GEMex Project
GEMex Project
GEMEx (Cooperation in Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico for development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems and Superhot Geothermal Systems) is a project of international cooperation in the geothermal field between Europe and Mexico, funded by Horizon 2020 EU framework programme for research and innovation.
GEMex project consists of two consortia: the European consortium, formed from the EERA joint programme on geothermal energy, is funded through the International Cooperation Programme within the framework of Horizon 2020, counts 24 partner; the Mexican consortium is leaded by the Michoacán University (UMSNH) and is funded by the Mexican government under a specific fund managed by the Energy Secretary (SENER) and the Conacyt (the Mexico’s National Council for Science and Technology).
GEMex is intended to be the first step in a longer-term cooperation with a focus on testing and further developing methodologies and technologies in the fields of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Super-Hot Geothermal Systems (SGHS), where deep geothermal fluids exceed temperatures of 350°C, cannot be exploited with conventional technologies. GEMex is based on the assumption that the development of hot-EGS and SHGS resources carries an enormous potential to expand the known geothermal resource base and to multiply its energy output. For the study of these unconventional resources two sites were selected: Acoculco and Los Humeros, for hot-EGS and SHGS studies, respectively.
The main objective of the project is the development of cutting-edge research methodologies leading to a solid understanding of the subsurface characteristics for such unconventional and economically interesting conditions, applicable in Europe and other parts of the world.
The specific objectives that the project proposes to achieve are:
- To speed up the geothermal development in Mexico and beyond, by leveraging the knowledge of European and Mexican researchers and industry;
- To reduce pre-drill mining risk by in depth understanding of the geological context of the resource;
- To improve geophysical imaging and detection of deep reservoir structures by novel approaches;
- To improve predictive models for reservoir characterization and simulation;
- To provide conceptual models for sustainable site development.
The project is structured in eight Work Package that will be completed in 36 months (the end of the project is expected in 2019). Within the framework of GEMex, CNR is a partner in the following Work Package: WP 3 - Regional Resource Models, WP 4 - Tectonic control on fluid flow, WP 5 - Detection of deep structures, WP 6 - Reservoir characterization and conceptual models, WP 7 - Concepts for the development and utilization of EGS. CNR is also the leader of the WP 2 - Dissemination (WP leader: Eugenio Trumpy, IGG-CNR) and of the following Tasks: Task 2.1 – Strategic communication plan and communication campaign (Task leader: Adele Manzella, IGG-CNR); Task 2.2 – Website e 2.3 – Open access database (Task leader: Eugenio Trumpy, IGG-CNR); Task 3.3 – Analogue modelling (Task leader: Marco Bonini, IGG-CNR); Task 4.3 – Geochemical characterization and origin of cold and thermal fluids (Task leader: Matteo Lelli, IGG-CNR).
CNR coordination: Giovanni Ruggieri (giovanni.ruggieri(at)igg.cnr(dot)it)
Link to website of project: http://www.gemex-h2020.eu/index.php/en/