Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-wellbore modeling of thermal short-circuiting in enhanced geothermal systems

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Thermal short-circuiting poses a significant threat to the long-term efficiency and economic viability of Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) projects. To understand the mechanisms behind the thermal short-circuiting, this study developed a Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical-Wellbore (THM-W) model. Realistic rock constitutive behaviors, non-linear fracture width evolution and permeability transition are also considered. Simulation results demonstrate how an initially homogeneous reservoir develops preferential flow paths through a powerful self-reinforcing feedback loop.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number140038
JournalEnergy
Volume344
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Pollution
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • General Energy
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-wellbore modeling of thermal short-circuiting in enhanced geothermal systems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this