New research produced by Southern Methodist University's Geothermal Laboratory, funded by a grant from Google.org,
suggests that the temperature of the Earth beneath the state of West Virginia is significantly higher than previously
estimated and capable of supporting commercial baseload geothermal energy production.
Geothermal energy is the use of the Earth's heat to produce heat and electricity. "Geothermal is an extremely reliable
form of energy, and it generates power 24/7, which makes it a baseload source like coal or nuclear," said David Blackwell,
Hamilton Professor of Geophysics and Director of the SMU Geothermal Laboratory.
How Big is this Resource?
The SMU Geothermal Laboratory has increased its estimate of West Virginia's geothermal generation potential to 18,890
megawatts, assuming a conservative 2 percent thermal recovery rate. The new estimate represents a 75 percent increase
over estimates in MIT's 2006 "The Future of Geothermal Energy" report and exceeds the state's total current generating
capacity, primarily coal based, of 16,350 megawatts.
Researchers from SMU's Geothermal Laboratory will present a detailed report on the discovery at the 2010 Geothermal
Resources Council annual meeting in Sacramento, October 24-27, 2010. Summary of the report.
Geothermal Gradients from Oil and Gas Wells
The West Virginia discovery is the result of new detailed mapping and interpretation of temperature data derived from oil,
gas, and thermal gradient wells - part of an ongoing project to update the Geothermal Map of North America that Blackwell
produced with colleague Maria Richards in 2004. Temperatures below the earth almost always increase with depth, but the
rate of increase (the thermal gradient) varies due to factors such as the thermal properties of the rock formations.
"By adding 1,455 new thermal data points from oil, gas, and water wells to our geologic model of West Virginia, we've discovered
significantly more heat than previously thought," Blackwell said. "The existing oil and gas fields in West Virginia provide a
geological guide that could help reduce uncertainties associated with geothermal exploration and also present an opportunity
for co-producing geothermal electricity from hot waste fluids generated by existing oil and gas wells."
The high temperature zones beneath West Virginia revealed by the new mapping are concentrated in the eastern portion of the
state (Figure 1). Starting at depths of 4.5 km (greater than 15,000 feet), temperatures reach over 150°C (300°F), which is
hot enough for commercial geothermal power production.
Traditionally, commercial geothermal energy production has depended on high temperatures in existing subsurface reservoirs
to produce electricity, requiring unique geological conditions found almost exclusively in tectonically active regions of
the world, such as the western United States.
A Non-Conventional Geothermal Resource
New technologies, drilling methods for wider range of geologic conditions
Newer technologies and drilling methods can be used to develop resources in wider ranges of geologic conditions. Three
non-conventional geothermal resources that can be developed in areas with little or no tectonic activity or volcanism such as West Virginia are:
Low-Temperature Hydrothermal - Energy is produced from areas with naturally occurring high fluid volumes at temperatures
ranging from 80°C (165°F) to 150°C (300°F) using advanced binary cycle technology. Low-Temperature systems have been
developed in Alaska, Oregon, and Utah.
Geopressure and Co-produced Fluids Geothermal - Oil and/or natural gas produced together with hot geothermal fluids
drawn from the same well. Geopressure and Co-produced Fluids systems are currently operating or under development in Wyoming,
North Dakota, Utah, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) - Areas with low natural rock permeability but high temperatures of more than 150°C (300°F)
are "enhanced" by injecting fluid and other reservoir engineering techniques. EGS resources are typically deeper than hydrothermal
and represent the largest share of total geothermal resources. EGS is being pursued globally in Germany, Australia, France, the
United Kingdom, and the U.S. EGS is being tested in deep sedimentary basins similar to West Virginia's in Germany and Australia.
More Geological Information is Needed
"The early West Virginia research is very promising," Blackwell said, "but we still need more information about local
geological conditions to refine estimates of the magnitude, distribution, and commercial significance of their geothermal resource."
Zachary Frone, an SMU graduate student researching the area said, "More detailed research on subsurface characteristics like
depth, fluids, structure and rock properties will help determine the best methods for harnessing geothermal energy in West
Virginia." The next step in evaluating the resource will be to locate specific target sites for focused investigations to
validate the information used to calculate the geothermal energy potential in this study.
Similar Geothermal Resources in Other Areas?
The team's work may also shed light on other similar geothermal resources. "We now know that two zones of Appalachian age
structures are hot - West Virginia and a large zone covering the intersection of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana known as
the Ouachita Mountain region," said Blackwell. "Right now we don't have the data to fill in the area in between," Blackwell
continued, "but it's possible we could see similar results over an even larger area."
Proximity to High Population
Blackwell thinks the finding opens exciting possibilities for the region. "The proximity of West Virginia's large geothermal
resource to east coast population centers has the potential to enhance U.S. energy security, reduce CO2 emissions, and develop
high paying clean energy jobs in West Virginia," he said.
Funding and Institutional Resources
SMU's Geothermal Laboratory conducted this research through funding provided by Google.org's REC initiative, which is
dedicated to using the power of information and innovation to advance breakthrough technologies in clean energy.
SMU is a private university in Dallas where nearly 11,000 students benefit from the national opportunities and international
reach of SMU's seven degree-granting schools. For more information see www.smu.edu.
West Virginia Geothermal Maps of rock temperature at various depths. The maps show a progressive increase of temperature with depth and a large geographic area underlain by rocks with temperatures over 150 degrees C - the temperature needed for geothermal power production. One of the greatest challenges for developing the geothermal resource will be the great depth to rocks of adequate temperature. Image by Southern Methodist University.
Another "Game Changer" in West Virginia?
This press release from Southern Methodist University describes an emormous geothermal energy field that could be
developed beneath West Virginia. After the Marcellus Shale, this is the second potential energy bonanza to hit
the Mountain State in the past few years.
Low-cost natural gas is becoming abundant in the state and many believed that economics and environmental concerns
would enable it to displace the "Coal by Rail, Barge and Wire" methods of exporting energy from the state.
If proven, the geothermal energy resource might join natural gas pipelines for the new West Virginia export energy model.
With billions of dollars in potential revenue that could emerge a number of questions arise:
Who owns this resource?
How will the revenues be shared?
When will it be developed?
Where are the best locations for development?
Are landmen knocking on doors?
Location is the key to developing any resource. We are betting that stream valleys where the hottest rock
can be penetrated at the shallowest depth will form the short list of valuable properties. The second cut
will be based upon transmission systems and distance to markets.
Google Video presenting the concept of Enhanced Geothermal Systems for reliable baseload continuous power that can be generated with very few emissions. Perhaps the most important point made in the video is the size of the potential resource (14,000,000 exajoules) compared to current needs (100 exajoules). The supply is close to unlimited.
