A energia geotérmica é usada em todo o mundo como uma fonte de energia acessível, limpa e sustentável. Atualmente, a forma mais comum de captação de energia geotérmica é usando vapor e líquido de reservatórios geotérmicos para abastecer geradores elétricos.
Sobre a energia geotérmica
Geothermal energy harnesses the heat produced by the decay of radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium deep in the earth. This heat escapes where Earth’s crust is thin, or where there is significant collision (generally along tectonic plate boundaries like the Ring of Fire). We can see proof of geothermal energy on the earth’s surface in spectacular natural displays like volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs.
The geothermal industry harnesses this naturally occurring heat as energy, and captures it using a variety of methods:
- Aproveitamento de recursos geotérmicos. Atualmente, a forma mais comum de captação de energia geotérmica é usando vapor e líquido de reservatórios geotérmicos para abastecer geradores elétricos.
- Uso direto do calor geotérmico. A água quente da subsuperfície pode ser usada diretamente para aquecimento. Ela pode ser usada para aquecer edifícios, descongelar estradas e também aquecer spas e água em fazendas de piscicultura. Na Islândia, quase todos os edifícios são aquecidos com água geotérmica.
- Bombas de calor geotérmico. As bombas de calor geotérmico podem aquecer e resfriar edifícios por meio da circulação de ar ou líquido na subsuperfície, aproveitando as temperaturas constantes da subsuperfície durante o ano inteiro.
FACT: The amount of heat within 10,000 metres of Earth’s surface contains 50,000 times more energy than all the oil and natural gas resources in the world.
Sobre o Leapfrog Energy
Seequent’s modelling software Leapfrog Energy was designed specifically for the geothermal industry, to help discover and manage geothermal energy resources. It was developed in collaboration with the New Zealand geothermal community, one of the earliest large scale users of geothermal energy.
The product is specifically used for geothermal resource evaluation, geothermal model review and maintenance, well planning for exploration, development and reservoir management, integration with TOUGH2 for reservoir simulation, 3D fault planning, and management of future development strategies.
O impacto da tecnologia da Seequent
Leapfrog Energy is supporting companies who operate ~40% of the currently installed geothermal capacity worldwide. Compared to other energy plants, geothermal creates far less carbon dioxide to create energy.
- As usinas geotérmicas geram cerca de 200 gramas de dióxido de carbono por kWh
- As usinas de carvão/petróleo geram cerca de 950 gramas de dióxido de carbono por kWh
- As usinas de gás geram cerca de 400 gramas de dióxido de carbono por kWh
In most places Leapfrog Energy is used, geothermal energy is replacing coal energy generation. So if we assume 100% of the geothermal energy is replacing coal… That means Leapfrog Energy is involved in reducing about 30 million tonnes of C02 emissions every year.
O futuro da energia geotérmica
The renewable energy industries are growing after the signing of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, with geothermal specifically receiving support from the Global Geothermal Alliance. This group pledged to support a five-time increase in the industry’s global installed geothermal capacity by 2030. This industry is on the cusp of becoming a leading source of clean, renewable energy.
As a leading provider of geothermal software, Seequent are ready to help the industry realise its goals in the upcoming years. There’s an exciting future ahead for geothermal energy – one we are going to be a part of.