Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DeepU (Deep U-tube heat exchanger breakthrough: combining laser and cryogenic gas for geothermal energy exploitation)
Période du rapport: 2022-03-01 au 2023-02-28
• WP1: definition and selection of the cryogenic gas to be used in laboratory tests (T1.1); design and modelling of 3 different laser drill string solutions (T1.2) including the design and manufacturing of the first prototype to be used in laboratory (T1.3);
• WP2: prototype of the processing drilling head (T2.1) and experimental set-up for the laboratory testing completed (T2.2); the interaction between the laser and the rock samples started (T2.3);
• WP3: beginning of rock samples petrophysical characterization after receiving the first materials (T3.1). A methodological approach is finalized and the preliminary rocks’ thin sections are now ready to be analyzed.
• WP4: review of the legislative and regulatory assessment focusing on risk management, drilling practices and underground energy storage in Europe completed (T4.1); preliminary definition of 2 main tools for the EHS evaluation (T4.2).
• WP5: silent in the first year. However, the discussion about the criteria for selecting 2 virtual case studies in Italy and Ireland started (T5.1). In addition, material on the state of art drilling cost breakdown was collected (T5.2) and the first step towards patentability of DeepU technology started to be considered (T5.3).
• WP6: the project website, logo, leaflet and brochure were completed (T6.2) as the first Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication activities Plan (T6.1). The DeepU first scientific results started to be presented at international and national congresses (T6.3).
• WP7: the Quality Assurance Plan, the Detailed Project Management Plan, the Data Management Plan and its update were prepared on time (T7.1 T7.2). 3 General Assembly meetings, 3 internal WPs meetings and 2 joint WPs meetings were held in the first year to clarify some technical procedures between WPs.
GTE plays a key role in the energy transition towards renewables as it offers a continuous and flexible production. Therefore, increasing the GTE share in the energy mix is fundamental to develop national and European energy policies. Geothermal resources are conventionally divided into near-surface (shallow) and deep. However, current deep geothermal technologies suffer limitations and disadvantages, among them the depth limitation (4-5km) due to the traditional drilling methods.
To overcome these limits and make projects economically viable, the DeepU technology focuses on demonstrating at the lab scale a U-shaped closed-loop system, physically isolated from the surrounding environment. With a new, revolutionary, intelligent temperature management control system tested in laboratory, the project will use a laser-beam propulsion drilling method and a cryogenic gaseous flushing medium to realize a heat exchanger consisting of two vertical and one horizontal tube section (U-shape). The use of laser & cryogenic gas will form a glazed layer on the borehole walls, allowing an underground closed-loop system to immediately develop after drilling without requiring further casing activities. This technical solution will also favor the gravity pump effect during geothermal exploitation. If successful, the DeepU technological could contribute to realizing ultra-deep geothermal heat exchangers at >4km depth.