Geothermal Energy: From Theoretical Models to Exploration and Development

The internal heat of the planet Earth represents an inexhaustible reservoir of thermal energy known as Geothermal Energy. The 2nd edition of the book covers the geologic and technical aspects of developing all forms of currently available systems using this "renewable" green energy. The book presents the distribution and transport of thermal energy in the Earth. Geothermal Energy is a base load energy available at all times independent of climate and weather. The text treats the efficiency of diverse shallow near surface installations and deep geothermal systems including hydrothermal and petrothermal techniques and power plants in volcanic high-enthalpy fields. The book also discusses environmental aspects of utilizing different forms of geothermal energy, including induced seismicity, noise pollution and gas release to the atmosphere. Chapters on hydraulic well tests, chemistry of deep hot water, scale formation and corrosion, development of geothermal probes, well drilling techniques and geophysical exploration complete the text. This book, for the first time, covers the full range of utilization of Geothermal Energy.

Ingrid Stober studied earth sciences at the University of Freiburg (Germany). In 1985 she received a Ph.D. with the dissertation on “Groundwater flow patterns in hard-rock aquifers, results from pumping- and injection-tests”. Her habilitation thesis on "Hydrogeology of crystalline rocks of the Black Forest, Germany" has been published in 1994. She was working at the Geological Survey of Baden-Württemberg, at the KIT (University of Karlsruhe) and now at the University of Freiburg, with the responsibility for geothermal energy. Her research interests include geothermal waters and hydraulics.

Kurt Bucher studied geology and obtained his Ph.D. at ETH Zurich (Switzerland). He worked as Assistant Professor at the University of Basel (Switzerland), Professor of Geology at the University of Oslo (Norway) and Professor of Mineralogy and Geochemistry at the University of Freiburg (Germany). His research is focused on field studies of water-rock interaction processes in deep geothermal systems.