Geothermal energy - Presentation

0:04 : As an active player in the energy transition, Storengy designs, develops
0:09 : and operates geothermal sites for its customers all over the world. Depending
0:14 : on local energy needs and the characteristics of the subsurface,
0:17 : geothermal energy can generate green, non-intermittent electricity for urban areas and industrial sites.
0:23 : It can also produce heat or cold to supply current and future networks in towns and regions.
0:29 : Let's take a look at a geothermal energy project.
0:33 : Geothermal energy is the Earth's energy, a low-carbon and almost infinite
0:37 : renewable source that uses the subsurface's natural heat.
0:41 : In high-temperature geothermal sites, located in volcanic regions for example,
0:45 : the temperature can reach 250°C at a depth of 1500 metres. Rocks transmit
0:51 : their heat to the water that flows through the faults.
0:53 : This hot water is the resource used in geothermal projects. The first stage of a
0:58 : project consists of assessing the site's energy and economic potential. Once the
1:02 : necessary permits have been acquired, a field assignment is conducted to collect
1:06 : various samples (gas, hot water and rocks) and take geophysical measurements.
1:11 : The geologists and reservoir engineers use the information gathered to demarcate
1:15 : favourable areas and determine the location of the first exploration well.
1:19 : The well is designed and then drilled.
1:22 : Once the site's potential has been confirmed,
1:25 : other wells are also drilled and surface facilities built.
1:31 : The project then enters the operating phase. The hot water rises from the
1:36 : subsurface through the wells as the pressure decreases the water partially
1:40 : transforms into steam.
1:47 : The steams energy drives a turbine and an alternator which generates an electric current.
1:52 : The largest facilities can supply a town of
1:55 : more than 100,000 residents with electricity. When it leaves the turbine
2:01 : the residual steam, condensed into water, is reinjected into the subsurface.
2:10 : In low-temperature geothermal sites, the temperature is between 65°C and 110°C.
2:16 : A well pumps hot water from an aquifer.
2:20 : The hot water passes through a heat exchanger that harnesses its calories
2:24 : and is then reinjected into the aquifer. The heat circulates in the heat
2:28 : exchanger to supply the heating network of an agglomeration, eco districts or
2:32 : industrial site. The local rootedness of Storengy's geothermal energy projects
2:36 : enable them to reliably deliver a steady supply of electricity and heat. As such
2:40 : they contribute to the development of renewable energy, the energy independence
2:44 : of regions and consequently a carbon-free energy mix.

0:00 : Hello let me introduce you to our company, Storengy, a subsidiary of
0:04 : ENGIE is the first natural gas storage operator in Europe
0:09 : We develop and operate all kinds of energies storage solutions.
0:13 : A committed energy transition player
0:14 : Storengy also offers technical skills in developing geothermal projects
0:19 : to numerous partners worldwide with over 60 years experience in storage
0:23 : development and operations and more than 600 wells drilled we have a natural gas
0:28 : storage capacity of 12 billion cubic meters on 21 sites in Europe.
0:32 : All of our projects are based on respecting local authorities regulations...
0:40 : And safety is an essential aspect of operations and management.
0:45 : Drilling can begin.
0:46 :  Some essential elements are needed for successful work.
0:50 : First of all : a consolidated ground
0:54 : a 40 meters high derrick,
0:55 : a working platform,
0:57 : 6 meters above ground where tools are assembled and operated,
1:02 : a control room,
1:03 : a drill bit,
1:06 : drilling rods which can be screwed together to reach great depths,
1:11 : a blowout preventer for safety in case of drilling in a pressurised environment,
1:16 : a mud zone with tanks, drilling fluid and vibrating screens,
1:21 : a zone for dealing with spoil with a settling pit
1:26 : and lastly electricity generators to power
1:29 : the working area.
1:32 : Work begins once all these elements have been assembled
1:35 : first of all drilling mud circulates constantly this mud is clay and
1:39 : water-based and cools drilling tools and consolidates to well
1:43 : 2 main stages are alternated to drill well the first stage consists of driving the drilling
1:48 : tool into the ground using heavy roads operated for the working platform
1:52 : it crushes the ground and begins to form the well the second stage consists of
1:56 : inserting shaft lining and cementing the drilling tool is brought back to the
1:59 : surface and section of pipe are screwed together and inserted into the hole
2:03 : these pipes are then sealed in the ground using cement.
2:08 : They consolidate the walls and seal the inside of the hole perfectly from the ground.
2:12 : These two stages are alternated.
2:15 : Each drilling stage is carried out with a smaller drill bit than the one used before
2:19 : until the final depth is reached.
2:20 : The holes diameter and the casing pipes get smaller as they go
2:23 : through the geological strata.
2:26 : For geothermal drilling to deviated wells
2:27 : are drilled opposite each, other in order to use the hot ground water in open circuit.
2:31 : circuit during the stages to drilling mud full of crushed rocks resurfaces and
2:36 : is cleaned on the vibrating screens in the mud zone,
2:38 : Once it has been cleared of dirt,
2:40 : the mud is pumped back into the hole.
2:42 : Spoil samples are taken from the vibrating screens
2:44 : and analyzed on the platform
2:47 : to check the geology of the drill strata.
2:49 : The rest is dealt with and removed several times a week
2:52 : and brought to authorized collection sites.
2:54 : Nothing remains on site.
2:56 : We are a responsible company and place environmental and societal commitment
3:00 : at the heart of our concerns.
3:01 : The average setup of a drilling site takes 1 months and a half.
3:05 : If the site is close to houses, sound walls can be built to avoid
3:09 : noise disturbance.
3:10 : When the drilling is completed and all of the equipment
3:12 : dismantle the only visual impact is a wellhead which can even be buried
3:16 : sometimes lastly during the operational phase
3:19 : Storengy drives the wells performance and guarantees the operational
3:23 : monitoring by carrying out maintenance.
3:25 : Once built the wells make it possible to
3:27 : supply an urban community with energy while remaining in line with the energy
3:31 : transition they're connected to the natural gas transmission and
3:34 : distribution grids if the located on our storage sites or
3:38 : to electricity and heating networks in connection with the geothermal project
3:42 : the supplying and consumers with renewable non intermittent energy.