| Title | Future Directions in Geothermal Modeling |
|---|---|
| Authors | John Burnell, Emily Clearwater, Adrian Croucher, Warwick Kissling, John O’Sullivan, Michael O’Sullivan, Angus Yeh |
| Year | 2012 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | Geothermal modelling, TOUGH2 |
| Abstract | Numerical modelling is increasingly playing a key role in the planning and management of geothermal developments, but many of the modelling tools that are used today have origins in the 1980s. This heritage poses significant challenges for developing the complex models that are required today. This paper will use the modelling of Wairakei and other geothermal systems to provide a context for considering what the next generation geothermal reservoir simulator should look like. Matters that will be discussed include: - Modelling complex geologies and linking with tools such as MVS and Leapfrog - Advanced treatments of wells - Modelling the top of the system - surface features, groundwater levels and capping structures - Modelling moving fronts, boiling zones, and chemistry - Model calibration - Very deep systems and supercritical fluids - Fluid rock interactions - Numerics - Model management |