1. GEMex: Cooperation in Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico for development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Superhot Geothermal Systems (SHGS)
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No

2. Reservoir Characterization
Overview
GEMex is a complementary effort of a European and Mexican consortium on unconventional geothermal systems
GEMex focusses on
GEMex has selected two sites in the Transmexican Volcanic Belt - Acoculco for EGS development and Los Humeros as a superhot resource.
Resource Assessment
Reservoir Characterization
Concept Development
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

3. Motivation
Europe and Mexico have high potential for geothermal energy generation
Common interesting areas are unconventional geothermal systems: EGS and superhot geothermal fluids
The geothermal field in Los Humeros is already used for power generation, but wells which found superhot conditions cannot be used to date because of the agressive fluid chemistry
Photo: Eugenio Trumpy, CNR
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

4. Context The Strategic Energy Technology Plan – SET-Plan
The SET Plan aims to accelerate the development and deployment of low- carbon technologies.
It promotes research and innovation efforts across Europe by supporting technologies with the greatest impact on the EU's transformation to a low-carbon energy system.
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

5. Context
February 3rd, 2004: Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and the United Mexican States
encourage, develop and facilitate cooperative activities between the European Union and Mexico in the areas of common interest related to research and development in science and technology
November, 2013: 6th Committee Bilateral Steering Mexico-European Union meeting the parties committed to established for joint efforts in concrete actions in the field of geothermal energy for co-financing of research projects
GEMex is a co-funded research project with grants from the EU research program HORIZON2020 and the Mexican CONACyT
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

6. Geothermal sites Los Humeros - SHGS Acoculco - EGS www.gemex-h2020.eu
Figures: Anna Jentsch, GFZ
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

7. Structure www.gemex-h2020.eu
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

8. WP 2- Dissemination
Aim: Promoting project results to reach the expected impact of the project and facilitate internal project communication
1) GEMex website to reach a broad audience of interested people and inform about project objectives, activities and results
2) Open access database to share and publish data obtained during the project
3) Virtual Research Environment (VRE) to share internal information
4) Stakeholder workshops and final conference
5) Editorial materials
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

9. WP 3 – Regional Resource Models
Aim: develop a robust regional understanding of the study area for the assessment of the geothermal system
1) understanding the structure of the volcanic systems that contain the geothermal system by:
- constructing a 3D model of the two sites (Los Humeros and Acoculco)
- creating a conceptual model
2) integrated geothermal model and resource assessment by looking at temperatures and hydrology
3) analogue modeling to understand the relationship between regional tectonic features and the volcanic system
Carrasco et al., Geothermics 67 (2017)
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

10. WP 4 – Tectonic control on fluid flows
Aim: understanding of the relationships among geological structures, physical and chemical properties of high temperature geothermal resources, and their development
investigate exhumed systems and draw conclusions on active systems
Soil gas measurments to find hidden structures
Geochemical characterisation and origin of cold and thermal fluids
Exhumed sytem
Las Minas
Acoculco
Los Humeros
Figure: Anna Jentsch, GFZ
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

11. WP 5 – Detection of deep structures
Aim: further develop geophysical methods for the charaterisation of geothermal reservoirs
1) resistivity imaging of EGS and SHGS
2) seismic imaging
3) Other geophysical data: InSAR, GPS, gravity
4) Integration of methods and inversion constraints
Figure: Maps comparing tomographic VP (left), VP/VS (middle) and resistivity (right) models at 2.3 km at Hengill geothermal volcanic complex (Iceland), modified after Philippe Jousset, Geothermic 40 (2011)
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

12. WP 6 – Reservoir characterization
Aim: characterize the reservoir with respect to rock and fluid properties and their variation with temperature and pressure
1) laboratory measurements of rock samples at ambient and simulated in-situ conditions
2) Creating parameterized static models for different reservoir properties (porosity, permeability, temperature) for Los Humeros and Acoculco
3) Hydraulic stimulation of rock samples and numerical modelling
Left: Hydraulic fracturing experiment set up, Right: Fractured sample showing the area affected by fracture (RWTH Aachen)
Top: RWTH Aachen, Bottom (left and centre): Julinane Kummerow, GFZ, Bottom right: Christopher Rochelle, BGS
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

13. WP 7 – Concepts for utilization and development of EGS
Aim: develop and optimized well and stimulation design for the EGS site in Acoculco
1) Performance simulation
2) Simulation and oioptimization of stimulation designs
3) Develop concepts for real-time monitoring
4) Develop public engagement strategies
Test-well in Acoculco: found high temperatures, but insufficient fluid pathways
Photo: Eugenio Trumpy, CNR
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

14. WP 8 – Concepts for utilization and development of SHGS
Aim: develop and optimized well and stimulation design for the superhot resource in Los Humeros
1) Prediction of reservoir properties
2) Material for superhot resources
3) Concepts for well design
4) Exploitation design
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

15. Partners Europe Mexico www.gemex-h2020.eu
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico

16. Thank you for your attention!
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This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No
The content of this presentation reflects only the authors’ view. The Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
GEMex: Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico