World-first simulator gives geothermal industry smarter, safer insights
GNS Science is building a smart simulator to tackle the toughest geothermal challenges.
GNS Science has created a world-first tool that provides the data and insights the geothermal industry needs to plan with confidence and move faster.
World-first simulator developed in Taupō
Developed at GNS Science’s experimental geochemistry laboratory in Taupō in collaboration with French R&D company Vinci Technologies, the new “geothermal process simulator” precisely replicates geothermal conditions in unprecedented detail.
The innovation is built from decades of hands-on experimentation and in-house method development by GNS Science’s expert team, who bring more than 70 years of collective experience and 15+ years of credibility in experimental geochemistry. Now, the new tool gives the industry a more powerful way to test out hypothetical scenarios and allow them to more deeply understand the conditions specific to their site.
Powerful alternative to in-field testing
Critically, the service offers a powerful alternative to in-field testing, removing many of the costs and safety risks associated with early development and optimising existing power stations.
“Geothermal developers face big, high-stakes decisions,” says Bruce Mountain, lead scientist of GNS Science’s Experimental Geochemistry Laboratory. “That’s why we work closely with clients to develop methods and solutions that are bespoke to them. Our goal is to support the industry to move faster, and make safer, more informed decisions."
The simulator is also uniquely suited to simulating extreme, high-pressure, high-temperature environments, which will play a vital role in developing the technologies required to access supercritical geothermal energy.
By delivering the cost-effective and detailed insights the industry needs, the simulator further strengthens New Zealand’s leadership in geothermal, unlocking new opportunities for growth locally and around the world.