Events

Speaker
Maurice B. Dusseault, Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Ontario

Presentation
Subsurface Energy Storage Geomechanics

Abstract
Subsurface energy storage will benefit the Energy Transition. These methods need geomechanics and disciplines such as oil and gas engineering, heat transfer, and hydrology.

• Compressed Air (CA) in Caverns, Wellbores, Aquifers (E ≈ 50-70%)
• Seasonal Low-Grade Thermal Storage (TS) in Rock (E ≈ 60-80%)
• Pumped Hydro (PH) Energy Storage (E ≈ 85%)
• Subsurface Renewable Fuel Storage (FS) (H2, CH4, NH3, C6H6, …) (E ≈ 40-50%)

CA and PH are mechanical energy storage methods. Grid-scale CA (>200 MWh) is stored in salt caverns and aquifers, small-scale CA (<100 MWh) can use site-agnostic, steel-cased, cemented wellbores.

PH depends on volume and vertical drop; subsurface PH repurposes depleted mines, but a surface reservoir is needed. Deep mines are most desirable, and powerhouse and penstock design are critical.

A compact, large-volume TS facility can store low-grade heat seasonally for habitat heating and some power. Waste low-grade heat from EGS development can be stored beneficially.
FS has been used for CH4 storage for >60 yr.; gaseous (H2) or liquid fuels (CH3OH) made with renewable energy or biological sources can be stored in salt caverns, depleted reservoirs, or steel-cased wellbores.

Subsurface energy storage involves pressure and temperature limits analysis, heat recovery and use, powerhouse design, cavern integrity, THMC coupled modelling, and induced seismicity analysis, as well as more conventional rock mechanics. The seminar will address these geomechanical needs.

Bio
Maurice Dusseault is a professor of Geological Engineering at the University of Waterloo. In his 48-year academic career, he has published over 200 journal publications, 500 full-text conference articles, two books and many chapter contributions, received many patents related to subsurface technology, given short courses in over 20 countries, lectured in 35 countries on oil- and gas-related issues, and started six companies, five of which remain active. Maurice has authored numerous consulting reports for over 60 companies around the world. He served the Alberta government as a special science advisor for seven years and sat on expert panels for hydraulic fracturing, deep well disposal, and other issues for four Canadian provinces, American government agencies, and industry. He holds a BSc (1971) and PhD (1977) from the University of Alberta and is a Professional Engineer in Alberta and Ontario.

Location
CPE 2.204

Questions?
Rowan Halliday

About the Seminar
The Hildebrand Department’s Claude R. Hocott Lectureship in Petroleum Engineering is a weekly seminar series for current graduate students that features expert speakers on cutting-edge energy and subsurface engineering topics. For more information, contact Associate Professor Nicolas Espinoza.