Geothermal Energy – A Rising Powerhouse? A Global Technical Review and Applications for Saudi Arabia

  • Focus Area -
  • Type Discussion paper
  • Date 14 October 2024
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Abstract

The Earth’s core, which is as hot as the sun, contains a large amount of thermal energy insulated by impermeable rocks. This energy, totaling 15 million zetta joules, dwarfs traditional energy sources such as coal and gas. However, only a fraction of this energy has been utilized, with global geothermal operations contributing just 16 gigawatts (GW), or less than 0.5%, of renewable energy in 2021. Barriers such as high upfront costs, long revenue gestation periods, technical limitations, and social/administrative constraints impede its widespread adoption.

Authors

Majed A. Al Suwailem

Majed A. Al Suwailem

Senior Fellow- Oil & Gas Majed is a senior fellow at KAPSARC with a focus on energy security, geopolitics, and hydrocarbon laws and regulations. He…

Majed is a senior fellow at KAPSARC with a focus on energy security, geopolitics, and hydrocarbon laws and regulations. He has more than 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry in the fields of simulation and modeling, asset management, reserves estimation, oil field development, disruptive technologies, and business planning, gained at Chevron and Saudi Aramco.

Majed holds a B.S. degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa in the United States, along with two M.S. degrees in petroleum engineering, and reservoir geosciences and engineering, respectively, from Texas A&M University and the Institut Francais du Petrole (IFP School). In 2021, Majed earned his Master of Science degree in public economics and policy from Purdue University.

Expertise

  • Energy Security
  • Geopolitics
  • Hydrocarbon Laws and Regulations

Publications See all Majed A. Al Suwailem’s publications

Bez Hoxha

Bez Hoxha

Colin Ward

Colin Ward

Principal Fellow- Oil & Gas Mr. Ward has worked in all aspects of the energy industry from summer jobs on seismic rigs, to designing refineries,…

Mr. Ward has worked in all aspects of the energy industry from summer jobs on seismic rigs, to designing refineries, upstream field development, consulting and strategy work, and now high-impact academic analysis of issues facing the energy system.

Much of Mr. Ward’s work in recent years has focused on CCUS-related topics including upstream carbon intensity, CO2-EOR, blue hydrogen, hydrocarbon producer strategy in a carbon-constrained world, and blockchain-based carbon tracking and trading.

Expertise

  • Oil Markets
  • Upstream
  • Carbon
  • CCUS
  • Hydrogen
  • Technology
  • Strategy and Consulting

Publications See all Colin Ward’s publications

Abdulrahman Alwosheel

Abdulrahman Alwosheel

Lead- Transportation & Infrastructure Abdulrahman is a Lead Transportation & Infrastructure expert at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC). Before joining KAPSARC,…

Abdulrahman is a Lead Transportation & Infrastructure expert at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC). Before joining KAPSARC, Abdulrahman was a Lecturer at the College of Engineering at Muhammed Ibn Saud University. He also worked as a Traffic Engineer at the Riyadh Metro project. His interests are in transport demand modeling, aviation transport, life cycle analysis, alternative fuels, and energy demand. Abdulrahman holds a master’s degree in Transportation Planning and Engineering and a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering.

Expertise

  • Transport Demand Modeling
  • Aviation Transport
  • Life Cycle Analysis
  • Alternative Fuels and Energy Demand

Publications See all Abdulrahman Alwosheel’s publications

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