CONTACT: Dr David McNamara, d.mcnamara@liverpool.ac.uk
Research Theme
Geothermal energy is a key technology for generating renewable, sustainable energy, underpinning the transition to Net-Zero. Critical to the success of any geothermal energy development is subsurface geology: understanding the rocks beneath our feet, how they form geothermal resources and react to injected fluids.
The Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences at the University of Liverpool hosts a variety of expertise in the field of geothermal geoscience and development and our researchers are working alongside industry teams to support the growth of this global industry in ways that are environmentally sound and sustainable.
Research Team
Our researchers have global experience and are leading experts in their respective fields.
Dr David McNamara, Senior Lecturer with over 10-years’ experience working in geothermal consultancy around the world and a leading expert in geomechanical characterisation applied to geothermal field development and exploration alongside hydrothermal alteration mineralogy
Professor Daniel Faulkner, Professor in Geology & Geophysics and a world expert in fluid flow and the application of rock property testing to resource characterisation and modelling who also specialises in the design of bespoke laboratory equipment.
Dr Janine Kavanagh, Reader in Volcanology and expert analogue modeler using state-of-the-art laser imaging to study coupled fluid flow and host-rock deformation processes in geothermal systems.
Professor Ben Edwards, Professor of Engineering Seismology with extensive international experience in research and consultancy in seismic hazards and risk and has played a key role in global research consortia aimed at improving the scientific approach to geothermal seismic monitoring and modelling.
Facilities and Expertise
Reservoir rock property testing
The University of Liverpool’s Rock Deformation Laboratory contains bespoke equipment to quantify reservoir rock properties across a range of geothermal subsurface pressure and temperature conditions.
Scanning Electron Microscopy Shared Research Facility
State-of-the-art microscopes can characterise geothermal alteration mineralogy, reservoir mineral scaling and infrastructure mineral scaling
Geothermal borehole and image logging
Data analysis of geothermal borehole petrophysical logs, and completion and borehole image logs
Fluid flow characterisation
Geomechanical, structural and stress modelling for characterising fluid flow and induced seismicity in geothermal systems
Magma Laboratory
State-of-the-art laser imaging to model the development of fracture networks in geothermal reservoirs and fluid flow quantification
Subsurface characterisation to de-risk geothermal infrastructure
We can support in the planning, development and data analysis of geophysical data associated with natural and induced seismicity and use ground penetrating radar to characterise the shallow subsurface. In addition, we can provide other geophysical survey methods including micro-gravity, resistivity and electromagnetic.
Structure, stress and fluid flow at Te Mihi Wairakei Geothermal Field
In partnership with: Contact Energy Ltd and GNS Science (New Zealand)
Challenge
Located in the north island of New Zealand, the Te Mihi power station is a 166MW geothermal power station operated by Contact Energy Ltd. The team aimed to characterise how structure and stress interact to control fluid flow in the geothermal field, and from this determine the larger scale controls on geothermal expression across the region.
Solution
University of Liverpool researcher Dr David McNamara quantified the structure and stress subsurface data from geothermal logging at the Te Mihi Geothermal Field. The data was combined with analysis of active fault maps created using LiDAR remote sensing and field mapping to produce a new conceptual model for how geothermal fields are expressed in New Zealand’s main geothermal development region.
Impact
This project is an excellent example of a successful collaborative project between researchers and industry geoscientists that has real world impact. New data and interpretations from geothermal well logging were incorporated into conceptual models for the Te Mihi Wairakei Geothermal Field and a new conceptual model for the shallow crust, regional geothermal fluid flow was constructed that will benefit the development of geothermal energy infrastructure across the region.