In January EAPS will offer a special for-credit IAP class taught by ERL/EAPS Sr. Research Scientist Ben Holzman with E.J.M. Willemse and R.C.M.W. Franssen: 12.S590: Special Seminar in Geophysics – Geosciences and the Energy Transition Challenge

The ‘Geosciences and the Energy Transition Challenge‘ course provides the participants with a broad understanding of technical, economic, and societal issues relevant to energy resource developments such as carbon storage (CCS), shallow and very deep geothermal, and hydrocarbon extraction, in the context of designing a range of various production/use scenarios ranging from carbon-free, -neutral and -negative. Emphasis is on practical work and involves the assessment of a single site in a densely populated area in NW Europe as a case study for the development and planning of a geothermal project (shallow for district heating, or deep for large scale power generation, as end-member cases), a carbon sequestration store, or a hydrocarbon field. The participants analyze hands-on technical and basic economic evaluations, risks and uncertainties, scenario analysis, dilemmas and stakeholder expectations, as well as wider socio-economic challenges related to developing an industrial scale subsurface energy resource. These case study projects are placed in the context of the Paris Climate goals to get an appreciation of the scope of the challenges that lie ahead.

This week-long course is set up for teamwork and is designed using a problem-based learning approach. The participants will interpret some basic technical data, create production- and cashflow profiles, take on technical and non-technical challenges, and think about the feasibility and risks of subsurface energy projects. Four lecture sessions (3 hour each) will cover the basics of subsurface resource development, practical team-work modules (4 afternoons), and class discussions of interim results. No prior subsurface experience is required. The fifth day is reserved for group presentations and discussion.

Instructor: R.C.M.W. Franssen, E.J.M. Willemse & Ben Holtzman (MIT)
Schedule: January 13-17, 2025; 9:00am-12:00pm
Level: G (Undergraduates welcome!)
Units: Units arranged

Cover image: CC0