CO2-Plume Geothermal (CPG) Energy Research and Demonstration Consortium
Accelerating the commercial viability and utility-scale adoption of CO₂-based geothermal energy.
Following extensive theoretical research, the next step is demonstrating CPG in the field. For this reason, a CPG Consortium has been formed in March, 2023. Leveraging the synergies of an end-to-end integrated academic and industry consortium, CPG systems can be investigated and efficiently field-demonstrated at reduced individual partner cost.
The objective of the CPG consortium is to demonstrate the potential and technical feasibility of commercial-scale CPG to enable Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) on subsequent commercial scale projects.
In Phase I of the consortium, a CPG field demonstration is prepared to demonstrate the technical feasibility of CPG. We are investigating both the overall CPG potential, using our in-house techno-economic simulator, as well as detailed site evaluation studies for candidate field demonstrations. We also investigate facility and equipment optimization opportunities and CO2 processing requirements. Following this two-year Phase I, the consortium will select the optimal site and field demonstration concept to execute during the subsequent Phase II of the consortium.
Moving from over a decade of numerical research into field demonstration, de-risking pilot wells, and supporting Final Investment Decisions (FIDs).
Harnessing strong natural buoyancy from the density contrast between cold injected and hot produced CO₂, eliminating parasitic pumping power.
Coupling deep reservoirs with surface storage (CPG-F) to absorb excess intermittent wind/solar electricity and deliver on-demand dispatchable power.
End-to-end collaboration combining academic modeling with major operators (Shell, Petrobras, Holcim, Ad Terra) at reduced individual partner cost.
Supercritical CO₂ as a subsurface working fluid for enhanced heat extraction and energy storage.
CO2-Plume Geothermal (CPG) uses the advantages of CO2 as a geothermal working fluid to extract geothermal heat from naturally permeable reservoirs at ~2–5 km depth. Benefiting from increased mass flow due to its lower dynamic viscosity, the utilization of CO2 doubles to triples the geothermal energy extraction compared to brine. As CO2 is reinjected once the heat is extracted, all CO2 is permanently stored subsurface. Thereby, CPG turns CCS into true CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage).
Since its inception in 2010 by Martin Saar and his team, the technology has secured 5 million USD in funding, resulting in patents and over 16 peer-reviewed publications.
Since its inception in 2010 by Martin Saar and his team, the technology has secured 5 million USD in funding, resulting in patents and over 16 peer-reviewed publications.
Leading industrial operators, technology providers, and public energy institutions.
State-of-the-art simulation software for comprehensive thermodynamic and economic modeling of CPG systems.
At the Consortium Research Team, we have been actively engaged in advancing development of our in-house next generation techno-economic simulator for geothermal power systems – TANGO, short for Techno-economic Analysis of Geoenergy Operations.
TANGO has been designed to offer flexibility, allowing for the comprehensive evaluation of CPG as well as traditional water-based geothermal systems at various fidelity levels. Our team is excited to announce that we are harnessing the power of TANGO for portfolio opportunity screening of CPG.
Principal investigators, project managers, and researchers driving CPG science at ETH Zurich.
Consortium Director / Chair of GEG
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Project Manager
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Senior Scientist & Lab Lead
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Numerical Modeler & Research Associate
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Doctoral Researcher
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Doctoral Researcher
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Doctoral Researcher
View ProfileChronological record of consortium announcements, partner milestones, and technical presentations.
Following EGU in Vienna, the CPG consortium presented ongoing research on techno-economics and technology de-risking at the CO2GeoNet Open Forum in Venice.
The CPG Consortium is glad to welcome Holcim as partner, supporting Holcim's science-driven approach to become a net-zero company.
The CPG Consortium is glad to welcome Petrobras as a new member, combining Brazil's CCS pilot momentum with CO2-based geothermal energy extraction.
At the Consortium Research Team, we have been actively engaged in advancing development of our in-house next generation techno-economic simulator for geothermal power systems – TANGO.
We are glad to have started the CPG consortium on March 24th, 2023, together with our industry partners Shell and Ad Terra Energy. In the coming two years, the consortium will prepare for a CPG field demonstration.
Direct contact for industry partnership inquiries and office location.
Geothermal Energy and Geofluids (GEG)
Sonneggstrasse 5, NO Building
CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
