Geothermo-mechanical alterations due to heat energy extraction in enhanced geothermal systems: Overview and prospective directions

Abstract

	•Studies on the impact of geomechanical properties on heat extraction in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) are reviewed.
	•The most critical influence is summarized and highlighted using two working fluids: water and CO2.
	•Efficient geothermal energy extraction in EGS/CO2-EGS is affected by a complex hydraulically induced fracture network.
	•Thermo-mechanical interactions are complex and induce varying alterations of mechanical response in EGS.
	•Waterless-stimulated EGS is proposed as an alternative approach to improve heat energy extraction in EGS.

Keywords

CO ₂-EGS / enhanced geothermal systems / geomechanics / geothermal energy / underground thermal energy

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