Our Work

Power Generation

Hydrothermal Systems

Hydrothermal resources consist of heat, groundwater, and specific rock features that allow fluid movement, such as open fractures. Water and steam under pressure in hydrothermal reservoirs can exceed temperatures of 375°C, providing a viable resource for power generation.

Hydrothermal systems generally occur along tectonic plate boundaries, providing potential energy resources in both remote and densely populated areas. RESPEC has completed work worldwide to assist in heating and power generation, harnessing hot water and steam from these reservoirs.

Power Generation

Sedimentary Basins

Sedimentary basins present great potential as an energy resource. Unlike hydrothermal systems, potential projects are not limited to volcanic or tectonic areas that are less extensive than sedimentary basins in their areal dimension. Sedimentary basins are present on all continents and having been explored for oil and gas resources, a large body of data is available for geothermal exploration. Technological advancements in binary cycle power plants (e.g., an Organic Rankine Cycle system ) have made power production possible for sedimentary basins with average geothermal gradients (temperatures greater than 120°C at 3- to 4-kilometer depths).

Sedimentary systems typically consist of production and injection wells that recirculate produced fluid through the reservoir.

• The well flow rates depend on the acceptable pressure change (parasitic load) and the transmissivity of the formations.
• The lifetime of the system is determined by the thermal breakthrough time, which depends on the well spacing.

Heating & Cooling

Direct Heat Use

Geothermal energy is among the oldest, most versatile, and most common ways to use Earth’s natural heat. The simplest uses of geothermal energy harness heat or steam as it leaves the ground: bathing and thermal spas, space heating, greenhouses, district heating systems, and drying—all of which date to prehistoric human civilizations.

Low-grade geothermal resources (i.e., those cooler than 150°C or unable to support power generation) are abundant. The United States Geological Survey estimates that low-grade systems could produce nearly three times the annual thermal needs for residential heating, cooking, and clothes drying. This rises to eight times the thermal needs for these applications when incorporating sedimentary resources.

Direct-use applications extend beyond heating to include greenhouses, aquaculture, food processing, and industrial uses, such as pulp and paper processing and drying construction materials.