The Geothermal Institute

The Geothermal Institute

The Geothermal Institute New Zealand has an outstanding reputation for its geothermal expertise around the world.

The Geothermal Institute was established in 1978 and today, it is one of only a few institutions in the world to offer comprehensive education and training courses in geothermal energy and technology, exploration, simulation, and modelling. The Institute is widely recognised for the excellence of its research and teaching.

New Zealand has a long heritage of excellence in geothermal energy.

In the 1940s, New Zealand began to investigate it’s geothermal energy resource. In 1958 the Wairakei geothermal field was the world’s first high-temperature wet steam geothermal system to be used for power generation. The Wairakei power station is still a significant contributor to New Zealand’s renewable energy generation.

New Zealand has been at the forefront of geothermal research and training. Our scientific and engineering skills have contributed to thousands of megawatts of geothermal power developments internationally and the identification of far greater potential resources. The domestic plants built in New Zealand are recognised as representing world’s best practices from the application of exploration sciences, through feasibility, design, construction and operation. Geothermal plants in New Zealand meet the most rigorous environmental standards under New Zealand’s Resource Management Act. The Geothermal Institute has specialised in research and training within geothermal energy and technology for over 35 years.

We work with international energy companies, governments, consultancies, and research organisations on teaching courses, research and development and commercial projects. Since 1978, more than 1500 students have graduated from the Institute with a globally recognised qualification in geothermal energy. Today, many of them hold senior positions in the geothermal industry internationally.

Geothermal energy and your career Your career in geothermal engineering starts here, at the Geothermal Institute at the University of Auckland.

Geothermal energy is the energy of the future – and not just for those countries lucky enough to have their own high temperature geothermal energy sources. For countries with no high temperature geothermal resources, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) may be able to provide a large source of reliable, clean, baseload energy. Geothermal energy can be sustainably managed, making it an attractive adjunct to other forms of energy generation.

New Zealand has 25 high-temperature geothermal systems, and many beautiful natural thermal springs. We have 60 years’ experience of developing and sustainably managing geothermal fields.

Our graduates can be found working in the geothermal industry in New Zealand, USA, Indonesia, Philippines, and other parts of Asia, South America and Africa. Their skills are in high demand around the world.

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Our people The Geothermal Institute is hosted by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland.

The Institute is the portal for engaging with the University on all matters related to geothermal energy.

We bring together the expertise, coordinating scientists and engineers from across the University to carry out our geothermal research, education, consulting, and training programmes.

Professor Rosalind Archer Director Professor Archer is the Geothermal Institute Director. Her research centres on reservoir engineering, with application to geothermal reservoirs. She and her students aim to develop tools to integrate geological, geophysical and geochemical data into reservoir engineering models.

Her current research focuses on thermohydro-mechanical geothermal modelling, systematic characterisation of geothermal reservoirs, the use of geostatistical models, and the use of reservoir modelling to determine and monitor geothermal reserves. She is on the board of the NZ Geothermal Association and is a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand. She coordinates the Master of Energy program.

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Professor Mike O’Sullivan

Dr Sadiq Zarrouk

Professor O’Sullivan is a Fellow of Engineering NZ and has a personal chair in Engineering Science.

In 2011, he was awarded the Henry J. Ramey Award for Geothermal Reservoir Engineering. His research interests cluster around the modelling of geothermal fields, but more generally reservoir physics, environmental fluid dynamics, and computational fluid dynamics problems.

He has pioneered computer techniques for numerical modelling of geothermal reservoirs, and applied them to the behaviour of many real systems. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union, Geothermal Resources Council, International Geothermal Association, as well as the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

His recent papers are on a three-dimensional numerical model of the Waiotapu, Waikite, and Reporoa geothermal areas, and on various aspects of TOUGH2 simulations. He teaches in the Postgraduate Certificate course in Geothermal Energy Technology programme.

Dr Zarrouk is the course coordinator and main lecturer of the Post Graduate Certificate course in Geothermal Energy Technology. Dr Zarrouk’s research interests span geothermal reservoir engineering (reservoir characterisation, well testing, stimulation, and reservoir modelling), geothermal engineering (power production and direct use applications), and the simulation of reacting flows in porous and fractured media.

