**Meet the editor**

Dr. B. Ismail is currently an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. In 2004, Prof. Ismail earned his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. From 2004 to 2005, he worked as a Postdoctoral researcher at McMaster University. His

specialty is in engineering heat transfer, engineering thermodynamics, and energy conversion and storage engineering. Dr. Ismail's research activities are theoretical and applied in nature. Currently, his research areas of interest are focused on green engineering technologies related to alternative and renewable energy systems for power generation, heating and cooling. Dr. Ismail was the leading research investigator in a collaborative project (2007-2010) with Goldcorp-Musselwhite Canada Ltd. and Engineering of Lakehead University. This innovative project was state-of-the-art in geothermal energy-related technology applied in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Dr. Ismail has published many technical reports and articles related to his research areas in reputable International Journals and Conferences. During his research activities, Dr. Ismail has supervised and trained many graduate students and senior undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering with projects and theses related to innovative renewable and alternative energy engineering, and technologies.

## Contents

## **Preface XI**


## Preface

Geothermal energy means the natural heat energy from the Earth. The source of geothermal energy is the continuous heat energy flux flowing from the interior of the Earth towards its surface. The geothermal resources of the Earth are enormous; for example, the part of geo‐ thermal energy stored at a depth of 3 km is estimated to be 1,194,444,444 TWh which is much larger compared to all fossil fuel resources combined, whose energy equivalent is esti‐ mated to be 1, 010,361 TWh. Geothermal energy resources vary geographically from one lo‐ cation to another, depending on the depth and temperature of the resource, the rock chemical composition and the abundance of ground water. Unlike other conventional and renewable energy sources, geothermal energy has unique features; namely, it is available, stable at all times throughout the year, independent of weather conditions, and has an inher‐ ent storage capability. Geothermal energy is also considered to be an environmentally friendly clean energy source that could significantly contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions when utilized for electrical power generation. It was estimated that the world net electricity demand is going to increase by approximately 85% from 2004 to 2030, rising from 16,424 TWh (in 2004) to 30,364 TWh in the year 2030 so that the utilization of geothermal energy for power generation continues to be an attractive solution especially with the new discoveries of innovative technological methods of drilling and power generation cycles. The utilization of geothermal energy can also be used for direct heating applications.

Due to its important utilization and future prospects, various interesting topics of research related to geothermal energy are covered in this book. This book is the result of contribu‐ tions from several researchers and experts worldwide. It is hoped that the book will become a useful source of information and basis for extended research for researchers, academics, policy makers, and practitioners in the area of geothermal energy.

This book contains six chapters. Chapter one presents a detailed theoretical study, economic analysis (using different indicators), numerical simulations, and experimental investigations of ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems. The main performance parameters (energy efficiency and CO2 emissions) of radiator and radiant floor heating systems connected to a ground-coupled heat pump are compared. Moreover in this chapter, two numerical simula‐ tion models of the useful thermal energy and the system coefficient of performance in heat‐ ing mode are developed using the TRNSYS software. Finally, the simulations obtained from TRNSYS program are analyzed and compared to experimental measurements.

Chapter two primarily discusses various challenges and opportunities in geothermal energy policies of Indonesia and Philippines in order to adopt them to the Japanese society needs in the future. Also, a review of the processes utilized for policy implementation is presented, looking at the effectiveness of certain policy instruments. Community based development of direct uses of geothermal energy, an area that has not been analyzed adequately in the past, was also assessed in this chapter.

Chapter three reviews geothermal heat generation in crystalline rocks and possible influen‐ ces on overlying sedimentary basins in Western Australia. This chapter also outlines the re‐ gions containing higher than normal levels of uranium, thorium and potassium adjacent to the sedimentary basins, and propose correlations between these regions to elevated heat flow in the sedimentary basins.

In chapter four, a methodology based on the variations of geochemical and production data of wells overtime, was described. This methodology has proved to be successful to investi‐ gate the response of geothermal reservoirs to exploitation and its use was illustrated in some examples for Mexican geothermal fields. The results from this approach together with re‐ sults from other disciplines provide support in field management on delineating optimal exploitation strategies to prolong the geothermal reservoir lifetime in a sustainable way.

Chapter five discusses simple approach to use airborne magnetic data for the investigation of high-temperature geothermal resources in volcanic setting. The physical background of airborne magnetic survey is discussed in a way that is simple and easy to understand. Ex‐ amples are given for interpretations of real airborne magnetic data observed at two different magnetic latitudes, the North Island of New Zealand and the Java Island of Indonesia. This chapter is aimed to provide researchers with sufficient degree of confidence in organising and/or running investigation of high-temperature geothermal reservoirs using airborne magnetic data.

Finally, chapter six presents detailed information and aspects with examples related to dif‐ ferent surveys methods of geothermal reservoirs. The presented information is resourceful for researchers and practitioners in the area of explorations of geothermal reservoirs for commercially viable power generation systems.

I would like to thank all chapter authors for their efforts and the quality of the chapters pre‐ sented. Also, I would like to thank Ms. Sandra Bakic from InTech publisher for her excellent efforts in managing the publication process of this book.

#### **Dr. Basel I. Ismail, P.Eng.**

Associate Professors and Chair Department of Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Engineering Lakehead University Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
