Quantifying the contribution of heat recharge from confining layers to geothermal resources

Geothermal operations are expanding and increasingly contributing to the current energy supply. Assessing long-term operable lifetime of these projects is complicated as reservoirs they produce from often deep subsurface properties uncertain spatially variable. The minimum a geothermal project usually considers heat in place reservoir, but not flow confining layers into reservoir during operation. For economic feasibility optimal design it key capture this process, allows more accurate prediction extraction temperature. Previous studies conclusive on contribution vertical recharge layers. This research evaluates production for projects. In simulation study with an idealised, homogeneous system, thickness, well placement rate varied investigate their respective influence thermal recharge. results show that may contribute considerably total output well. Due recharge, systems than under specific conditions produced can be five times large. largest vertically expected thin long interaction time between injection water (i.e. large spacing, low rate). insights help optimise operation individual utilisation