| Abstract |
Superhot geothermal resources, associated with magmatic intrusions, represent a significant step forward for geothermal energy development due to their potential for high power output and efficiency. However, conventional geothermal reservoir models typically oversimplify these magmatic heat sources by applying fixed boundary conditions, thus limiting their accuracy in predicting reservoir behavior near intrusions. This study introduces a novel modeling approach, explicitly incorporating discrete magmatic intrusions into field-scale geothermal reservoir simulations using the Krafla geothermal system in Iceland as a proof-of-concept. Utilizing the Complex Systems Modelling Platform (CSMP++), our model captures the complex thermal and fluid flow dynamics at the magma-hydrothermal interface, including temperature-dependent permeability and localized high-permeability damage zones near intrusions. Calibration against data from the Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP-1) demonstrates how variations in permeability significantly influence reservoir behavior, fluid enthalpy, and achievable mass flow rates. Our findings indicate that explicitly modeling magmatic intrusions offers critical insights into reservoir performance and long-term sustainability of superhot geothermal systems. This approach provides enhanced predictive capabilities, enabling more effective resource management and optimized well design for the Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) project. Moreover, this approach has broad implications for future geothermal developments globally. |