Deep geothermal fluids: From the hottest of the hot to dissolved resources – Dr Chris Rochelle

Deep geothermal fluids: From the hottest of the hot to dissolved resources
We stand at the cusp of a revolution in deep geothermal exploitation, as technological improvements enable economic exploitation of hot waters from great depths in areas of lower thermal gradient, such as in the UK. These advances also allow access to super-hot resources near magmatic bodies, which may have the potential to produce an order of magnitude increase in power produced per borehole. Maximising the value of produced fluids will also help drive economic success, through a ‘cascade of uses’ along a decreasing temperature gradient (e.g. power, heat supply, extraction of dissolved minerals).

In this talk I will introduce some aspects of the exploitation of deeper /higher temperature fluids, and give a few brief summaries of projects as examples of some on-going activities. These will include current geothermal and lithium developments in SW England, and also investigations of potential ‘superhot’ geothermal resources overseas (with examples from Iceland and Mexico).

Dr Chris Rochelle
Chris is a Senior Geochemist at the British Geological Survey with over 35 years research experience into various aspects of the geochemistry of fluid-rock interactions. Much of this work relates to ‘Energy’ – either in terms of energy supply (e.g. geothermal systems, gas hydrates), energy storage (e.g. thermal energy storage, hydrogen storage), or the subsurface disposal/storage of waste materials from energy generation (e.g. CO2 capture and storage, radioactive waste). Chris’ technical skills include running lab experimental studies to quantify the direction, rate and magnitude of fluid-rock reactions over a wide range of temperatures and pressures (basically cooking up rocks and water in very strong pressure cookers ….), and also field-based activities to both monitor the natural environment (e.g. sampling waters, gases, and particulates in the air).

Chris works with researchers and industry in the UK and abroad, has been particularly active within European projects, and for the past decade has led on BGS deep, high temperature geothermal projects.

This lecture will be offered in a hybrid format. Please join us in person if you can, or register to attend virtually via zoom using the link below.

Register in advance to attend virtually:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87979792546?pwd=TFtZiwEypGXFmI8edbJwgjcsSsqOye.1

Venue:
St Francis Of Assisi RC Church, 110 Warwick Rd, Kenilworth CV8 1HL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9CGWRNdgFfttDKtd7