Modelling potential geological CO2 Storage combined with CO2- Plume Geothermal (CPG) Energy Extraction near Eclépens, Switzerland

Summary Isolating and permanently geologically storing CO2 in so-called Carbon Capture, and Storage (CCS) systems will play a key role for mitigating global climate change, particularly when considering that some industrial processes, e.g. cement manufacturing, inherently generate CO2. However, while CCS is a technologically feasible solution, it is currently prohibitively expensive at full commercial scale. Thus “subsidising” CCS by utilising captured CO2 while permanently storing it becomes necessary (CO2 Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) concept). Combining CCS with geothermal energy production in so-called CO2-Plume Geothermal (CPG) energy systems is such a CCUS system. Moreover, the widespread implementation of CPG power plants would enable the utilisation of a reliable and carbon-neutral renewable energy source. The here-presented first-order conceptual study investigates the feasibility of the CPG CCUS technology in Triassic saline formations in the greater Eclepens area of Western Switzerland (Molasse Basin). We have built a simplified, literature-based geological computer model of a conceptual anticline structure near the Eclepens heat anomaly for this study. Dynamic reservoir simulations were conducted to estimate the general reservoir properties and to investigate the subsurface response to CO2 injection, storage, and circulation. This enables both, the estimation of the geological CO2 storage and the CPG- based power generation potential.