UND engineering students tap into western North Dakota’s geothermal potential

GRAND FORKS – A staff of UND engineering college students is conducting analysis into the potential of harnessing geothermal vitality from current oil and gasoline wells in western North Dakota.

The staff, led by UND professor of geology and geological engineering Will Gosnold, consists of graduate and doctoral college students who’ve competed in a number of nationwide competitions sponsored by the U.S. Division of Power. Their most up-to-date success was a first-place end on the Division of Power’s spring 2021 geothermal collegiate competitors, for his or her proposal on heating houses with vitality obtained from wells.

Gosnold praised his college students’ achievements.

“They’re nice at pulling their staff collectively, and deciding on the individuals they should cope with the entire points raised at these competitions,” mentioned Gosnold. “I’m actually pleased with them.”

The profitable proposal on the 2021 geothermal collegiate competitors, examines the feasibility of using geothermal vitality to warmth houses in Mandaree, N.D. The heating course of entails siphoning sizzling water from underground aquifers by way of wells, and transferring it into space houses by way of pipeline for heating. The water is then pumped again into the aquifer to forestall depletion.

Based on Gosnold, the situation of the analysis throughout the Inyan Kara formation, offers favorable geologic situations for the scholars’ challenge.

“The wells inside Inyan Kara are shallower and produce a whole lot of water,” mentioned Gosnold. “The water temperature there frequently exceeds the 70 levels Celsius (158 levels Fahrenheit) crucial for district heating.”

Gosnold additionally mentioned geothermal’s purposes lengthen past producing vitality for space houses.

“We are able to take the water and run it by way of grain drying operations, greenhouse techniques and finally by way of business fish farms,” mentioned Gosnold. “All of this might be straightforward to do in North Dakota.”

The scholars then took their analysis to close by New City, N.D., for a neighborhood stakeholder occasion on Nov. 4, to debate a possible district heating system and geothermal powered greenhouse for the neighborhood.

Gosnold mentioned the occasion was informative, and effectively acquired by the neighborhood.

“The scholars had each a morning and afternoon session, and there have been 70 to 80 attendees at each,” mentioned Gosnold. “There have been representatives from the Division of Power, together with tribal representatives and leaders. The scholars advised me that residents and college at the local people school are involved in transferring ahead with the event. The individuals of New City now have a blueprint for proceed.”

Gosnold mentioned if New City decides to maneuver ahead with the geothermal heating challenge, ultimate steps will embody deciding on drilling depths and places, and hiring contractors to design the pipeline community that will carry the recent water the place it’s wanted.

“If New City decides that they wish to pursue district heating, that is one thing that will contain engineering corporations designing pipework to get the water into distribution techniques,” mentioned Gosnold.