We will be presenting at the Lithosphere 2024 Symposium!
The National ILP Committee of Finland organizes the 13th Lithosphere Symposium during Nov. 12–14, 2024 in Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland. The symposium is aimed for all geoscientists studying problems of the lithosphere in general and the Fennoscandian lithosphere in particular.
Our Deep-HEAT-Flows team will be delivering three talks:
Daniel Carbajal-Martinez will be presenting his and colleges work on Fracturing and
Hydrothermal Alteration in Faulted Granites: Impact on Fluid Flow and Geothermal Energy at the Kivetty Site. Summary of the work: This research aims to deepen our understanding of the complex interactions between mineral alterations and hydraulic conductivity in faulted crystalline rocks. It focuses on their impact on porosity, permeability, and petrophysical properties, key for defining prolific geothermal reservoirs We observed that fracturing and mineral alterations within fault zones increase porosity (up to 20%), permeability (up to 1 0 12 m 2 and connectivity of crystalline rocks at least 500 m sections). These discoveries highlight the potential of the Kivetty site as a valuable case study for understanding large scale heat and fluid fl ow in fault zones to form amagmatic geothermal reservoirs crucial knowledge for advancing clean energy production and heating solutions on a global scale.
Nicklas Nordbäck et al will show Strike-Slip Faulting and Hydrothermal Alteration in the Vehmaa Rapakivi Batholith: Insights into Reservoirs in Crystalline Rocks and Geothermal Potential in Southern Finland. Summary of the work: Here we report on brittle deformation and post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration within the rapakivi granites of the Vehmaa Batholith, Southern Finland. We observed that mineral alteration and porosity are structurally controlled and mainly occur in association to NW–SE striking faults along precipitation of mineral assemblages typical of hydrothermal processes. The results of fault kinematic paleostress suggest two stages of Proterozoic strike-slip faulting, as previously interpreted from the Åland rapakivi. Our new results advance the understanding of the brittle deformation and thermal evolution of the Fennoscandian crust during the Meso–Neoproterozoic, providing valuable insights into the potential of crystalline rocks as geothermal reservoirs within granitic settings.
Alan Bischoff and team will discuss the Crystal clear: A petrophysical databank of crystalline rocks for assessing deep geothermal reservoirs in Finland and beyond. Summary of the work: We performed multiple laboratory experiments and analytical techniques to define the petrophysical characteristics and understand the formation of deep crystalline reservoirs in Finland. Our results indicate that fracturing and mineral dissolution can create exceptional reservoirs with porosity and permeability values of up to 31.5% and 1.5 × 10–11 m2 (15.2 Darcy), respectively. Hydrothermal alteration and tectonic processes are responsible for the formation of these reservoirs, which must date back to Precambrian times. Our findings could represent a significant shift in geothermal exploration within ancient crystalline cratons, expanding target prospects beyond the conventional focus on volcanic and rifting areas.
Access of the full abstracts can be found in our Publications page
Come to have a chat with us and help to move the geoenergy research forward!
More informations on the event webpage: https://www.seismo.helsinki.fi/ilp/lito2024/index.html
01.08.2024
We will be speaking at the Canadian Geothermal Students’ Days 2024!
The 5th Annual Canadian Geothermal Students’ Days will be hosted in Quebec, from September 4th to 6th, and we are delighted by the invitation to give a keynote talk on Exploring Deep Geothermal Resources in Crystalline Settings.
Exploring deep geothermal resources in crystalline settings promises abundant clean and renewable energy for direct space heating, industrial applications, and electricity generation. However, these settings pose unique challenges, mainly due to the low porosity and permeability of crystalline rocks. In this talk, we will assess the intricate interplay between brittle deformation and mineral alteration processes that shape the pore network of crystalline reservoirs. We'll examine how fluid flow affects geothermal production, identify where crystalline reservoirs can be found, and showcase how much heat can be extracted from these reservoirs, particularly in low-temperature areas where volcanic and rifting activity is absent.
More informations on the event webpage: https://canadiangeothermal.wixsite.com/cgsd
21.12.2023
Geoenergiapäiväa - Geoenergy day, was hosted by GTK on 28.09.2023 where we were pleased to deliver our preliminary results and goals to stakeholders of the project. More info can be found at Poratek News — Poratek.
27.09.2023
🌋 Exciting News: Deep-HEAT-flows Postdoc Researcher Chosen!! 🌋
Hello geoscience community,
I am thrilled to announce that we have selected the candidate for our prestigious 4-year Postdoctoral Research position with the Deep-HEAT-flows research project! Our project aims to revolutionize our understanding of crystalline reservoirs and pave the way for more cost-effective geothermal energy endeavors.
As we embark on this journey towards unlocking the untapped potential of geothermal energy in lower-temperature settings, Daniel Carbajal expertise and dedication will play a pivotal role in achieving the goals of our project.
“I'm excited to join GTK's Deep-HEAT-Flows project in Finland, driven by my passion for exploring geothermal energy and my commitment to sustainability. My academic journey has focused on understanding amagmatic orogenic geothermal systems, including my doctoral research in Switzerland, where I conducted 3D thermal-hydraulic simulations. Additionally, during my master's and bachelor's degrees, I gained hands-on experience in petrography, geochemistry, and geophysics, which are essential skills for exploring the crystalline settings of the Fennoscandian Shield," says Daniel.
Besides his extensive geological knowledge, Daniel possesses the passion, enthusiasm, and commitment needed to drive this ambitious project forward. He will collaborate with our world-class team of researchers, bringing fresh insights and innovative ideas to the table. Together, we are confident that we will push the boundaries of the geothermal energy landscape and contribute significantly to a more sustainable future.
