The world's energy sector is dominated by fossil fuels. To fight climate change, we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and move from fossil fuels to renewable and sustainable energy and reduce emissions from industry. This is one of today's largest global challenges. We believe that deep geothermal energy, and the capture and storage of CO2 is part of the solution to this problem.

Utilization of deep geothermal energy

Deep geothermal energy is a renewable energy source with great potential. NORSAR's research activities within sustainable energy research therefore includes geothermal energy technology. We will contribute to efficient and safe utilization of deep geothermal energy and are developing seismic control systems for the safe construction and operation of geothermal plants. Hydraulic fractures and pressure or temperature changes in operational energy reservoirs create small earthquakes. Such earthquakes can threaten the integrity of geothermal wells and create public concern. We build knowledge to make deep geothermal energy safe and contributes to profitability. NORSAR participates in several deep geothermal energy research projects.

Storage of CO2

Safe geological storage of CO2 is an essential measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. NORSAR develops efficient and safe methods for CO2 storage using microseismic technology and geological monitoring. We have unique experience with microseismic monitoring of large scale CO2 storage projects, especially under challenging conditions. We are involved in projects ranging from the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands to In Salah in Algeria. The microseismic monitoring methods that we have developed for CO2 storage and geothermal plants can also be used to monitor mines, nuclear storage facilities and dams.