Reservoir simulations for the assessment of geothermal resources in Indonesia
Report of the project:
Status of project: September 1st 2021
Energy supply for rural areas of Indonesia from geothermal resources?
In Indonesia, geothermal power plants produce electrical energy from several high-enthalpy reservoirs located at the active volcanoes in the country. Non-volcanic low-temperature hydrothermal reservoirs are less attractive for financial investors because of higher economic risks. However, such reservoirs could be used for energy supply in remote areas of the island state. Indonesia’s geological survey, Badan Geologi, is mandated with the preliminary survey of geothermal reservoirs, assess their potential and resource classification.
The aim of the co-operation is qualitative and quantitative improvements of the information about geothermal resources. With this information, resources yet classified as speculative or hypothetical could be classified higher, as geothermal reserves, in the future and thus they become more attractive for licensees developing geothermal energy supply.
One of the methods identified by Badan Geologi that could provide additional meaningful information for reserve assessments is numerical simulation of the production of hot water and/or vapour by using reservoir models, such as those commonly used for the production of oil or natural gas.
Experts seconded to Badan Geologi work together with the partners and advise them in building-up the necessary competences and integrating new methods into established workflows for the preliminary exploration and assessment of geothermal resources in Indonesia. Lessons learned from pilot areas are used to develop and implement technical guidelines for using the new methods.