Science & Technology: Larderello Project Looks at Drilling in Super-Critical Geothermal Conditions

The hunt for supercritical water heats up (ec.europa.eu)

Breakthrough technologies developed by the EU-funded project DESCRAMBLE could allow Europe to exploit geothermal energy more efficiently and in more locations than is currently possible. The aim is to increase use of this renewable, clean energy source and reduce Europe's dependence on imported fossil fuels.

By the end of the project in May 2018, DESCRAMBLE’s researchers plan to test the experimental technologies at a geothermal well in the Larderello area of Italy’s Tuscany region.

The well was previously drilled to a depth of 2.2 km. DESCRAMBLE will attempt to extend it to between 3 to 3.5 km below the Earth’s surface. The team aims to show that geothermal plants can operate with water extracted at pressure and heat levels never achieved before.

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