FlexGeo aims to develop innovative geothermal energy system designs for maximized systems performance and flexibility. Pathing the way for the market entry of commercial modular reversible ORC systems will be, together with advanced smart control strategies and operational tools, the backbone of our concept. The proposed key-innovations will make geothermal systems more flexible, more efficient, more economically viable and adaptable for an implementation and market update across Europe and beyond. A modular rev. 200 kWel ORC unit with advanced control strategies and operational tool will be installed and demonstrated at a real district heating system. The first-time demonstration of this innovative technology on a TRL 7 level will directly pave the way to its market entry after the project, since due to the attractive modular approach the demonstrator has already the same capacity as the future commercial product. Furthermore, innovative geothermal system designs considering also high- and low-temperature Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) systems, advanced closed-loop systems (AGS) and enhanced flexibility of district heating and district cooling networks, are paving the way to a broad spread of the FlexGeo solutions across Europe and the world, resulting in largescale CO2 emission reductions. The four general main objectives are:
Increased system flexibility
The future increase of varying renewable sources requires a transformation of geothermal energy from a reliable base-load to a smart and flexible technology.
Quantified target: Increasing the flexibility potential of geothermal power plants from today’s ~ 80 % of their installed capacity from – 100 to + 100.
Improved economic performance
FlexGeo’s solution will significantly improve the achievable income of geothermal projects.by improved system designs, better plant utilization and by providing flexibility services .
Quantified target: Improving the IRR of a geothermal project by more than 60 % and reducing the levelized costs of energy by up to 30 % compared to a standard geothermal system.
Optimal innovative design & operation
Flex Geo develops open-source models of the different innovative system components and an integrative modelling framework. Combined with a detailed energy system model, the system design and operational strategy will be optimized.
Quantified target: Developing a catalogue of at least eight innovative optimal system designs & operational strategies for various settings across Europe.
System replicability & fast market uptake
To have a significant impact on the energy transition, the modular rev. ORC solutions will enter the market shortly after the project and ensure a clear system replicability across Europe.
Quantified target: Developing within the project a TRL9 roadmap for the market entry of the rev. ORC modules shortly after the project ends and the FlexGeo’s optimal system design within the next years.
