Development of 3-D Geological Model of Tuscarora Sandstone for Feasibility of Deep Direct-Use Geothermal at West Virginia University’s Main Campus
- West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States); West Virginia University
- W.V. Geological and Economic Survey
- West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States)
The Morgantown campus of West Virginia University (WVU) is uniquely positioned to host the first geothermal deep direct-use district heating system in the eastern United States. While much of the eastern United States is not blessed with extremely high heat flow and elevated temperatures, the northeastern part of West Virginia is unique in having a basin that is expected to support the achievable flowrate of geofluid through target formations, with sufficient temperatures at depth. These two factors were identified in the 2006 MIT Future of Geothermal Energy Report to be the two most critical factors in minimizing cost of geothermal energy. Our overall project objective is to determine the feasibility of designing a Geothermal District Heating and Cooling (GDHC) system for the West Virginia University campus utilizing Geothermal Deep Direct-Use (DDU) by 1) minimization of the uncertainty and risk associated with developing the geothermal resource for use on campus at WVU and 2) completion of an optimized design for the geothermal system, minimizing the delivered Levelized Cost of Heat (LCOH). Our first goal, to minimize the risk of project development, will be achieved by decreasing the uncertainty in both the subsurface geothermal system as well the surface distribution system.
The subsurface uncertainty is dominated by the uncertainty in the projections of geofluid flowrate in the target formation, the Tuscarora Sandstone. In this paper, three cores from the heterogeneous reservoir, available through West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey, are analyzed by performing core analysis using CT scanning and permeability measurements via minipermeameter. Additional geological data are collected through cores, published literature, seismic data, and nearby, existing wells to estimate thickness, fracture network configuration and geothermal gradient to minimize the uncertainty of well deliverability. Using these estimated reservoir properties; a 3D conceptual model for the proposed geothermal site is developed.
- Research Organization:
- West Virginia University Research Corporation
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Geothermal Technologies Office (EE-4G)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0008105
- OSTI ID:
- 1460801
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-WVU-GRC
- Conference Information:
- Journal Name: GRC Transactions Journal Volume: 42
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Development of 3D Geological Model of Tuscarora Sandstone for Feasibility of Deep Direct-Use Geothermal at West Virginia University Main Campus
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