| Title | J shaped-DEI |
|---|---|
| Authors | D.R. Ordas |
| Year | 2025 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | Geothermal energy, supercritical water, geothermal system, deep thermal storage, low-cost electricity, modular heat exchangers, J-DEI, geothermal heating, high-enthalpy geothermal, geothermal-hydraulic hybrid, New Zealand geothermal resources |
| Abstract | J-DEI Rosetta (J-shaped Double Energy Input – Rosetta Configuration) is an innovative geothermal power system that combines ultra-deep thermal absorption with hydraulic elevation to deliver supercritical water directly to surface-level turbines. Unlike traditional geothermal systems, which rely on subsurface steam or fluid loops, J-DEI Rosetta accumulates heat through modular “thermal arms” located at depths ranging from 1 to 6.5 kilometers. These arms are isolated heating chambers filled with water and partially surrounded by high-temperature thermal salts or geologic formations. Once a target temperature (~500°C) is reached under constant flux conditions, the pressurized fluid is released upward through a dedicated vertical shaft, maintaining high pressure (~14–15 MPa) and temperature until it reaches the surface. Each cycle delivers a burst of usable energy, and by installing multiple synchronized modules, the system achieves continuous power delivery. The modularity of J-DEI Rosetta enables scalability, redundancy, and staged deployment. By using smaller-diameter steel alloy pipes (~35 cm) instead of single large conduits, it also mitigates material stress and reduces construction costs. The system is designed to minimize thermal losses and eliminate reinjection, operating as a one-way conversion of deep thermal energy into surface-level electricity. Preliminary models estimate a net electrical output of up to 2 GW with a Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) as low as US$5.54/MWh, surpassing both conventional geothermal and nuclear benchmarks. J-DEI Rosetta is especially suited for geologically active regions like New Zealand’s Taupō Volcanic Zone, offering a novel alternative for base-load, high-efficiency, and low-cost clean energy. This paper outlines the thermodynamic principles, architectural layout, material challenges, and economic implications of the system, providing the first detailed public analysis of its Rosetta configuration. Although the system benefits from the hydrostatic head of the water column to maintain pressure, the sole external energy input is geothermal heat. The term ‘double energy input’ is thus used conceptually, but the system is fundamentally geothermal-driven. |