Today’s blog article overviews SCS Engineers’ expertise and work in underground fluid flow simulations, focusing on geothermal energy systems, carbon capture and storage, and related environmental and energy applications. It details the scientific and engineering challenges of geothermal energy extraction, the use of multiphase numerical simulations, the potential of geothermal energy in the clean energy transition, and the expanding roles of many specialized geologists.
Energy-intensive industries are indispensable to the U.S. economy, producing the materials, products, and infrastructure services essential to the U.S. Innovations in industry-specific technologies for subsectors are driven by demand and have the greatest potential to ensure the security and competitiveness of the U.S., increase operational efficiency, and strengthen the manufacturing workforce. These innovations come from those in the field working closely with engineers, scientists, technologists, and yes, geologists.
Background and Expertise
SCS professionals specialize in the flow of water and other fluids underground, with work including analysis of well logs, geophysical and geochemical analyses, and stratigraphic assessment. We emphasize numerical simulations of multiphase flows, which involve the simultaneous flow of multiple fluid phases, such as liquid water, steam, supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2), and gases. Multiphase flow expertise applies to geothermal energy projects, where SCS conducts extensive numerical simulations to guide reservoir evaluation and management, as well as CO2 injection for carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives. CCS systems are critical for ensuring safe, economically viable underground CO2 storage, with an emphasis on preventing leaks, human-caused earthquakes, and protecting drinking water supplies.
Geothermal Energy and Multiphase Simulation
Geothermal energy is used for space heating and cooling in buildings by circulating heated or cooled water through pipes. This application is significant because building or retrofitting the existing building portfolio with a geothermal heat pump system is feasible for many, including grocery stores and data centers.
These simulators can be adapted to simulate CO2 injection in geologic formations, which also involve multiphase flow and chemical reactions. In all cases, the essential objective is to understand and quantify key aspects of the modeled system to assist decision-makers in avoiding negative outcomes such as electricity production loss, contamination of water supplies, or other problematic outcomes.
Applications for Geothermal Energy
Furthermore, temperature control in buildings is the single largest energy use sector in the USA, accounting for 32% of energy in commercial buildings [1] and 42% of household energy [2].
Advantages and Challenges of Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is a component of the clean energy transition in the U.S. because it provides base-load energy that is always available, unlike intermittent sources such as solar or wind. It has significant potential for expansion, especially with enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) that improve permeability at greater depths to access higher temperatures, and with supercritical water systems that offer a large energy potential but pose challenging materials and chemical challenges.
Geothermal electricity cannot be produced economically everywhere; for example, much of the continental interior of the U.S. lacks enough heat at any shallow depths. However, direct use applications like heating and cooling have much broader geographic potential because the required water temperature is much lower.
Enhanced Geothermal Systems and Innovations
Opportunities and Market Potential
There is significant potential to expand geothermal energy use, particularly for direct applications in building temperature control, data centers, greenhouses, and district heating systems across the U.S. This can reduce carbon footprints, lower energy bills, and shift energy consumption away from fossil fuels. Internationally, regions such as Latin America (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia) and East Africa have significant untapped geothermal potential, offering opportunities for expansion and market growth.
We hope you enjoy this summary and insights into geothermal energy. We emphasize the role of multiphase simulations, the diverse applications of geothermal heat, ongoing innovations, and the broad opportunities for geothermal energy deployment nationally and internationally. At SCS Engineers, this science creates many opportunities for rewarding work and careers that improve our environment.
Have a question? Click here. We’re happy to connect with you and answer any questions you may have.
Related Geothermal Energy Resources and Topics:
Corporate Headquarters
