Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19
Through lectures delivered by academics and industry professionals, you will develop a general understanding of the role of fluid flow, heat transfer, and fractures in different geothermal systems. You will gain practical experience in reservoir modelling and sustainable reservoir management using industry standard computing software. During a field trip to a geothermal site, you will learn about risks and pitfalls in practice. An independent research project provides an opportunity to expand your knowledge on a representative geothermal field.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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The aim of the course is to provide students with knowledge and expertise to understand the geoscience aspects of fluid flow in the subsurface with a focus on heat transfer in different geothermal systems. These include low enthalpy ground-source heating and cooling systems (pumps within shallow aquifers and mine workings) as well as high enthalpy geothermal (hydrothermal) systems, both in sedimentary basins and in active volcanic areas. The content is delivered by both academics and industry professionals in the form of lectures, computer exercises, and field trips and comprises four main parts:
1) Fluid flow fundamentals, heating, cooling, and energy generation
ILOs:
Event type: Lectures, computer exercises, field trip
Assessment: Computer exercise (30%)
2) Fractures and induced seismicity
ILOs:
Event type: Lectures and field trip
Assessment: MCQ (20%)
3) Independent research project
ILOs:
Event type: Independent study, Seminars
Assessment: Poster presentation (50%)
4) Reservoir modelling short course
ILOs:
Event type: Lectures and computer exercises
Assessment: not assessed, but prerequisite for “Subsurface Storage and Sequestration” course
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| Glasgow: £200 per student (£100 train travel, £50 accommodation for two nights, £50 subsistence) Peterhead: £250 minibus hire (total), £20 subsistence per student | 450.0000 |
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 33 | Feedback Weeks | 36 | |
| Feedback |
2-hour exam Students will answer questions related to the material covered in Part 2 of the course (fractures and induced seismicity) |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Explain the role of fractures for fluid flow properties and geothermal productivity |
| Factual | Understand | Describe the processes that lead to induced seismicity in a geothermal system and the strategies employed to mitigate the seismic risk |
| Procedural | Apply | Identify properties of fractures in the field and classify them |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 33 | Feedback Weeks | 36 | |
| Feedback |
Students will present the results of their independent research project to their fellow students in a 10 min oral poster presentation. The content and style of the poster and the ability of the student to answer questions will be evaluated. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Analyse key parameters and characteristics of a representative geothermal field and explain them on a scientific poster |
| Conceptual | Understand | Distinguish different types of geothermal systems, including low-enthalpy aquifers and high-enthalpy deep/enhanced systems, and assess their risks and benefits |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 31 | Feedback Weeks | 34 | |
| Feedback |
Using software such as Matlab, Python, or FEFLOW, students will model fluid flow and heat transfer in a geothermal system. Adjusting different in- and output parameters they will demonstrate how to manage heat production in a geothermal system sustainably. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Explain the dynamics of fluid flow and heat transfer in geothermal systems. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Evaluate heat production in a geothermal system and manage it sustainably based on a simple numerical model |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Explain the dynamics of fluid flow and heat transfer in geothermal systems. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Evaluate heat production in a geothermal system and manage it sustainably based on a simple numerical model |
| Conceptual | Understand | Explain the role of fractures for fluid flow properties and geothermal productivity |
| Procedural | Apply | Identify properties of fractures in the field and classify them |
| Factual | Understand | Describe the processes that lead to induced seismicity in a geothermal system and the strategies employed to mitigate the seismic risk |
| Conceptual | Understand | Distinguish different types of geothermal systems, including low-enthalpy aquifers and high-enthalpy deep/enhanced systems, and assess their risks and benefits |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Analyse key parameters and characteristics of a representative geothermal field and explain them on a scientific poster |
| Procedural | Understand | Discuss the approaches employed in building qualitative and quantitative geological models of the subsurface, and the difficulties associated with doing this reliably |
| Procedural | Apply | Build a simple model of a subsurface flow unit and test model parameters on observed flow |
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