He has recently published on test analysis of geothermal wells using the pressure derivative, a numerical model of the Habanero geothermal reservoir in Australia, geothermal steam-water separators, and silica scaling in geothermal heat exchangers. He is a member of the International Geothermal Association and the Iceland Deep Drilling Project. He is an elected member of the boards of directors of the New Zealand Geothermal Association, and the International Geothermal Association.

Dr Bridget Lynne Dr Lynne is a geothermal geologist with research interests in geothermal geology and geochemistry. Her PhD was on the characterisation and preservation potential of siliceous sinters (hot spring rocks). Her research interests include fluid-rock interaction and hydrothermal alteration. Bridget has developed new scientific capabilities such as: new methodologies to study subsidence at geothermal sites; high-resolution data acquisition and interpretation of core, to address unique, site specific extraction and injection productivity issues; exploration of blind geothermal systems by combining her knowledge of sinters with Ground Penetrating Radar. She has also developed a ‘silicamometer’ to determine the historic mass flow rate at extinct hot spring sites. Dr Lynne frequently works with geothermal exploration companies.

She has recently published her work on subsidence at the Wairakei-Tauhara geothermal field, mapping paleo-flow pathways in hot springs using siliceous sinter architecture, and impacts of post-depositional environmental setting on siliceous sinters diagenesis. She teaches in the Postgraduate Certificate course in Geothermal Energy Technology.

Dr John O’Sullivan Dr O’Sullivan’s research centres on computational fluid dynamics for environmental flows: modelling flow through porous media (as applied to geothermal reservoirs). This includes improving geothermal reservoir models by including geological structural information; inverse modelling to assist with geothermal model calibration and to enable uncertainty analysis of geothermal reservoir models. He also uses scripting and parallelisation to control large and complex models. He has recently applied these advanced techniques to models of Lihir (PNG), Orakei Korako (New Zealand), and Menengai (Kenya). He teaches in the Postgraduate Certificate course in Geothermal Energy Technology.

Faculty of Engineering Research in the Department of Engineering Science focuses on geothermal reservoir engineering, environmental fluids research and on numerical simulations of geothermal reservoirs so as to advance understanding of flow phenomena through mathematical, computational and experimental means. Further research in the wider Faculty of Engineering includes process control systems, modelling and optimisation, and the prevention of corrosion and scaling of geothermal turbines, pipes and other geothermal equipment. Within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering the geotechnical laboratory has been employed in providing material property input to subsidence modelling at the Wairakei and Tauhara fields in New Zealand.

Energy Centre The Energy Centre is a multi-disciplinary research and education centre. The Centre’s research programme includes energy, resource and environmental markets. Researchers are engaged in the application of economics to the real world challenges of energy and natural resources.

Project topics include: economics of renewable energy policies; development and integration of renewable energy; market design and analysis; renewable energy contracts; economic models of the optimal use of a geothermal field and geothermal development in the Taupo region, focusing on agreements between land owners and electricity generators.

School of Environment, Faculty of Science The School of Environment has a dedicated group of scientists investigating natural resources including geothermal energy, hydrocarbons, minerals and aggregates. They use state-of-the-art techniques and tools on a wide range of outcrop and subsurface data sets. Their research topics include geothermal reservoir characterisation, structural controls on fluid flow, geochemistry, microseismicity and rock physics.

Industrial Information and Control Centre I2C2, Faculty of Engineering I2C2 is the national focal point for research, study, training, and consultancy in industrial information and control. Its aim is to improve New Zealand’s capability in advanced process simulation and control research. Relevant research projects include geothermal reboiler process development modelling, modelling of integrated energy generation, and design optimisation of an organic Rankine cycle process.

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What our Masters of Energy students say “The broad introduction to the energy industry, research and technology provided by the M Energy has been extremely useful for my career so far.”

“The qualification has been looked on favourably by employers.”

“ENERGY 785+786 – great project with state of the art science.

