Seismic risk reduction and reservoir efficiency is the major coupled problem for Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) reservoirs. Balancing risk and economic output is a key requirement in all EGS projects. Innovations in geothermal risk governance are urgently needed and possible, based on recent advances in seismic monitoring technologies, modelling capabilities and process understanding. The DEEP project (Innovation for De-Risking Enhanced Geothermal Energy Projects) has a strong focus on optimization of monitoring and risk assessment procedures in order to reduce commercial costs and enhance the safety of future projects. Specific objectives of DEEP are to employ innovative seismic sensors, improve event-cataloguing techniques, and develop data-driven forecasting and risk mitigation tools by applying the so-called Adaptive Traffic Light System (ATLS). In this way we will be able to produce fully probabilistic seismicity forecasts and loss assessment strategies that are continuously updated with real-time data-feeds, providing an integrated and dynamic assessment of the seismic risk to the operators. The development and testing of the ATLS takes advantage of parallel field investigations at the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) in Utah (USA), as well as at EGS sites in Germany and France.
DEEP is subsidised through the Cofund GEOTHERMICA together with the European Commission and by various National Funding Agencies.