As we all know, harnessing geothermal resources beyond volcanic and rifting areas holds immense potential to provide clean and virtually limitless energy for various sectors of our economy and society. However, unlocking this potential requires a profound comprehension of how heat is stored and transferred in lower-temperature settings. Our project focuses on identifying the natural processes responsible for creating deep crystalline reservoirs in relatively lower-temperature regions, with a special emphasis on the Fennoscandian Shield in Northern Europe. To achieve this ambitious goal, we are merging geophysical datasets, information from deep boreholes, insights from outcropping rocks, and microscopic observations into a comprehensive model. This model will explain how crystalline rock formations can function as geothermal reservoirs, ultimately mitigating the uncertainties associated with deep drilling and making large geothermal resources economically accessible on a global scale.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the 55 talented individuals who applied for this position. The competition was fierce, and the quality of the applicants was truly outstanding, making our selection process challenging yet rewarding.
Stay tuned on our website https://deep-heat-flows.voog.com/en for further news! In the meantime, join us in celebrating this pivotal moment as we take another step in our research project!
#Deep-HEAT-flows #GeothermalEnergy #SustainableFuture #ResearchInnovation #EnergySecurity #Decarbonization
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7112425776532107264/01.09.2023
Today, our Deep-HEAT-Flows project officially commenced! Over the next four years, we are committed to conducting in-depth investigations into the processes responsible for creating crystalline reservoirs and exploring their potential as deep geothermal energy sources.
We strongly believe that these reservoirs can play a pivotal role in our ongoing transition to cleaner and more reliable energy resources. To achieve this goal, we aim to enhance our ability to predict the genetic processes, petrophysical characteristics, and pore connectivity within diverse crystalline reservoirs.
If you're interested in the future developments of deep geothermal exploration, keep a close eye on our project. Over the next four years, we will host a series of outreach activities, including webinars, where we will share the results of our research.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7103261899386945536/
30.06.2023
CALLING GEOTHERMAL ENTHUSIASTS
Embrace the opportunity of a lifetime with our exciting Postdoc program.
Research Scientist (Postdoc) for geothermal energy research – Full-time 4 years contract
The Geoenergy Solutions team of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) is looking for a geologist to conduct geothermal energy research in deep and low-enthalpy crystalline settings, with a particular interest in the Fennoscandian Craton (Baltic Shield). This is a highly desirable full-time 4 years postdoctoral position that will set the right candidate among the core international geothermal energy community at both academia and industry levels. You will be part of an outstanding multidisciplinary research team accounting with experts from 11 globally recognized research institutions. The position is managed by GTK and funded by the Academy of Finland research fellowship project “Deep-HEAT-Flows: Discovering deep geothermal resources in low-enthalpy crystalline settings”.
Unlocking the full potential of deep geothermal resources in low-enthalpy crystalline settings away from volcanic and rifting areas will require novel research and significant technological innovation. Much of our current knowledge about geothermal systems comes from thermodynamically active areas where high-temperature fluids, intense tectonic and volcanic activity, and the presence of convective hydrothermal cells play a central role in forming geothermal reservoirs. It is broadly accepted that processes like rock fracturing and mineral alteration are key for defining the fluid flow properties of higher-enthalpy geothermal reservoirs. Conversely, fundamental knowledge about the processes that can form deep crystalline reservoirs at lower-enthalpy conditions is lacking. Our hypothesis centres on recent research that indicate that substantially large (>1 km3) geological structures can host highly permeable crystalline reservoirs suitable for deep geothermal energy production. The most promising geological structures that can deliver these geothermal prospects are crustal fault zones and the contact zone of ancient igneous intrusions. Both structures occur in great numbers in the Fennoscandian Craton and as such have significant potential to provide drillable targets for deep geothermal exploration.
The successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree in geology and a PhD using petrophysical data to characterise the reservoir properties of crystalline rocks and their geothermal potential. We welcome petroleum geologist experts that are looking for a new career path within the emergent renewable energy industry. This is a highly demanded position that will require extensive knowledge across complementary geoscientific disciplines including petrography, petrophysics, rock mechanics, structural geology and igneous systems. Although this postdoc position already has an established Research Plan, the selected person can influence the content of the job if committed to achieving the broad goals of the Deep-HEAT-Flows project.
Your office will be in Otaniemi, Espoo, home to many of Finland's research development organizations and in the heart of Laajalahti Nature Reserve, an area known for its leafy walking trails and bird-watching towers along the Baltic Sea waterfront, Helsinki’s metropolitan area. The work will mostly be conducted at GTK high-tech laboratories in Espoo, but a fully-funded mobility period under the guidance of Prof Mike Heap at his petrophysical laboratory at the University of Strasbourg (France) is also expected.
Are you ready to be part of this challenge? So, please send your
application with your motivation letter and CV in English through https://www.gtk.fi/en/job/research-scientist-postdoc-for-geothermal-energy-research/
at the latest on 14.08.2023.
12.06.2023
Skanssi supports our scientific research to find deep geothermal resources in Finland
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7073225212577628160/
12.06.2023
We got it! Decision Overview
We are delighted to announce that our Deep-HEAT-Flows research project was granted funds. For the next four years (Sep-2023 to Aug-2027) we will be conducting a series of studies to understand the potential of crystalline reservoirs as geothermal prospects in low-enthalpy settings.
From 389 applications, the Academy of Finland granted funding for 59 new Academy Research Fellowships in natural sciences and engineering. The total sum applied for all candidates in natural sciences was nearly 220 million euros. About 35 million euros was funded. The applicant's success rate was just over 15%. The application’s review was divided into 27 panels. Our panel has 19 applications, in which we ranked in the 3rd position (still making it to the podium 😊).
Check out more information in the link below.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7072867572861288448/