HOCLOOP Project

HOCLOOP Pilot Test Update: Thermal Testing Underway🌡️ We're excited to share more about our ongoing full-scale pilot test at NORCE Norwegian Research Centre’s Ullrigg Test Centre!     Following the successful installation of Reelwell AS’s advanced heat extraction technology, with Institute for Energy Technology overseeing the surface equipment, we’ve now entered the thermal testing phase to evaluate our closed-loop system’s performance and durability.   This crucial testing will help us validate our system’s efficiency and readiness for broader deployment, moving closer to sustainable geothermal solutions. Unlike conventional systems, our closed-loop setup can tap into both wet and dry reservoirs, expanding geothermal accessibility across diverse landscapes🌍   Our team is pushing boundaries in geothermal innovation, with a focus on global energy impact—stay tuned for more insights as we advance!   #HOCLOOP #GeothermalEnergy #Sustainability #EnergyInnovation

HOCLOOP Pilot Test Begins 🚀 The full-scale pilot test of the HOCLOOP Project closed-loop geothermal technology is now underway at NORCE Norwegian Research Centre’s Ullrigg Test Centre with partners from Institute for Energy Technology and Reelwell AS. This crucial phase includes rig setup, heat string installation, and thermal response testing, all focused on validating the system’s performance in real-world conditions. It’s a big step toward TRL5 certification, bringing us closer to delivering sustainable energy solutions🌍 We’ll share more details as the test progresses—stay tuned for updates! #HOCLOOP #GeothermalEnergy #Sustainability #EnergyInnovation #CleanEnergy

HOCLOOP Project presented at SU2 Conference 2024✨ Last week, our partner Nitish Anand from VITO presented key advancements from the HOCLOOP project at the 5th SU2 Conference in Varenna, Italy. His presentation highlighted a thermo-hydraulic analysis of concentric pipes in closed-loop geothermal power plants—an essential component of the HOCLOOP Horizon Europe initiative aimed at revolutionizing geothermal energy solutions. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress in advancing sustainable geothermal energy solutions! #HOCLOOP #GeothermalEnergy #Sustainability #EnergyInnovation #SU2

HOCLOOP Project Seminar in Krakow: Exploring Business Scenarios for Geothermal Energy in Poland 🌍 HOCLOOP Project continues to explore the best ways to implement our geothermal technology across Europe! Recently, our partners at AGH University of Krakow, along with the University of Vaasa, hosted the first seminar to discuss business scenarios tailored to Poland’s energy needs. This event is part of Work Package 7, focused on engaging stakeholders and paving the way for sustainable energy solutions. Stay tuned for more updates as we work together to revolutionize geothermal energy across Europe! #HOCLOOP #GeothermalEnergy #Sustainability #Innovation

Our partner Vlasios LEONTIDIS from IFP Energies nouvelles is looking for new talent to join the HOCLOOP Project! Don’t miss the chance to be part of an innovative geothermal energy initiative – check out the job opportunity and apply using the link below 👇🏻

HOCLOOP Project Update: Workshop on Preparation for the Full Pilot Test at NORCE! 🌍 We recently conducted a productive workshop at NORCE Norwegian Research Centre with partners from Institute for Energy Technology and Reelwell AS, finalizing the preparations for the full-pilot test of the HOCLOOP technology. This critical phase will showcase the full-scale capabilities of HOCLOOP’s geothermal solution. Key workshop outcomes included refining risk assessments, mounting strategies, and ensuring all equipment is ready for testing. These steps are vital for validating the system’s mechanical, hydraulic, and thermal performance at TRL5 in real-world conditions. This milestone moves us closer to demonstrating how HOCLOOP Project’s innovative technology can deliver clean, sustainable energy by efficiently harnessing geothermal heat. Exciting progress ahead - stay tuned! For more information about the project visit our website - https://www.hocloop.eu/ #HOCLOOP #GeothermalEnergy #Sustainability #EnergyInnovation

HOCLOOP Project Highligted at ONS 2024! 🌍   We are thrilled to announce that Geotherma, a startup company using innovations enabled by the HOCLOOP Project, has been nominated as a finalist for the prestigious Innovation Award at the ONS 2024 conference in Stavanger! The ONS Innovation Awards aim to promote efforts supporting the energy transition across the entire value chain.   In his presentation, Ola Vestavik, CEO of Geotherma and HOCLOOP project partner, highlighted HOCLOOP’s revolutionary closed-loop geothermal technology and its role in Geotherma’s Heat4Ever solution. This sustainable innovation extracts geothermal energy with minimal CO2 emissions, offering a game-changing approach for district heating and industrial applications.   We look forward to seeing the continued success of HOCLOOP innovations in advancing sustainable energy solutions worldwide!   #HOCLOOP #ONS2024 #GeothermalEnergy #Sustainability #Innovation #EnergyTransition

