43 1. Overview of the different geothermal systems: role of geophysics Figure 1.12 Drilling pad for a geothermal doublet near Paris (source: CFG). The Bouillante geothermal plant in Guadeloupe is one of the Caribbean’s most significant geothermal power projects, providing renewable energy to the island. Located on the western coast of Basse-Terre, this power plant taps into a hightemperature hydrothermal system associated with volcanic activity. Geothermal fluid is extracted from production wells at depths of 500 to 1000 meters, where temperatures can reach 250 °C. The steam and brine are then used to generate electricity through turbines, producing approximately 15.5 MW of gross power. 1.3 The role of geophysics Geophysics is becoming increasingly important not only in the exploration of geothermal resources but also in their exploitation and monitoring (Paixach, 2024). By measuring variations in the subsurface’s physical properties, geophysical surveys can provide valuable insights into geological features, helping to identify critical characteristics of geothermal systems before the costly process of drilling. Ultimately, geophysical surveys aim to optimize the success of exploration and minimize risks. Generally, no single geophysical method can characterize all the elements of a geothermal play. Each technique has unique strengths and limitations, responding to specific subsurface properties and functioning at different scales, depths, and spatial resolutions. Therefore, selecting the most cost-effective geophysical methods for a given geothermal prospect requires a customized approach, Figure 1.13. Often, this includes conducting onsite feasibility studies to verify that the selected methods are effective in the particular geological conditions.
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