October 6, 2020

Team Profile:
Peter Rendel
contributor(s)

photo credit:
Peter Rendel

1.    Why are you involved in geothermal / supercritical research?

Promoting the further development of new and existing sustainable energy resources has been a main driving force in focusing my career in geoscience studies and research.

Energy powers our world, we are required to search for innovative, and sustainable solutions and technologies which will enable us to responsibly cope with its increasing demand and reduce its environmental impact on our planet.

Considered as one of the most sustainable energy resources, Geothermal energy is already changing the way power is being supplied in New-Zealand and on many other places around the globe. The enhancement of geothermal energy production is crucial for its future development.

SupercriticalGeothermal resources may be the new solution we are seeking for, and I am excited to take part in projects like GNG, and preformed profound experimental research to unveil many of the unknown geochemical characteristics of the potential supercritical reservoirs.

2.    What is the favourite part of your work?

“An experiment is a question which science poses to Nature, and a measurement is the recording of Nature’s answer.”  Max Planck

As an experimental geochemist, I have the privilege to ask Nature many questions, and measure many of Nature’s answers. Unfortunately asking Nature questions is not always an easy task, especially if you deal with sub-surface geochemistry. To do so, a mix of science, engineering, ingenuity and technology are needed.

As part of my work at the GNG project, I develop and apply new innovative experimental methods and tools to answer some of the many interesting complex questions we are seeking to answer.

3.    What publication/output/research impact are you most proud of?

Rendel, P.M., Gavrieli, I., Nir Ben-Eliahu, Wolff-Boenisch, D., Ganor, J., Gypsum CrystalGrowth Kinetics under Conditions Relevant to CO2 Geological Storage. 2019.International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 91, 102829. doi:10.1016/j.ijggc.2019.102829

What was the research finding?

This paper provides unique experimental results on the formation process of gypsum at high pressure and temperature environments. Gypsum is a calcium-sulphate bearing mineral, which tend to scale from brines, and it considered as major unwanted bi-product in many industrial operations, as during CO2 geological storage, reinjection of brines into wells, in heat exchanger as well as in water desalination plants.

Why is it important?

Experimental results of water-rock interactions at elevated pressures and temperatures is scarce, mainly due to the high technical and chemical complexity involved in experimenting at those extreme conditions, despite its scarcity, scientist and engineers strongly relays on it for their evaluation, hence its of great importance.  

4.    What is your favourite photo of you doing research?

Where are you?

Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station, South Iceland.

What are you doing?

Visiting a geothermal power plant, during a professional stay in the University of Iceland.

Read more about Peter's work experience here.

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categories

Science
Geochemistry
Team

tags

experimental geochemistry
geochemistry
team

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