⚡ Meet the HOCLOOP team ⚡    Embark on our enlightening interview series about #HOCLOOPteam. Today we introduce Domenico Liotta, Associate Professor of Structural Geology at Università degli Studi di Bari.     In HOCLOOP Project University of Bari is responsible for testing if the HOCLOOP concept works everywhere. By using tools like regression and machine learning, UNIBARI will analyze data from pilot sites to figure out how the HOCLOOP solution can be used in different geological environments, like those with varying heat, fractures, or different ground types. It's like making sure our geothermal innovation fits all landscapes!    Here are some of Domenico’s insights about HOCLOOP project:     💡 What about HOCLOOP do you find most interesting?    I'm fascinated by the potential to extract heat without disturbing natural resources, like geothermal fluid flow. The most interesting is that we're exploring ways to do this without any need for induced fractures, making the heat exchange process super-efficient and eco-friendly.    🌐 What are the key sectors to use HOCLOOP’s research results?    HOCLOOP's research offers significant potential, particularly in heating homes using water as the heat transport medium. Additionally, we are exploring industrial applications, focusing on the success of supercritical CO2.     🌍 How will HOCLOOP benefit the general public?    The true potential lies in the replicability of the HOCLOOP solution. If our dual-pipe system successfully adapts to different geological conditions, the market could be global, impacting both homes and industries worldwide. Imagine the ripple effect of this innovation, making a significant impact on global energy solutions.    Join us in exploring the realms of geothermal innovation as we continue this journey with our remarkable #HOCLOOPteam. Stay tuned for more captivating conversations!    For a deeper dive into HOCLOOP's objectives and progress, visit HOCLOOP Project website - https://www.hocloop.eu/.    #HOCLOOPteam #GeothermalEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #HorizonEurope 

⚡ Meet the HOCLOOP team ⚡    Check out the next interview in our #HOCLOOPteam series with Daniele Fiaschi, Associate Professor of Renewable Energy and Energy Systems at Università degli Studi di Firenze (UNIFI).     In the HOCLOOP Project, UNIFI is responsible for experimental lab activities using CO2 and CO2 mixtures as working fluids for the closed-loop system. They are also actively involved in ensuring the economic and environmental sustainability of HOCLOOP solutions, particularly those utilizing CO2-based fluids. Additionally, UNIFI plays a significant role in the modeling and simulation of heat mining with CO2 and CO2 mixtures, as well as in assessing suitable case studies. Here are some insights about HOCLOOP from Daniele Fiaschi:     💡 What about HOCLOOP do you find most interesting? I'm fascinated by HOCLOOP's adaptability to various geothermal sites, especially non-hydrothermal ones. The project's environmental impact is significant, as it prevents pollutant emissions and avoids induced seismicity by using non-fracking technology. HOCLOOP solutions also provide flexibility to produce heat and power in a modular way, tailored to specific local conditions.     The incorporation of CO2 and CO2 smart mixtures as heat-mining fluids makes the technology in Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems more flexible and user-friendly by bringing advantages like CO2's naturally increasing pressure in the system within the closed loop, boosting power production. It also has potential of providing extra power during peak times in CHP systems, especially when there's a lot of non-dispatchable power production, such as solar or wind.    🌐 What are the key sectors to use HOCLOOP’s research results? The outcomes of HOCLOOP will have positive impacts on the overall geothermal energy sector. Exploration of CO2 and CO2 smart mixtures for heat transfer, their natural self-pressurization, and circulation properties, particularly with ionic fluids, will help to produce more power. And this technology should also make energy solutions more flexible and efficient for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) sector and local communities, where people need both heat and power together.    🌍 How will HOCLOOP benefit the general public? HOCLOOP provides an innovative approach to maximizing geothermal energy, a continuous renewable resource, by overcoming the limitations of traditional hydrothermal technologies. Our project aims to make geothermal energy accessible worldwide, even in areas without natural hydrothermal fields, unlocking a global source of clean, continuous energy.    Join us in this journey of innovation as we uncover more insights from our exceptional #HOCLOOPteam. Stay tuned for further conversations with our researchers!    For a deeper dive into HOCLOOP's objectives and progress, visit HOCLOOP Project website - https://www.hocloop.eu/.    #HOCLOOPteam #RenewableEnergy #Innovation #Sustainability #GeothermalEnergy #ResearchMilestones #HorizonEurope 

⚡ Meet the HOCLOOP team ⚡    Embark on the next interview in our #HOCLOOPteam series with Vlasios LEONTIDIS, Research Engineer in Fluid Mechanics at IFP Energies nouvelles.    As the principal engineer from IFPEN, Vlasios participates in several work packages of the project and is responsible for developing models and performing simulations for the heat flow in the closed-loop well. IFPEN also leads the work on integrating existing heat flow models for geothermal wells with advanced pipe flow models, utilizing commercial software or in-house tools to optimize the overall system.     Here are Vlasios’ answers to our questions:     💡 What about HOCLOOP project do you find most interesting? The most captivating aspects include developing methods to model the entire process from the reservoir to the well and surface equipment. We're exploring diverse European geothermal conditions, experimenting with alternative thermal carriers, to enhance heat recovery and maximize energy production. It is also quite intriguing to use Reelwell AS' drilling technology and conduct full-scale operations to test HOCLOOP’s closed-loop solution's functionality.    🌐 What are the key sectors to use HOCLOOP’s research results? Primarily, our research results will find applications in electricity production or co-production with heat. This can be seamlessly integrated with other energy production methods.    🌍 How will HOCLOOP benefit the general public?    By creating a new way to deliver clean energy. This is especially important in areas where traditional geothermal energy methods can't be used due to technical difficulties and site limitations. HOCLOOP optimizes closed-loop solutions, minimizing installation and operational costs for widespread accessibility.    Join us on this voyage of innovation as we unravel more insights from our exceptional #HOCLOOPteam. Stay tuned for further conversations with our researchers!    For more details, visit HOCLOOP Project - https://www.hocloop.eu/.    #HOCLOOPteam #RenewableEnergy #Innovation #Sustainability #GeothermalEnergy #ResearchMilestones #HorizonEurope