Leveraging Machine Learning for Subsurface Geothermal Energy Development

Authors

  • Yanying Zhu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/j8tjym72

Keywords:

Geothermal Energy, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning.

Abstract

Geothermal energy, which derives heat from the Earth's core, presents a promising renewable resource for meeting sustainable global energy needs. Nevertheless, challenges including high initial costs, technical risks, and complex underground conditions have limited its widespread adoption. Recent advancements in Machine Learning (ML), a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI), offer innovative solutions to these challenges. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the application of ML techniques in geothermal energy development, focusing on exploration, drilling, reservoir characterization and engineering, as well as production/injection engineering. Various ML algorithms including neural networks, clustering methods, and decision trees, have been employed to analyze complex geological and operational data. These applications have led to improved identification of geothermal resources, optimized drilling operations, enhanced reservoir management, and increased production efficiency. While ML integration offers significant advantages, limitations like data quality issues and computational demands persist. This paper highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, data sharing, and increased investment in research and development to overcome these challenges. The ongoing advancement of AI technologies is anticipated to drive innovation in geothermal exploration and development, enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and economic viability of geothermal energy as a cornerstone of sustainable energy systems.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Avci AC, Kaygusuz O, Kaygusuz K. Geothermal energy for sustainable development. Journal of Engineering Research and Applied Science. 2020, 9: 1414 - 26.

[2] Barasa Kabeyi MJ. Geothermal electricity generation, challenges, opportunities and recommendations. International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research and Engineering. 2019, 5:53 - 95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31695/IJASRE.2019.33408

[3] Lund JW, Toth AN. Direct utilization of geothermal energy 2020 worldwide review. Geothermics. 2021, 90: 101915. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2020.101915

[4] Abrasaldo PM, Zarrouk SJ, Kempa-Liehr AW. A systematic review of data analytics applications in above-ground geothermal energy operations. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2024, 189: 113998. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113998

[5] Ramzan M, Razi U, Usman M, et al. Role of nuclear energy, geothermal energy, agriculture, and urbanization in environmental stewardship. Gondwana Research, 2024, 125: 150 - 67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2023.08.006

[6] Idroes GM, Hardi I, Hilal IS, Utami RT, Noviandy TR, Idroes R. Economic growth and environmental impact: Assessing the role of geothermal energy in developing and developed countries. Innovation and Green Development. 2024 Sep 1; 3 (3): 100144. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.igd.2024.100144

[7] Okoroafor ER, Smith CM, Ochie KI, et al. Machine learning in subsurface geothermal energy: Two decades in review. Geothermics, 2022, 102: 102401. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102401

[8] AlGaiar M, Hossain M, Petrovski A, et al. Applications of artificial intelligence in geothermal resource exploration: A review. Deep Underground Science and Engineering, 2024, 3: 269 - 286. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/dug2.12122

[9] Al‐Fakih A, Abdulraheem A, Kaka S. Application of machine learning and deep learning in geothermal resource development: Trends and perspectives. Deep Underground Science and Engineering, 2024, 3: 286 - 301. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/dug2.12098

[10] Muther T, Syed FI, Lancaster AT, et al. Geothermal 4.0: AI-enabled geothermal reservoir development-current status, potentials, limitations, and ways forward. Geothermics, 2022, 100: 102348. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102348

[11] Li Y, Ali G, Akbar AR. Advances in geothermal energy prospectivity mapping research based on machine learning in the age of big data. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 2023, 60: 103550. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2023.103550

[12] Faulds JE, Brown S, Coolbaugh M, et al. Preliminary report on applications of machine learning techniques to the nevada geothermal play fairway analysis. 45th workshop on geothermal reservoir engineering, 2020: 229 - 34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2172/2335471

[13] Trainor-Guitton W. The value of geophysical data for geothermal exploration: Examples from empirical, field, and synthetic data. The Leading Edge. 2020, 39: 864 - 72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1190/tle39120864.1

