CO2-Plume Geothermal (CPG) uses CO2 as a geothermal working fluid to extract geothermal energy from naturally permeable reservoirs at ~2–5 km depth. Using CO2 typically doubles to triples the geothermal energy extraction rate, while ultimately all CO2 is permanently stored in the subsurface. CPG is therefore regarded as a CCUS technology: CO2 is both utilised as well as stored.
A project consortium led by the research group of Prof. Martin Saar at ETH Zurich is mandated by the Swiss Federal Institute of Energy (SFOE) to carry out a study to evaluate the CPG potential in Switzerland. FGS is part of the project consortium and our team is involved in two work packages. We will be contributing in (1) compiling and reassessing the (deep) subsurface data in Switzerland (mainly seismic and well data), and (2) evaluating the deep CCS potential (CO2 storage capacity volume) in Switzerland.