| Abstract |
The advancement of hydrothermal plants and enhanced geothermal systems is significantly dependent on the accurate characterization of various parameters, such as pressure, temperature, fluid chemistry, fracture mapping, feed zone flow rate, casing scale and corrosion, rock strain, and cement/rock integrity. These measurements are taken during and after the development of geothermal wells using specialized high-temperature subsurface instrumentation, which must withstand harsh well conditions, including high temperatures, elevated pressures, corrosive fluids, and considerable depths. Sandia National Laboratories has identified several challenges related to high-temperature subsurface instrumentation. To thoroughly understand these challenges, Sandia conducted interviews with various experts from the geothermal industry, including original equipment manufacturers and service providers involved in well evaluation, who possess firsthand experience in assessing the geothermal subsurface. To support the rigorous advancement of geothermal energy production as a global renewable resource, we have pinpointed four priority areas for research and development: embedded electronic systems, sensing technologies, communications, and energy storage solutions. Addressing the existing technology gap necessitates a strategic prioritization of research and development efforts. By concentrating on these critical areas, we can create more robust and reliable tools that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of geothermal energy extraction. Ultimately, these advancements will facilitate the broader adoption of geothermal energy as a sustainable and dependable power source. SNL is managed and operated by NTESS under DOE NNSA contract DE-NA0003525. |