Our Solutions
Leading Edge Solutions
We will promise you the earth…….or, at least, the warmth from it.
At it’s core, CeraPhi is a technology development company concentrating on the extraction and distribution of geothermal heat. Using our extensive experience in Oil & Gas, we have developed scalable cutting edge solutions which can assist with the decarbonisation of heat in a wide range of premises from domestic homes to large scale public buildings.
Why geothermal?
Geothermal has numerous advantages over other sources of energy: it is not affected by seasonal and climatic variability, it is not dependent upon duration of daylight, it has the highest availability at over 95% (i.e. relatively no intermittence), it has no adverse effects on the environment, it is indigenous and readily available almost anywhere, unlike produced energy that relies on imported fuel. This makes geothermal the most suitable source for base load energy almost anywhere.
The main limitation for geothermal energy is actually the expectations placed upon it by developers. The need to produce sufficient heat to generate electricity places significant design requirements on any geothermal source. The need to drill deep enough, to reach a sufficient temperature places a significant CAPEX burden for projects in areas where the geothermal gradient is low. This is where the CeraPhi approach is different.
By concentrating on the direct use of the heat energy, rather than converting it to electricity, lower temperatures can be utilised to provide baseload heating. This has huge efficiency benefits, as there is no energy lost in by changing state (water/steam, kinetic, electric), it encourages development in areas where geothermal gradient is lower and reduces the need to expand the ‘grid’ infrastructure to cater for additional electricity generation.
To find out more about geothermal energy please click here.
Greenfield and Retrofit Geothermal Solutions
Two of the primary drivers for the delivery of services to our customers are to ensure:
- The solution adds value. Not just financially, but also environmentally.
- The solution is optimised to meet the clients current and future needs.
The CeraPhi phased approach is designed to take an initial enquiry through to a completed heat delivery system.
Each Phase is a stand alone service, but is also designed to work together to provide a ‘one stop shop’ where the client prefers.
Please use the tabs to find out more about each phase.
Based upon some basic initial information, provided by the client, the experts at CeraPhi will compile a high-level assessment to identify the viability of a geothermal solution. This assessment would confirm:
- Is Geothermal suitable for your needs?
- What is the best type of geothermal setup?
- Would a hybrid system work for you (geothermal/solar)?
- What is the estimated scale of the system required?
- What is the estimated cost of the system required?
- The cost of a Phase II – Detailed Study
A Viability Assessment is free of charge and is normally returned within a 4 weeks depending upon the availability of information.
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Having ascertained that a Geothermal system is feasible and potentially viable, the team at CeraPhi will undertakes a detailed study following a structured process to ensure the client’s requirements are fully met.
The process is initiated with a Kick-off Meeting with the client to ensure that both parties fully understand and agree on all required deliverables. The work is then broken down into a number of stages, as shown below.
Stage I – Energy needs & load assessment.
Information considered:
– Peak demand
– Annual consumption
– Required temperatures
– Load profile
– Counterfactual pricing
Stage II -Geological & Geophysical assessment
Information considered:
– Factors related to heat transfer to a closed-loop well.
– The geothermal influence of the geological conditions prevalent in the area e.g. Stratigraphic column and Geothermal gradient
Stage III – Well Design & Hydraulic modelling
This will include:
– Target depth and well bore diameter
– Internal design characteristics of the CeraPhiWell™.
– Modelling of the well hydraulics to ensure the maximum amount of heat energy extracted with the minimum amount of pumping losses.
– The drilling rig requirements
– Potential well drilling sites
Stage IV – Thermodynamic Modelling
The well design will be assessed for heat outputs, and further modelling will examine the interaction between the pumping flow rate and thermal outputs. The overall combination of the well design, pumping rate, and heat production will be optimised.
Stage V – Project Development & Economics
The study would identify the surface equipment and the size of a geothermal solution, including where appropriate the hybrid technologies to minimise or remove all carbon emissions. The overall cost estimate for designing, building, and commissioning the system will be set out, along with a high-level estimate of operational costs, to develop the Levelised Cost of Heat. The study will also outline alternative funding models, present an estimate of the expected payback period and will include an assessment of the anticipated carbon emission savings.
The study length is normally expected to be 8-10 weeks with the Kick-off meeting is normally held prior to the start of the project.
Regular contact will be maintained during the study timeframe via regular, pre-arranged progress review call/meeting between the client and the CeraPhi Energy team.
Once the final report has been issued, CeraPhi will arrange a presentation meeting. In this meeting, CeraPhi will discuss the study’s process, outline the main findings, and discuss the conclusions and proposed next steps.
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CeraPhi recognise that FEED (Front End Engineering Design) Studies are a Critical Planning Tool. Where required, this will be conducted following completion of the Detailed Study.
At this stage, before start of EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction), various analyses take place to ascertain technical issues and estimate rough investment cost.
