| Title | Thermal and Hydrological Regional Characterisation of Los Humeros and Acoculco (Mexico) Using Modelling Methods – H2020 GEMex Project |
|---|---|
| Authors | Damien BONTE, Jon LIMBERGER, Gianluca GOLA, Eugenio TRUMPY, Guido GIORDANO, Thomas KRETZSCHMAR, Jan Diederik VAN WEES |
| Year | 2020 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Mexico, Los Humeros, Acoculco, Modelling, Hydrogeology, Temperature, Enhanced geothermal system, superhot geothermal system |
| Abstract | The GEMex project is a collaborative effort between Mexican and European research institutes to develop the understanding of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and SuperHot Geothermal Systems (SHGS). For this purpose two volcanic sites have been selected: Los Humeros and Acoculco. Both sites are volcanically active or have experienced volcanic activity recently, including caldera formation at some point in their history. In Acoculco, the recently published work of Avellán et al. (2018) show the latest knowledge on the evolution of the volcanic system. In Los Humeros, Carrasco et al. (2017) present a reinterpreted history of the whole system. However, while Los Humeros has experienced strong hydrothermal activity, Acoculco is presently considered as a dry system. In the frame of this GEMex project thermal models have been developed for both sites and an hydrothermal model in Los Humeros. The thermal models rely on 3D geological models, also developed in GEMex and information such as rock properties (also being acquired within GEMex) and temperature data (limited in Acoculco and more extensive but regrouped in Los Humeros). In Los Humeros, a fast and efficient thermal modelling methodology was applied, considering the regional heat source and advection related to regional groundwater flow and local high permeability zones. The hydrogeology in Los Humeros has been specifically modelled based on groundwater flow in the limestone basement, taking into consideration the heat source below the volcanic system. In Acoculco, given the scarce temperature information available, work has focused on investigating the geometry of the heat source and the resulting thermal structure. A better understanding of the nature of the Los Humeros and Acaculco geothermal systems is key for sustainable and safe production and for future geothermal exploration and development. This abstract presents results of the GEMex Project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 727550, and by the Mexican Energy Sustainability Fund CONACYT SENER, Project 2015-04-268074. More information can be found on the GEMex Website: http://www.gemex-h2020.eu. |