The potential of high heat generating granites as EGS source to generate power and reduce CO2 emissions, western Arabian shield, Saudi Arabia

Article

Chandrasekharam, D., Lashin, A., Al Arifi, N., Al Bassam, A., El Alfy, M., Ranjith, P. G., Varun, C. and Singh, H. K.. 2015. "The potential of high heat generating granites as EGS source to generate power and reduce CO2 emissions, western Arabian shield, Saudi Arabia." Journal of African Earth Sciences. 112, pp. 213-233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2015.09.021
Article Title

The potential of high heat generating granites as EGS source to generate power and reduce CO2 emissions, western Arabian shield, Saudi Arabia

ERA Journal ID1737
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsChandrasekharam, D. (Author), Lashin, A. (Author), Al Arifi, N. (Author), Al Bassam, A. (Author), El Alfy, M. (Author), Ranjith, P. G. (Author), Varun, C. (Author) and Singh, H. K. (Author)
Journal TitleJournal of African Earth Sciences
Journal Citation112, pp. 213-233
Number of Pages21
Year2015
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN1464-343X
1879-1956
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2015.09.021
Web Address (URL)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1464343X1530073X?via%3Dihub
Abstract

Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil and gas to generate electricity and to desalinate sea water is widely perceived to be economically and politically unsustainable. A recent business as usual simulation concluded that the Kingdom would become an oil importer by 2038. There is an opportunity for the country to over come this problem by using its geothermal energy resources. The heat flow and heat generation values of the granites spread over a cumulative area of 161,467 sq. km and the regional stress regime over the western Saudi Arabian shield strongly suggest that this entire area is potential source of energy to support 1) electricity generation, 2) fresh water generation through desalination and 3) extensive agricultural activity for the next two decades. The country can adopt a policy to harness this vast untapped enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) to mitigate climate and fresh water related issues and increase the quantity of oil for export. The country has inherent expertise to develop this resource.

KeywordsCO2, EGS, radiogenic granites, desalination, agriculture, Arabian shield
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020419999. Other environmental sciences not elsewhere classified
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Byline AffiliationsIndian Institute of Technology, India
King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
Monash University
GeoSyndicate Power, India
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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