| Session Details | |
| Section | SE - Solid Earth Sciences |
| Session Title | Geothermal Energy: A potential resource for Asia and the Oceania |
| Main Convener | Dr. Sukanta Roy (National Geophysical Research Institute, India) |
| Co-convener(s) | Dr. Harsh Gupta (National Geophysical Research Institute, India, India) |
| Session Description | With vast oceans and extensive volcanic activities, the region comprising Asia and the Oceania has a very high potential for the development of geothermal energy and other alternative energy resources. Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and New Zealand account for more than 40% of the world geothermal power production. However, only a small part of the potential in other countries of this region has been tapped so far. Significant progress in research and development has been made towards exploitation of the energy from oceans. The session will focus on studies addressing all facets of exploration, assessment and development of geothermal energy, including but not limited to, (1) present status of development of geothermal energy resources, (2) new exploration initiatives in the region, particularly in the small island nations, (3) measurements of heat flow and thermo-physical properties of rock formations in different geological and tectonic provinces, (4) geothermal resource mapping, (5) role of groundwater flow, and water-rock interactions in geothermal energy exploitation, (6) estimation of parameters of geothermal systems, (7) investigations for enhanced geothermal systems including hot fractured rock reservoirs, (8) applications of geothermal energy such as geothermal heat pumps and other direct uses, and (9) case studies on wave and tidal energy and ocean thermal energy conversion. Case studies and new results from regions outside the Asia-Oceania are particularly welcome. |