tools for the qualitative assessment of unconventional and geothermal geo-resources.

Module 1 – Unconventional georesources

• Long-term safe storage of CO2 and radioactive waste in hard rock, clay or salt storage sites.
• Seasonal geological storage of renewable energy, i.e. hydrogen and compressed air: energy buffering, renewable energy storage and strategic storage.
• Operational risks: gaining an in-depth understanding of the societal and technical challenges associated with potential leaks and induced seismic activity; and methods to mitigate undesirable effects through monitoring and stakeholder engagement.

Module 2 – Geothermal resources

• Conductive, convective and enhanced geothermal systems from lithosphere to reservoir scale.
• Exploration workflows and methods for assessing resource potential and performance, site characterisation and screening, project development and underlying uncertainties.
• Microscale characterisation of fluid flow properties of reservoir rocks: an overview of reservoir characteristics, reservoir properties and in-situ conditions most relevant to the flow of single-phase fluids (i.e. water) and two-phase fluids (i.e. water and a hydrocarbon phase (oil, gas)) in reservoirs.
• Technical and societal challenges related to potential leakage, induced seismic activity and land subsidence; methods to mitigate risks through monitoring and stakeholder engagement in undesirable effects.