A “FEED Package” will be created and will form the basis for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract. Although CeraPhi can offer full EPC services, all options will be discussed with the client to decide if the project should go out to competitive tender. This may be as a requirement of the clients procurement processes.
Geothermal infrastructure projects can be complex and highly technical with a wide variety of specifications to be considered. FEED studies ensure that the details of the project are in place before construction.
The primary goals of a FEED study are threefold:
– Produce all technical documents
– Confirm product specifications
– Clarify the scope of the project
This “due diligence” works through the details of the project and helps ensure that the project will produce an operational asset for the organisation.
The FEED Package provides shareholders with crucial budgetary and technical details that are key to the approvals process. It proves to shareholders that their capital outlay will be a wise investment for the future and the project should move forward.
Additionally, a FEED study maps out the details of the project between the client and the details of the project between the client and the EPC contractor.
It gives the client the opportunity to determine which specifications best fit their application and lays a foundation for a positive relationship between the two parties.
Examples contents:
– Process Flow Diagrams
– Well Design
– Drilling Procedures
– Risk Assessments
– Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
– Electrical Diagrams
– Facility Plot Plan
– Design Reports
– Civil and Structural Design and Layout
– Piping/Mechanical Design
– Regulatory Compliance requirements
In addition to the documents listed above, FEED studies provide a refined budget and scope for the project. Operating and maintenance cost estimates may also be included. FEED studies are an essential component of pre-project planning for new asset construction and large retrofit projects.
As these documents come together, design and engineering conflicts will be resolved with the client’s input. Once the designs are finalised, the project can move to the final round of approvals before procurement and construction begin.
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CeraPhi can advise and provide direct access to a number of funding options catering for the CAPEX and OPEX of any given project.
Raising over £2.7m in investment and receiving in excess of £2m in grants in its first 2 years alone and, with the addition of 8 land well sites to its asset portfolio, CeraPhi has a proven track record in securing the funding required.
With its ability to match the right Investor(s) to the project and devise the best value funding package that provides a suitable return, has an acceptable pay back period and meets the operational needs of the client, CeraPhi is able to meet the needs, regardless of scale.
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EPC is a delivery method in which a single EPC company works under a single contract with a client and provides all design and construction services. Although CeraPhi can offer full EPC services, all options will be discussed with the client, following the FEED Study, to decide if the project should go out to competitive tender. This may be as a requirement of the clients procurement processes.
If this route is chosen, CeraPhi will provide full support to the client where required and appropriate.
Engineering
The first step within the EPC phase, engineering is often referred to as the detailed design phase. Building upon the FEED Package, the scope is clearly defined. This includes an agreed schedule and budget and all the CeraPhi Team aim to determine and produce the optimal design for overall project success that also balances budget and efficiency.
Following strict project controls , as part of its ISO certified BMS Ceraphi will cater for all aspects of the detailed design stage such as:
– Equipment selection and quantity
– Tracking quantities
– Change management
– Drawing and document control
– Civil/structural, piping, mechanical, instrumentation/electrical/controls
– Task and process risk assessments
– Regulatory requirement, planning, permits etc.
– Procurement management plan
When selecting a contractor for your EPC capital project, it’s crucial to identify the contractors with a strong understanding of the needs of a geothermal heat system.
Procurement
CeraPhi’s procurement team will be involved from the beginning of the project to develop a detailed and strategic procurement management plan, creating the framework and timeline for all sourcing, purchasing, and inspecting of products, materials, services, and equipment required for construction. This plan for a strategic procurement schedule that ensures on-time deliveries to help maintain construction timelines.
As a leading edge innovation company, CeraPhi will use the latest software tools for procurement, planning and controls.
Construction
This is where the construction team comes together to fulfill the predetermined deadlines and goals outlined in the project scope. CeraPhi recognises that the early incorporation of constructability, within the earlier stages, will be of vital importance, therefore its teams work closely together throughout the whole project lifetime. With strategic planning and cross-department communication, the CeraPhi teams may complete construction of various project components while work packages are still in the engineering and design or fabrication phases of the project.
CeraPhi will follow Best Construction Practices and ensure complete alignment with the needs of the client i.e. where operations need to continue during retrofit.
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All CeraPhi solutions will be have extensive warranties, however these will be reliant upon adequate and timely maintenance and upkeep.
The ongoing operation of any geothermal solution, provided by CeraPhi is dependent upon the nature of delivery of the final project. In some cases the entire heat network owenership could be tranferred to a client or an energy provider. In these cases a detailed O&M program would be provided, by CeraPhi, but the execution of that planould lie with the owenrs.
Where CeraPhi remian as the operators the assets and facilities will be operated and maintained in accordance with the company’s detailed BMS procedures by decicated technicians.
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Specific and Standalone Geothermal Solutions
Cerahi has established itself in the forefront of the provision of geothermal systems.
