| Title | Synergistic CO₂ Co-Injection in Geothermal Systems: A Pathway to Localized Carbon Storage and Sustainable Energy |
|---|---|
| Authors | Nick H., Mortezaeikia V., Sabooniha E., Kermani H |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | This study investigates the synergistic integration of subsurface water injection systems with localized CO₂ sequestration to address challenges in sustainable energy production and carbon emissions reduction. By co-injecting CO₂ into geothermal and other subsurface water injection systems, the approach offers a dual benefit: enhancing local carbon storage while improving geothermal energy production. This method circumvents the need for costly CO₂ transport to centralized storage sites, making it particularly advantageous for small-scale emitters. The project focuses on CO₂–rock–brine interactions under reservoir pressure–temperature conditions, assessing mineral trapping efficiency, reservoir capacity, and the influence of thermo-hydro-chemical processes to evaluate the feasibility and risks of co-injection, including potential impacts on injectivity, mineral dissolution, and gas plume formation. The study includes a global assessment of geothermal doublet projects to estimate the potential CO₂ storage capacity in these fields over the next decade. A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) is conducted to quantify the environmental and economic benefits of co-injection relative to conventional CCS approaches. By leveraging the global expansion of geothermal energy, this research aims to develop a scalable, localized, and cost-effective strategy—for both CO₂ management and enhanced geothermal energy production—encouraging future deployment of integrated geothermal–CCS systems and contributing to the broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions. |