Sustainable Geothermal Energy: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in Deep Wells and Shallow Heat Pumps for Transitioning Professionals
Geothermal energy has emerged as a cornerstone in renewable energy, delivering reliable, low-emission baseload electricity and heating solutions. This review bridges the current knowledge gap by addressing challenges and opportunities for engineers and scientists, especially those transitioning from...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/811 |
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| author | Tawfik Elshehabi Mohammad Alfehaid |
| author_facet | Tawfik Elshehabi Mohammad Alfehaid |
| author_sort | Tawfik Elshehabi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Geothermal energy has emerged as a cornerstone in renewable energy, delivering reliable, low-emission baseload electricity and heating solutions. This review bridges the current knowledge gap by addressing challenges and opportunities for engineers and scientists, especially those transitioning from other professions. It examines deep and shallow geothermal systems and explores the advanced technologies and skills required across various climates and environments. Transferable expertise in drilling, completion, subsurface evaluation, and hydrological assessment is required for geothermal development but must be adapted to meet the demands of high-temperature, high-pressure environments; abrasive rocks; and complex downhole conditions. Emerging technologies like Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGSs) and closed-loop systems enable sustainable energy extraction from impermeable and dry formations. Shallow systems utilize near-surface thermal gradients, hydrology, and soil conditions for efficient heat pump operations. Sustainable practices, including reinjection, machine learning-driven fracture modeling, and the use of corrosion-resistant alloys, enhance well integrity and long-term performance. Case studies like Utah FORGE and the Geysers in California, US, demonstrate hydraulic stimulation, machine learning, and reservoir management, while Cornell University has advanced integrated hybrid geothermal systems. Government incentives, such as tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, and academic initiatives, such as adopting geothermal energy at Cornell and Colorado Mesa Universities, are accelerating geothermal integration. These advancements, combined with transferable expertise, position geothermal energy as a major contributor to the global transition to renewable energy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ec853fe349b44210b99e01c5c52bf99d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-ec853fe349b44210b99e01c5c52bf99d2025-08-20T03:12:05ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-02-0118481110.3390/en18040811Sustainable Geothermal Energy: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in Deep Wells and Shallow Heat Pumps for Transitioning ProfessionalsTawfik Elshehabi0Mohammad Alfehaid1Energy and Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071, USAEnergy and Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071, USAGeothermal energy has emerged as a cornerstone in renewable energy, delivering reliable, low-emission baseload electricity and heating solutions. This review bridges the current knowledge gap by addressing challenges and opportunities for engineers and scientists, especially those transitioning from other professions. It examines deep and shallow geothermal systems and explores the advanced technologies and skills required across various climates and environments. Transferable expertise in drilling, completion, subsurface evaluation, and hydrological assessment is required for geothermal development but must be adapted to meet the demands of high-temperature, high-pressure environments; abrasive rocks; and complex downhole conditions. Emerging technologies like Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGSs) and closed-loop systems enable sustainable energy extraction from impermeable and dry formations. Shallow systems utilize near-surface thermal gradients, hydrology, and soil conditions for efficient heat pump operations. Sustainable practices, including reinjection, machine learning-driven fracture modeling, and the use of corrosion-resistant alloys, enhance well integrity and long-term performance. Case studies like Utah FORGE and the Geysers in California, US, demonstrate hydraulic stimulation, machine learning, and reservoir management, while Cornell University has advanced integrated hybrid geothermal systems. Government incentives, such as tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, and academic initiatives, such as adopting geothermal energy at Cornell and Colorado Mesa Universities, are accelerating geothermal integration. These advancements, combined with transferable expertise, position geothermal energy as a major contributor to the global transition to renewable energy.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/811geothermal drillingenhanced geothermal systems (EGSs)shallow geothermal systemssustainable well designclosed-loop systemsheat pumps |
| spellingShingle | Tawfik Elshehabi Mohammad Alfehaid Sustainable Geothermal Energy: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in Deep Wells and Shallow Heat Pumps for Transitioning Professionals Energies geothermal drilling enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) shallow geothermal systems sustainable well design closed-loop systems heat pumps |
| title | Sustainable Geothermal Energy: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in Deep Wells and Shallow Heat Pumps for Transitioning Professionals |
| title_full | Sustainable Geothermal Energy: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in Deep Wells and Shallow Heat Pumps for Transitioning Professionals |
| title_fullStr | Sustainable Geothermal Energy: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in Deep Wells and Shallow Heat Pumps for Transitioning Professionals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sustainable Geothermal Energy: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in Deep Wells and Shallow Heat Pumps for Transitioning Professionals |
| title_short | Sustainable Geothermal Energy: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in Deep Wells and Shallow Heat Pumps for Transitioning Professionals |
| title_sort | sustainable geothermal energy a review of challenges and opportunities in deep wells and shallow heat pumps for transitioning professionals |
| topic | geothermal drilling enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) shallow geothermal systems sustainable well design closed-loop systems heat pumps |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/811 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tawfikelshehabi sustainablegeothermalenergyareviewofchallengesandopportunitiesindeepwellsandshallowheatpumpsfortransitioningprofessionals AT mohammadalfehaid sustainablegeothermalenergyareviewofchallengesandopportunitiesindeepwellsandshallowheatpumpsfortransitioningprofessionals |