Technology:

EGS and Shale Gas Exploitation - The Essential Differences (EGEC)

EGEC, the European Geothermal Energy Council has released a factsheet outlining the difference between the technique used for shale gas exploitation commonly known as ‘fracking’, and the stimulation technique used for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).

This EGEC factsheet (PDF) underlines the different impacts of the two systems on both the underground and surface environment. Whilst the two technologies use underground resources to supply energy, shale gas is an extension of classical hydrocarbon technology whilst geothermal is a renewable energy source. Further, there are differences in the way the systems are operated and the resources required.

Fact Sheet On Enhanced Geothermal Systems: Why It Is Different To Shale Gas (PDF)