Study of Geothermal Energy Potential with Geothermal Doublet: A Case Study for Puga Valley Ladakh

Abstract

The growing demands for renewable energy have made geothermal energy a popular option in recent past. The efficiency of such a system depends on the retention and transport capacity of heat. Hence, model studies under different reservoir conditions are essential. This study is concerned about a geothermal doublet to produce hot groundwater, extract heat, and reinject the cooled down water into the subsurface. Studies are performed by computational tool, COMSOL Multiphysics, to estimate the potential of geothermal reservoirs. The study shows the effect of geothermal doublet on coupled heat transport and groundwater flow. Puga Valley in Ladakh district, 1,600 km from New Delhi and at an altitude of about 4,400 m is considered for the study. The transient temperature distribution in the reservoir is discussed. The effect of natural groundwater flow on the temperature distribution and the influence of production and injection wells, the geothermal doublet, are also discussed.