In the heart of the Baltic region, Lithuania is quietly emerging as a potential powerhouse in geothermal energy, thanks to a groundbreaking study published in the journal Energies. The research, led by Abdul Rashid Memon, a researcher at the Department of Mathematical Modelling, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Kaunas University of Technology, delves into the geothermal potential of the Devonian complex in Lithuania. This isn’t just academic curiosity; it’s a blueprint for transforming Lithuania’s energy landscape and could set a precedent for other regions with similar geothermal anomalies.
Lithuania, with its ambitious goal of producing 45% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, is already a leader in biomass and biogas. However, geothermal energy remains largely untapped. The Devonian complex, with its high porosity and permeability, offers a unique opportunity to change that. “The Devonian complex is composed of an unconsolidated sandstone formation with porosity and permeability in the range of 4–31% and 200 mD–6000 mD, respectively,” Memon explains. “These make it a favorable candidate for a low enthalpy geothermal complex because of the high water production rates.”
The study, which utilized mechanistic modeling and uncertainty management, reveals that it is feasible to produce 6 MW to 60 MW of power from existing vertical wells over a 25-year period. This is a game-changer for Lithuania’s energy sector, which currently relies heavily on natural gas and biofuel for heating. The geothermal potential of the Devonian complex could significantly reduce this dependency and provide a more sustainable and secure energy supply.
However, the study also highlights some challenges. Reactive transport modeling showed that mineral dissolution and precipitation near and away from the wellbore, respectively, can impair reservoir quality. This means that the re-injection of produced water must be carefully managed to maintain the reservoir’s productivity. “There is an effect of time on re-injection which should be considered to enhance the reservoir quality for future operations,” Memon notes. “Additionally, no effect of the re-injection temperature of the produced water is observed.”
The findings suggest that the Devonian sites can be further developed for geothermal purposes, with different scenarios showing varying levels of potential power production. This study also highlights the importance of well configuration and design in tackling flow rate and injectivity issues. The reactive transport model provides valuable insights into mineral dissolution and precipitation, which can inform the development of better operating principles and technologies.
This research is more than just a scientific breakthrough; it’s a roadmap for Lithuania’s energy future. It demonstrates the potential of geothermal energy to provide a sustainable, equitable, and secure energy supply. As the world shifts towards renewable energy, Lithuania’s geothermal potential could position it as a leader in the field. The study, published in Energies, a peer-reviewed journal, provides a solid foundation for future developments in geothermal energy in Lithuania and beyond.