Particularly in my project I get to apply everything learned in the previous electives (GEOTHERM 601 and 602). Supervisors had a great impact on the quality of the project.”

“GEOTHERM 601 and 602 – very good complementary courses in conjunction. The quality of material taught was excellent, same as the lecturers.”

“My previous employer really encouraged me to pursue this when I told them about scholarship and admission in this programme.”

“The degree is exactly what I was looking for.”

“It broadened my knowledge not only to geothermal energy but also to other energy sources as well.”

“I got to meet fantastic people who gave me feedback and accompanied me throughout the whole research.

Would you recommend the programme to other people?

“Yes, I definitely would; in fact I already have.”

“Yes, and I have to several people.”

Geothermal education and training The Geothermal Institute and the University of Auckland offer a wide range of academic degrees and professional development courses. These offerings include the Postgraduate Certificate in Geothermal Energy Technology, Masters of Energy, Master of Engineering, Master of Science and PhD degree specialisations in a range of topics. The Geothermal Institute also offers public and tailored short courses in a range of topics relevant to geothermal practice.

We offer the following qualifications:

Short Courses

Master of Energy

We also provide short courses, workshops, and training. We have delivered these in Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Chile, USA and Caribbean countries as well as in New Zealand. Our short courses cover topics such as:

The MEnergy is an interfaculty postgraduate degree for Engineering, Science and Business and Economics graduates who wish to develop expertise in any aspect of the energy industry (either technical, business or policy related). It is a one year full time programme that is available as either a taught or a research degree. www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/master-of-energy

• Basics of geothermal science and technology • Geothermal energy in action • Reservoir modelling • Modelling and simulation of multi-phase flow in pipelines and plant

Master of Engineering

• Geothermal process plant control & optimisation

The ME is an all-research, one year degree. We have recently had several students complete MEs on geothermal topics.

• Structural controls on fluid flow

www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/master-of-engineering

• Geothermal surface activity • Environmental impacts

Master of Science

• Sustainability from a geoscience perspective

The MSc offers a range of taught and research programmes depending on specialisation. There are options that include earth sciences, environmental science and management and geophysics.

• Role of a geoscientist

www.science.auckland.ac.nz/msc

• Hydrothermal alteration • Principals and applications of economics to policy design and management of geothermal resources.

Postgraduate Certificate in Geothermal Energy Technology

In addition, we convene the annual New Zealand Geothermal Workshop, which is the longest running energy conference in New Zealand.

The PGCertGeothermTech is aimed at training engineering and science graduates for work in the geothermal industry. It is a one-semester programme and includes two week-long field trips to the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Some lectures are given by staff from GNS Science.

www.geothermalworkshop.co.nz

Scholarships

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) makes scholarships available to students from eligible countries for postgraduate study, including programmes at the Geothermal Institute. Various scholarships are open to overseas geothermal students such as New Zealand Development Scholarships, New Zealand Pacific Scholarships, New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards, and Commonwealth Scholarships

This a programme of advanced research. It typically takes 3 to 4 years to complete.

Information on the various scholarship schemes can be found at www.aid.govt.nz/funding-and-contracts/scholarships

www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/pgcertgeothermtech

www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/phd

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Our research and innovation The Geothermal Institute seeks new and better technologies and techniques to understand, develop, and manage geothermal energy resources and assets. Innovations from the Geothermal Institute include:

Waiwera reservoir simulator

Reinjection in geothermal fields

In collaboration with GNS Science, Geothermal Institute researchers are developing new open source reservoir simulation software for the global geothermal energy industry. The code aims to be the next generation software with integrated geophysical, chemical, and flow simulation modelling tools to better understand heat and mass transfer to and between geothermal systems in order to more reliably model production effects on geothermal fields. This project was supported by New Zealand’s Ministry for Business, Innovation and Enterprise

The Geothermal Institute has carried out a review of experience worldwide of reinjection in geothermal systems and complemented this with a modelling study to test ideas about where it is best to reinject: either infield close to the production wells or far away. The results show that infield reinjection should not be preferred for hot systems like Wairakei but is desirable for hot water systems where pressure support is required.

