Developing a web-based spatial decision support system for geothermal exploration at the Olkaria geothermal field

ABSTRACT Geothermal exploration is a complex process that spans a number of disciplines. Before a decision is made to drill a geothermal well, there is need for an extensive exploration process to determine the most suitable location. The process of evaluating and analyzing data from individual scientific disciplines can be complex and tedious. Attempts have been made at solving this problem using GIS-based tools but the uptake of these tools is often hindered by the limited knowledge of GIS by decision makers. This paper presents an approach for solving the geothermal exploration question through a web-based spatial decision support system (SDSS) that incorporates the various geosciences through a multi-criteria spatial decision analysis model. The results reveal a decision-making gap that is to be filled using a novel, automated exploration SDSS. This approach hypothesizes an easier and faster decision-making process. The research focuses on Olkaria, an active geothermal area in Kenya, East Africa and highlights a pragmatic approach to identifying priority areas for drilling. It evaluates contributions made by many disciplines in identifying potential sites ideal for harnessing geothermal energy and the gaps that emerge in an effort to synergize the results from the different disciplines.

[1]  Leakey Ochieng,et al.  OVERVIEW OF GEOTHERMAL SURFACE EXPLORATION METHODS , 2014 .

[2]  Claus Rinner,et al.  Advances in Geographic Information Science , 2015 .

[3]  Mustafa Yalcin,et al.  A GIS-based multi criteria decision analysis approach for exploring geothermal resources: Akarcay basin (Afyonkarahisar) , 2017 .

[4]  Thermal Imaging of Geothermal Features , 2010 .

[5]  Geothermal exploration and development of the Olkaria geothermal field , 2013 .

[6]  A. W. Wanjohi.  Geophysical survey of a high-temperature field, Olkaria , 2014 .

[7]  N. Chen,et al.  Energy in the 21st century , 2001 .

[8]  Toshiaki Tanaka,et al.  GIS integration model for geothermal exploration and well siting , 2008 .

[9]  David James Power,et al.  A brief history of decision support systems , 2003, WWW 2003.

[10]  Zhong-ren Peng,et al.  Internet GIS: Distributed Geographic Information Services for the Internet and Wireless Networks , 2003 .

[11]  Nicholas O. Mariita,et al.  The impact of large-scale renewable energy development on the poor: environmental and socio-economic impact of a geothermal power plant on a poor rural community in Kenya , 2002 .

[12]  Farhad Samadzadegan,et al.  Spatial analysis and multi-criteria decision making for regional-scale geothermal favorability map , 2014 .

[13]  J. Lagat.  Geology and the geothermal systems of the southern segment of the Kenya Rift , 2003 .

[14]  Vijayan Sugumaran,et al.  Web-based Spatial Decision Support Systems (WebSDSS): Evolution, Architecture, Examples and Challenges , 2007, Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[15]  X Liu,et al.  A web-based multicriteria evaluation of spatial trade-offs between environmental and economic implications from hydraulic fracturing in a shale gas region in Ohio , 2016, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

[16]  Behnam Sadeghi,et al.  A futuristic review for evaluation of geothermal potentials using fuzzy logic and binary index overlay in GIS environment , 2015 .

[17]  P. Omenda.  The geochemical evolution of Quaternary volcanism in the south-central portion of the Kenya rift , 1997 .

[18]  M. Hanano.  TWO DIFFERENT ROLES OF FRACTURES IN GEOTHERMAL DEVELOPMENT , 2000 .

[19]  J. Czajkowski.  GEOTHERMAL FAVORABILITY MODEL OF WASHINGTON STATE , 2014 .

[20]  Mark Gahegan,et al.  Geovisualization for knowledge construction and decision support , 2004, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[21]  R. Webster,et al.  Kriging: a method of interpolation for geographical information systems , 1990, Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci..

[22]  Stefán Arnórsson,et al.  Isotopic and chemical techniques in geothermal exploration, development and use : sampling methods, data handling, interpretation , 2000 .

[23]  Ryuichi Itoi,et al.  GIS model for geothermal resource exploration in Akita and Iwate prefectures, northern Japan , 2007, Comput. Geosci..

[24]  Adele Manzella,et al.  Data integration and favourability maps for exploring geothermal systems in Sicily, southern Italy , 2015 .

[25]  W. Cumming.  GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE CONCEPTUAL MODELS USING SURFACE EXPLORATION DATA , 2009 .

[26]  Peter Drucker,et al.  A Brief History of Decision Support Systems , 2006 .

[27]  C. Kreemer,et al.  Regional Prediction of Geothermal Systems in the Great Basin , USA using Weights of Evidence and Logistic Regression in a Geographic Information System ( GIS ) , 2012 .

[28]  C. Lichoro.  Comparison of 1-D, 2-D and 3-D Inversion Approaches of Interpreting Electromagnetic Data of Silali Geothermal Area , 2015 .

[29]  Valentina Ferretti.  A Multicriteria- Spatial Decision Support System (MC-SDSS) development for siting a landfill in the Province of Torino (Italy) , 2011 .

[30]  Robert Gilmore Pontius,et al.  Spatial Decision Support Systems , 2015 .

[31]  P. Omenda.  The geology and structural controls of the Olkaria geothermal system, Kenya , 1998 .

[33]  G. D. Naidu.  Deep Crustal Structure of the Son-Narmada-Tapti Lineament, Central India , 2012 .

[34]  M. Suzen,et al.  GIS based geothermal potential assessment: A case study from Western Anatolia, Turkey , 2010 .

[35]  S. Akar,et al.  Assessment of New Approaches in Geothermal Exploration Decision Making; NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) , 2015 .

[36]  K. Árnason,et al.  3D inversion of magnetotelluric (MT) resistivity data from Krýsuvík high temperature geothermal area in SW Iceland , 2013 .

[37]  G. Randy Keller,et al.  Seismic monitoring of the Olkaria Geothermal area, Kenya Rift valley , 2000 .

[38]  James V. Taranik,et al.  A Geothermal GIS for Nevada: Defining Regional Controls and Favorable Exploration Terrains for Extensional Geothermal Systems , 2002 .

[39]  K. Haynes,et al.  Studies in Applied Geography and Spatial Analysis , 2012 .

[40]  Jacek Malczewski,et al.  On the Use of Weighted Linear Combination Method in GIS: Common and Best Practice Approaches , 2000, Trans. GIS.

[41]  Enrico Barbier,et al.  Geothermal energy technology and current status: an overview , 2002 .

[42]  K. Sasaki,et al.  Developing the geothermal resources map of Iran , 2010 .

[43]  Sarah Kimball.  Favourability map of British Columbia geothermal resources , 2010 .

[44]  M. Mwangi.  ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES OF GEOTHERMAL DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA , 2006 .

[45]  Yaser A. Bishr,et al.  Overcoming the Semantic and Other Barriers to GIS Interoperability , 1998, Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci..

[46]  J. Healy.  Pre-investigation geological appraisal of geothermal fields , 1970 .

[47]  Ryan C. Miller,et al.  A rangeland watershed management spatial decision support system: Design, implementation, and sensitivity analysis , 2004 .

[48]  G. Randy Keller,et al.  An integrated analysis of lithospheric structure across the East African plateau based on gravity anomalies and recent seismic studies , 1997 .