EGU25-12936, updated on 15 Mar 2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-12936
EGU General Assembly 2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Dynamics of Supercritical Geothermal Systems for Next-Generation Energy Solutions
Rotman Criollo1, Víctor Vilarrasa2, and Keita Yoshioka1
Rotman Criollo et al.
  • 1Geoenergy department, Montanuniversität Leoben, Leoben 8700, Austria (rotman.criollo@unileoben.ac.at)
  • 2Global Change Research Group (GCRG), Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA), CSIC-UIB, Miquel Marqués 21, 07190 Esporles, Spain

While geothermal systems already contribute as low-emission energy sources, a drastic increase in its production is required to meet net-zero targets towards mid-century. For further geothermal energy production growth, supercritical geothermal systems are expected to play a major role as high enthalpy under supercritical conditions can scale up energy generation in one order of magnitude. Despite their potential, the development and characteristics of supercritical reservoirs are little understood. This study provides new insights on the three-dimensional evolution of supercritical conditions and their dependence on factors like magmatic intrusion shape and stage through numerical simulations. Simulation results show that during the early phases of intrusion, upward convection leads to the formation of zones surrounding the intrusion, while cooler fluids dominate the upper central areas. Intermittent supercritical reservoirs, characterized by dynamic convective processes, may form near the surface (around 1 km depth) with lifespans of 200 to 300 years. The findings highlight the importance of targeting exploration efforts on areas surrounding magmatic intrusions. These regions are essential for understanding reservoir dynamics, recognizing dominant convection patterns, and locating zones with the highest energy potential.

How to cite: Criollo, R., Vilarrasa, V., and Yoshioka, K.: Dynamics of Supercritical Geothermal Systems for Next-Generation Energy Solutions, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-12936, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-12936, 2025.