Geothermal Galicia
Radiothermal granites are a tricky but fascinating geothermal play around the world. Granites particularly rich in naturally occurring radioactive uranium, thorium, and potassium generate their own heat, and this can be exploited for geothermal energy, as is being done in Cornwall, UK.
The play is restricted to where such granites occur, but extends globally. One other particularly interesting area is Galicia in NW Spain. Not only are the granites here very hot at depth, but the wealth of industry, agriculture, and horticulture, and large towns co-located with the high heat flow, means there is an ample market for the geothermal heat.
Paetoro is investigating three key ways in which the radiothermal play can be exploited globally - through 1) conventional geothermal doublet systems in naturally fractured granites, 2) the use of EGS simulation to create fractures at greater depths and temperatures and harness for power, and 3) the potential use of deep borehole heat exchangers in single closed loop well systems.
None of these are without issues and challenges, and there are no guarantees for any of them, but Galicia represents an excellent area to test these options. Not just technically, but against the social and commercial constraints as well.
Paetoro continues to investigate the area, and is working with Agua Enodo to help evaluate some of these options.
The play is restricted to where such granites occur, but extends globally. One other particularly interesting area is Galicia in NW Spain. Not only are the granites here very hot at depth, but the wealth of industry, agriculture, and horticulture, and large towns co-located with the high heat flow, means there is an ample market for the geothermal heat.
Paetoro is investigating three key ways in which the radiothermal play can be exploited globally - through 1) conventional geothermal doublet systems in naturally fractured granites, 2) the use of EGS simulation to create fractures at greater depths and temperatures and harness for power, and 3) the potential use of deep borehole heat exchangers in single closed loop well systems.
None of these are without issues and challenges, and there are no guarantees for any of them, but Galicia represents an excellent area to test these options. Not just technically, but against the social and commercial constraints as well.
Paetoro continues to investigate the area, and is working with Agua Enodo to help evaluate some of these options.
