Groundwater Circulation Wells and Geothermal Use: A Review

Groundwater Circulation Wells (GCWs) are used as parts of an applicable, helpful, and cost-effective system to produce thermal energy and electricity, and at the same time to remediate aquifer. It circulates groundwater within aquifers to efficiently transfer thermal energy. In this review, first the principles, mechanism, design and application of the system are described. The countries that use this system will be introduced using statistics about the number of geothermal fields of those countries and the amount of the produced energy and electricity. Among those countries, the top ten countries in the globe using this system are introduced accompanied by the maps of geothermal fields in those countries and the geologic and geotechnical conditions that suggested preferring GCW and geothermal power plants for producing heat and electricity. Also, the plans of those countries to expand the system in future will be stated. Meanwhile, some case studies in some countries – including Iran – are reviewed, and the applicability and usefulness of the method are discussed mentioning the advantages and disadvantages of the system. The review also highlights the role of GCW in ground-source heat pumps, enhanced geothermal systems, and Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES). Moreover, some challenges such as design complexity, contamination risks particularly on groundwater, and Environmental impacts are stated. The review emphasizes the potential of GCWs to meet a part of energy and electricity needs.

کلیدواژه ها:

Groundwater ، geothermal well ، energy ، GCW ، Geothermal power plant ، Iran