| Abstract |
Mexico has considerable conventional geothermal potential, highlighted by the five high-enthalpy geothermal fields currently used for electric power generation. However, its generation capacity has not increased over the last decade. On the other hand, a key advantage of geothermal energy is its ability to serve as a primary energy source across various applications. This leads to energy savings compared to conventional sources and directly contributes to the industrial, commercial, and social sectors. In this context, a study was conducted on non-conventional geothermal resources, focusing on locations such as water wellbores, hydrocarbon wellbores, and mining areas that show thermal anomalies in the subsurface. Thermal geophysical parameters, such as bottom-hole temperature logs, geothermal gradient, and heat flow values, were then analyzed. First, a catalog of direct uses in the northwest region of Mexico is proposed, based on energy needs, socioeconomic characteristics, and available resources. Ninety-two sites were analyzed, revealing that only the heat stored in 43 wellbores can be exploited, with 28 direct applications feasible. Second, several sites in north-central Mexico, mainly deep hydrocarbon wellbores, were examined to assess their geothermal potential for electricity generation or direct applications. The geothermal gradients of 48 sites in this area range from 8 to 60 °C/km. The geothermal potential was estimated by applying an organic Rankine cycle system, resulting in net thermal potentials between 0.07 and 2.9 MW, with an "invested" work output between 0.01 and 1.8 MW. This study offers a clearer understanding of the significant energy potential derived from non-conventional sites |