Geothermal modelling tools The Geothermal Institute’s modellers have developed software tools for geothermal well bore simulations, automated well test analysis, and tracking of geothermal tracers. The modelling group is running large complex models of geothermal fields in New Zealand and overseas. In order to support this a range of visualisation tools have been developed to show the simulation results. PyTOUGH scripting tools have also been developed to assist with running complex models such as that of the Lihir geothermal system, where the excavation of a gold mine has to be included in the model.

See https://github.com/acroucher/PyTOUGH

Control systems for organic Rankine cycle geothermal plants A dynamic model of an ORC plant is being completed and will be used to look at the effectiveness of different control strategies. The aim is to design a control system that takes multiple factors into account such as fouling, plant maintenance, resource consent compliance, reservoir status, and the optimisation of a network of electricity generation plants based on realtime market data.

Scaling in geothermal heat exchangers Mineral scaling has a dramatic impact on the long-term operational performance of geothermal development. It causes a significant reduction in the overall heat transfer coefficient whilst simultaneously increasing the pressure drop and reducing fluid flow, reducing the efficiency and affecting the energy recovery. The project investigates different types of mineral scaling in the geothermal environment (with focus on silica scaling in Heat Exchangers). We use a field-testing rig developed for this project that provides a controlled environment for understanding mineral scaling mechanisms, in order to investigate scaling control, and create mitigation and prevention techniques. The project is undertaken in collaboration with HERA and Contact Energy Ltd.

Hydrothermal alteration

Automated model calibration Geothermal reservoir model calibration is another area of focus. The calibration process determines suitable parameter values for quantities such as permeability and porosity throughout the reservoir. The calibration of a large model where there may be thousands of computational blocks can be very complex. The Institute’s modellers are using innovative approaches to this problem:.

Fluid rock interaction Geothermal Institute modellers are investigating several aspects of fluid rock interaction. The first of these is the modelling of subsidence in geothermal fields. They are a coupling the reservoir modelling software TOUGH2 with the ABAQUS rock mechanics simulator. Available geotechnical expertise provides insight into the compressibility properties of geothermal strata for the ABAQUS modelling. Another study is looking at the effect of the injection of cold water into a hot geothermal reservoir.

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Significant insights about subsurface processes, and how they change with time, can be gained from unravelling the history of hydrothermal alteration recorded in geothermal host rocks. At the Geothermal Institute we are constantly extending our ability to examine fine-scale hydrothermal alteration detail captured in cores and cuttings. We specialise in Scanning Electron Microscopy, complemented by Computerised Tomography (CT) scans.

Hot spring rocks One area of speciality within the Geothermal Institute is the characterisation of siliceous sinter hot spring rocks. Sinters are a surface expression of discharging alkali chloride thermal water, the fluid type we use in our geothermal power plants. Often sinters are the only surface expression of a geothermal reservoir at depth. Recognition of sinters, identification of their overprints and mapping paleo-flow conditions based on sinter architecture is a valuable exploration tool.

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Geothermal applied research and consulting services

Geothermal Engineering

Geothermal Geosciences

Economic Analysis

• Reservoir modelling

• Geothermal exploration

• Investment, LCOE and cost-benefit analysis

• Geothermal welltest analysis

• Data integration and processing

• Econometrics and statistical analysis

• Subsidence modelling

• Well targeting

• Geotechnical testing of cores

• Geological and geochemical surveying

• Governance arrangements for development and utilisation

Geothermal Process Engineering

Materials Characterisation

Public Policy Analysis

• Mineral and organic fouling analysis

• Economic modelling of development

• Multiphase flow modelling

• Fracture analysis

• Regulation of resource and energy markets

• Pipeline modelling

• Identification of corrosion products/scaling products

• Market integration

• Geothermal plant modelling • Plant optimisation

• Contaminant particles identification • Roughness measurements of smooth surfaces • Frictional properties of surfaces

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Geothermal Project Examples The Geothermal Institute works collaboratively with researchers and industry on geothermal projects both in New Zealand and internationally. Example projects include:

Reservoir Modelling Wairakei, New Zealand – 3D modelling supporting management decisions by the field operator, Contact Energy Ltd. Also an important part of the applications for resource consents for the Te Mihi and Tauhara 2 projects.