[14] Shahdi A, Lee S, Karpatne A, et al. Exploratory analysis of machine learning methods in predicting subsurface temperature and geothermal gradient of Northeastern United States. Geothermal Energy, 2021, 9: 1 - 22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-021-00200-4

[15] Diaz MB, Kim KY, Shin HS, et al. Predicting rate of penetration during drilling of deep geothermal well in Korea using artificial neural networks and real-time data collection. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2019, 67: 225 - 32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2019.05.004

[16] Diaz MB, Kim KY. Improving rate of penetration prediction by combining data from an adjacent well in a geothermal project. Renewable Energy, 2020, 155: 1394 - 400. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.04.029

[17] Bassam A, Santoyo E, Andaverde J, et al. Estimation of static formation temperatures in geothermal wells by using an artificial neural network approach. Computers & Geosciences, 2010, 36: 1191 - 9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2010.01.006

[18] Hawkins AJ, Fox DB, Koch DL, et al. Predictive inverse model for advective heat transfer in a short‐circuited fracture: Dimensional analysis, machine learning, and field demonstration. Water Resources Research, 2020, 56: e2020WR027065. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR027065

[19] Wu H, Fu P, Hawkins AJ, et al. Predicting thermal performance of an enhanced geothermal system from tracer tests in a data assimilation framework. Water Resources Research, 2021, 57: e2021WR030987. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021WR030987

[20] Gudmundsdottir H, Horne R N. Inferring interwell connectivity in fractured geothermal reservoirs using neural networks. Proceedings of the World Geothermal Congress, 2020.

[21] Gudala M, Govindarajan SK. Numerical investigations on a geothermal reservoir using fully coupled thermo-hydro-geomechanics with integrated RSM-machine learning and ARIMA models. Geothermic, 2021, 96: 102174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2021.102174

[22] Pandey SN, Singh M. Artificial neural network to predict the thermal drawdown of enhanced geothermal system. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 2021, 143: 010901. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4048067

[23] Beckers KF, Duplyakin D, Martin MJ, et al. Subsurface characterization and machine learning predictions at brady hot springs. National Renewable Energy Lab, Golden, CO, United States. 2021 Mar 15.

[24] Shi Y, Song X, Song G. Productivity prediction of a multilateral-well geothermal system based on a long short-term memory and multi-layer perceptron combinational neural network. Applied Energy, 2021, 282: 116046. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116046

[25] Suzuki A, Konno M, Watanabe K, et al. Machine learning for input parameter estimation in geothermal reservoir modeling. Proceedings World Geothermal Congress, 2020.

[26] Bassam A, del Castillo AÁ, García-Valladares O, et al. Determination of pressure drops in flowing geothermal wells by using artificial neural networks and wellbore simulation tools. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2015, 75: 1217 - 28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.05.048

[27] Harry M, Situmorang J, Prabata W. A New Machine Learning Algorithm for Production Well Analysis. Proceedings of the 46th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering. Stanford University, 2021.

[28] Harry M, Wahyudi MA, Islam MP, et al. Comparative study of decline curve prediction in geothermal injection well using machine learning and wellbore simulator. Proceedings of the 46th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering. Stanford University. 2021.

[29] Xiong Y, Zhu M, Li Y, et al. Recognition of geothermal surface manifestations: a comparison of machine learning and deep learning. Energies, 2022, 15: 2913. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15082913

[30] Osinde NO, Byiringiro JB, Gichane MM, et al. Process modelling of geothermal drilling system using digital twin for real-time monitoring and control. Designs, 2019, 3: 45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/designs3030045

[31] Ezhilarasan K, Jeevarekha A. Powering the Geothermal Energy with AI, ML, and IoT[M]//AI-Powered IoT in the Energy Industry: Digital Technology and Sustainable Energy Systems. Cham: Springer International Publishing. 2023: 271 - 286. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15044-9_13

Downloads

Published

24-12-2024

How to Cite

Zhu, Y. (2024). Leveraging Machine Learning for Subsurface Geothermal Energy Development. Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology, 121, 440-449. https://doi.org/10.54097/j8tjym72