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Comparative accident risk assessment with focus on deep geothermal energy systems in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

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Title: Comparative accident risk assessment with focus on deep geothermal energy systems in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
Authors: Spada, Matteo1 (AUTHOR) matteo.spada@psi.ch, Sutra, Emilie1 (AUTHOR), Burgherr, Peter1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Geothermics. Sep2021, Vol. 95, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development, Risk assessment, Technological risk assessment, Economic development, Hydrogen as fuel, Geothermal resources, Induced seismicity
Abstract: • Hazardous chemicals pose a substantial accident risk in deep geothermal energy system. • Expected risk is highest during stimulation followed by drilling and plant operation. • Hydrochloric acid dominates expected risk of the analyzed chemicals and blowouts. • The operational phase exhibits the highest extreme events related risk. • Deep geothermal performs better than fossil, hydropower, hydrogen and biogas technologies. In this study, a comparative accident risk assessment with focus on deep geothermal energy systems in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries is presented. The evaluation of deep geothermal energy systems often focused on geotechnical risks, such as induced seismicity, and social acceptance rather than accident risks. However, a comprehensive analysis should include additional technical aspects, such as blowouts as well as transportation, storage and use of hazardous substances. This research characterizes and quantifies different technological risks associated with deep geothermal energy systems. Risk indicators are calculated for accident risk related to blowouts in the drilling and stimulation phases, and the use of hazardous substances in the drilling, stimulation, and operational phases. A comparison between identified risks is carried out, showing that the stimulation and the operational phases exhibit the highest expected and extreme risks, respectively. Finally, a comparison between different energy technologies showed that the accident risk of deep geothermal energy systems is similar to wind offshore (worst case scenario) or even slightly better than solar photovoltaic (best case), and outperforms fossil, hydropower, hydrogen and biogas energy chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:• Hazardous chemicals pose a substantial accident risk in deep geothermal energy system. • Expected risk is highest during stimulation followed by drilling and plant operation. • Hydrochloric acid dominates expected risk of the analyzed chemicals and blowouts. • The operational phase exhibits the highest extreme events related risk. • Deep geothermal performs better than fossil, hydropower, hydrogen and biogas technologies. In this study, a comparative accident risk assessment with focus on deep geothermal energy systems in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries is presented. The evaluation of deep geothermal energy systems often focused on geotechnical risks, such as induced seismicity, and social acceptance rather than accident risks. However, a comprehensive analysis should include additional technical aspects, such as blowouts as well as transportation, storage and use of hazardous substances. This research characterizes and quantifies different technological risks associated with deep geothermal energy systems. Risk indicators are calculated for accident risk related to blowouts in the drilling and stimulation phases, and the use of hazardous substances in the drilling, stimulation, and operational phases. A comparison between identified risks is carried out, showing that the stimulation and the operational phases exhibit the highest expected and extreme risks, respectively. Finally, a comparison between different energy technologies showed that the accident risk of deep geothermal energy systems is similar to wind offshore (worst case scenario) or even slightly better than solar photovoltaic (best case), and outperforms fossil, hydropower, hydrogen and biogas energy chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:03756505
DOI:10.1016/j.geothermics.2021.102142