Ohaaki, New Zealand – High concentrations of carbon dioxide gas required different modelling techniques. Models are being used to plan for future sustainable productivity.

Lihir, Papua New Guinea – Models of the geothermal system at Lihir are being used for two purposes: first to help manage the deep geothermal resource which is being used for electric power production and secondly, to help manage the shallow mining operation which requires shallow steam relief wells to lower pressures and temperatures before the pit is excavated.

Wayang Windu, Indonesia – A modelling study to assist with decision making with regard to the expansion of generation capacity.

Other Geothermal Reservoir Modelling Sites – Reporoa, Mokai and Ngawha (New Zealand), Dieng, Darajat, Silangkitang, Namora (Indonesia), Leyte, Northern Negros, Bacman (Philippines), Olkaria (Kenya), East Mesa (USA), Fushime, Kakkonda (Japan) and Los Humeros (Mexico)

Geothermal Exploration Geothermal Development Company, Kenya – Geoscientific surveys, reservoir modelling studies of normal and supercritical systems, training and workshops and collaborative student projects.

Energia Andina, Chile – Hot spring characterisation of several geothermal prospects in northern Chile.

Sumatra, Indonesia – Geological and geochemistry data was collected and analysed to contribute to investigations to determine drilling targets for a geothermal power development.

Montserrat – Geophysical surveys were employed to establish the structure and distribution of potential fluid resource on this volcanic island.

A zone of apparent high permeability was found and is now the focus of a potential high temperature goethermal power development.

Geothermal Process Engineering Kawerau, New Zealand – Modelling of a whole geothermal process plant with different process configurations to optimise energy and removal of non-condensable gases.

Ngawha, New Zealand – Modelling of a geothermal pipeline and process plant to optimise plant operation and energy recovery.

Geothermal Training and Capacity Building IRENA – Geothermal capacity needs assessment methodology IRENA/CEGA, Chile –Tailored course on geothermal policy, regulation and technology for Andean Countries MFAT/NZAID – Geothermal capability building studies and training courses (Chile, Peru, Argentina, East Africa, Phillipines, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia) Geothermal Development Corporation, Kenya – Tailored course on geothermal policy, regulation and reservoir technology University of Papua New Guinea – Tailored course on developments in geothermal exploration and reservoir modelling 11

Auckland UniServices Ltd Auckland UniServices Limited is the commercial research, knowledge transfer and custom education company for the University of Auckland – dedicated to connecting the University’s capabilities to business and investors, Government and the community. UniServices is a wholly-owned company of the University of Auckland.

In just 30 years UniServices has grown to produce an income of over NZ$130 million per annum, far surpassing any similar organisation in New Zealand and Australia. Our income derives from contract research and consulting, customised education programmes for 25,000 students around the world and from transferring intellectual property developed by staff and students at the University to the public and private sectors.

We are a substantial organisation with over 600 employees, working in 37 countries, and with access to many more academic staff from the University of Auckland. The work of UniServices supports the leadership position of the University of Auckland, and allows the University to expand and enhance its capabilities in commercial and basic research.

For more information on the Geothermal Institute contact Professor Rosalind Archer Geothermal Institute Director Phone: +64 9 923 4517 Email: r.archer@auckland.ac.nz

General Enquiries Email: geothermal@auckland.ac.nz

Dr Pau Medrano, Business Development Manager Phone: +64 27 406 29 44 Email: p.medrano@auckland.ac.nz Chris Carey, Business Development Manager Phone: +64 27 208 42 64 Email: chris.carey@auckland.ac.nz Auckland UniServices Ltd Level 10, 49 Symonds St Auckland, New Zealand

Street and courier address Bioengineering House 70 Symonds Street Auckland

Postal address Geothermal Institute The University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1142 New Zealand

www.geothermal.auckland.ac.nz