Utilization of Offshore Geothermal Resources for Power Generation

Abstract

Today geothermal energy is being utilized on land worldwide and the geothermal resources have a potential of being one of the greatest sustainable energy choice there is. Off shore geothermal energy has not been considered a feasible option, but with increasing energy prices and increasing knowledge of utilization that choice becomes more attractive. The main objective for the project described in the paper is to analyze and compare a number of configurations for potential power production from offshore geothermal resources. Those analyses are compared mainly with technical feasibility in mind. A rough estimation of the economic aspects is analyzed as well. The energy output was calculated using different energy processes using data from the geothermal field in Reykjanes in Iceland. The goal of this work is to establish a map of available options and opportunities within the off shore geothermal industry with Reykjanes ridge particularly in mind.