Technological innovation drives breakthroughs in geothermal energy or become the future energy pillar

In the context of accelerating the global transition to green energy, geothermal energy has attracted much attention due to its stability and renewability. However, the development of geothermal energy has always been constrained by high costs and technological challenges, resulting in its share of less than 3% in the global energy supply. With the advancement of technology, scientists are striving to break through this bottleneck. Recently, researchers have made significant breakthroughs in geothermal deep drilling technology, which may increase the production of geothermal energy by five times and have a profound impact on the global energy landscape.

Technological progress: breaking through the high temperature limit and improving energy efficiency

Currently, researchers are working on drilling for supercritical geothermal resources, which are supercritical water at temperatures above 374 ° C and pressures 218 times higher than surface air pressure. Under such extreme conditions, water can provide much more energy than traditional geothermal wells, theoretically increasing the efficiency of geothermal power generation by five to ten times. The Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP), as a pioneer in global geothermal research, has made some progress, but past attempts have not been successful due to the imperfect drilling casing system.

The new generation of geothermal drilling technology is addressing these challenges. For example, the SINTEF research team in Norway has developed a simulation tool called Casinteg, which can accurately calculate drilling pressure and structural stability, providing scientific support for the design of geothermal wells. In addition, researchers are exploring innovative corrosion-resistant casing designs to ensure that drilling can withstand extreme conditions for a long time.

Global potential and challenges of geothermal energy

Geothermal resources are widely distributed worldwide and theoretically can provide a sustained and stable energy supply for the world. Iceland, as a pioneer in the application of geothermal energy, has achieved 99% renewable energy supply, with geothermal energy accounting for an important part. However, geothermal development in other countries is still in its early stages, mainly limited by high drilling costs and complex underground environments.

Despite technological advancements making geothermal development more feasible, challenges still exist. Firstly, the deeper the drilling depth, the higher the engineering cost, and a more economical drilling method needs to be found. Secondly, the corrosion problem in high-temperature and high-pressure environments urgently needs to be solved, otherwise the drilling life will be difficult to maintain. Again, geological conditions vary in different countries, and development methods need to be tailored to local conditions. Not all regions can directly replicate Iceland's successful experience.

Circular Economy and Sustainable Development: The New Value of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is not only a renewable energy source, but may also play a key role in the circular economy. For example, researchers have proposed utilizing existing oil and gas wells for geothermal development to reduce the cost of new drilling. In addition, geothermal wells can also be used for carbon capture, thermal energy storage, and even hydrogen production, providing more possibilities for the energy system.

Reykjavik Energy Company stated that their goal is to build geothermal wells with a lifespan of over 30 years to meet future energy demands. This approach is highly aligned with the global sustainable development goals, helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

Future outlook: Can geothermal energy become the mainstream energy source?

With the continuous advancement of new technologies, geothermal energy is expected to become an important component of global energy supply. However, to achieve this goal, countries need to increase investment in geothermal technology while promoting policy support and international cooperation. For example, some countries in the United States, Europe, and Asia have started laying out deep geothermal drilling projects, hoping to learn from Iceland's successful experience.

Overall, geothermal energy has a bright future, but its commercialization and large-scale development still require time. In the future, with the maturity of drilling technology and the reduction of costs, geothermal energy may become an important part of the global energy landscape after wind and solar energy.