Why Geothermal?
The high heat flows experienced in countries like Iceland are only present in certain parts of the world. However, you can still harness geothermal energy in other places. Here at Merlin, we are especially excited by the potential of deep aquifers to provide sustainable heat for industrial, municipal and residential use. Merlin is happy to be a supporter of the recent report from The Association for Renewable Energy & Clean Technology (REA) and ARUP that describes the potential opportunities for deep geothermal energy in the UK. We are working to raise awareness of this important technology and its benefits.
Deep aquifer geothermal projects make use of the heat transferred to ground water as it passes through layers of rock deep underground. This process occurs naturally but can be harnessed through the injection of water. Heated water is transported through pipelines to the locations where heat is required.
How we can help you
Whether you use geothermal energy for power generation or to provide sustainable heat, you will need a deep understanding of subsurface geology, heat distribution and fluid flow. This knowledge helps you to understand the energy potential and to quantify the risk profile for geothermal projects. With this information, the commercial value of the project can be determined.
Merlin and our affiliate companies offer bespoke combinations of expert support in the following areas:
- Geothermal play fairway mapping; regional interpretation of heat flow, structure and reservoir for identification of potential geothermal heat exploitation sites.
- Gravity and magnetic data analysis for identification of igneous bodies which result in localised heat flow increases.
- Detailed subsurface evaluations of areas of interest to understand local reservoir structure and reservoir connectivity.
- Fluid property assessment from existing or new geochemistry data to identify scaling issues and assess potential for mineral by products.
- Well, seismic and geochemical operations support for data gathering and analysis.
- Risk evaluations of subsurface project inputs and recommendations of mitigation actions for high risk project elements.