It is constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be done:
– Asking manufacturers questions about the capabilities of their products that have never been asked before
– Suggesting innovative materials
– Exploring and researching to find new repurposing opportunities
– Cross pollinating skills across industries to improve productivity.
It has developed a number of specific solutions which are used as an initial basis for consideration for differing circumstance. Like so much within CeraPhi, these are constantly being reviewed and updated to reflect new technology and materials
Please use the tabs to find out more about some of these exciting solutions..
The CeraPhiTRU (CeraPhi Thermal Response Unit), is a transportable bespoke designed geothermal testing system that enables accurate assessment of the performance of a CeraPhiWell that has been installed within a well bore.
The pump and pipework has been designed to use multiple working fluids for circulating through geothermal wells and back to the CeraPhiTRU system again at variable pressures and flow rates.
The CeraPhiTRU unit is housed in a standard 20 ft ISO container and contains a variable speed circulation pump and a range of pressure & temperature sensors to monitor a variety of parameters that are displayed on the touch screen control unit. It is designed to be fully transportable and capable of being deployed to other sites and locations.
In addition to the monitoring equipment the unit also acts as a ‘demonstrator’ and ‘simulator’. Fitted with domestic radiators, a heat pump and a water heater it provides an insight into the use of geothermal heat within a domestic setting. In addition to this a ‘chiller’ can also be integrated to simulate the extra loading equivalent to additional domestic dwellings or commercial heat requirements.
Originally designed for use on the KMA Demonstrator it was specifically manufactured to be transportable. as such it can be mobilised anywhere nationally, or internationally to carry out appraisals of locations to determine their geothermal potential for new wells or assess existing oil and gas assets for renewable energy potential
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CeraPhi500 is a unique solution to a global problem. A 500m vertical borehole, containing a patented dual loop closed loop pipe system, circulating a purpose designed geothermal fluid delivers a consistent inexhaustible supply of heat with minimal electrical power consumption.
A single CeraPhi500 can provide 40-50kW of thermal energy. That’s enough to heat 5 -10 domestic homes and reduce the demand on the gas and electricity grid.
Based upon the heat demands multiple CeraPhi500 wells can be drilled and combined to meets the needs of larger premises or developments. The actual number of wells required will be determined as part of a detailed study following an analysis of the energy needs and a site survey.
Installing the CeraPhi500 system requires an area of 20m x 10m, with easy access for a large vehicle. This is roughly the size of a tennis court. This ensures adequate space for the rotary geotechnical drill rig required for the bore hole.
However, once drilled, the footprint is significantly reduced to a small Energy Center (pumping station) which can be as small as a single domestic garage.
All of the pipework from the well and the Energy Centre to the buildings is buried.
Heat pumps, which are roughly the size of a domestic gas boiler, are installed in each property and are used to uplift and control the temperature.
The CeraPhi500 system is guaranteed for 25 years, although it will continue well beyond this time. The Circulating pump will be subject the annual inspection and routine maintenance. Individual heat pumps will need a yearly inspection in the same way as a gas boiler.
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CeraPhiWell is a novel closed-loop monobore geothermal well system in which a specifically selected fluid is circulated down the well through a concentric tubular arrangement that acts as a downhole heat exchanger. The fluid is fully contained within the concentric tubes and does not interact with any below-ground formations or aquifers.
There are no moving parts within the CeraPhiWell, and the materials and operating fluids are selected to minimise any corrosion or degradation in the below-ground equipment, whilst maximising thermal recovery. It is anticipated the operating life of a CeraPhiWell will be at least 50 years and will likely be much longer than that.
The CeraPhiWell™ is installed vertically to the required depth, which is determined by the required heat output and the site’s ground temperature gradient. Once installed and operational, it should not require further interventions and minimal maintenance.
As there is no interconnection with subsurface geological structures, there is no risk of drilling into a non-productive formation, meaning this approach can be delivered almost anywhere. This also eliminates the requirement for any fracturing interventions to be carried out. This greatly de-risks geothermal projects and allows much more certainty for investors and developers.
The key advantages of this system over other geothermal approaches:
– Proven concept
– Closed loop system
– Stable heat output
– No direct CO2 emissions
– Long well life
– Low exploration risk
– No fracking required
– No corrosive fluid handling
– Short installation time
– Very low running costs
– Simple and robust design
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It is recognised that one of the biggest disadvantages of deep geothermal energy, when compared to other forms of heating, is the initial capital expenditure required to drill the boreholes to a depth capable of delivering beneficial temperatures.
A clear method of offsetting this cost is to utilise boreholes that have already been drilled. Thereby reducing costs, decreasing the drilling risks and lowering the potential for seismic activity and contamination.
There are hundreds of existing oil & gas wells in the UK with depths ranging from 80m to 3829m. More importantly these wells have recorded bottom hole temperatures up to 155°C. This clearly shows that these wells have the potential to provide a source of geothermal energy if they could be repurposed. Not all the wells will be suitable as some will already have been decommissioned, some will still be producing hydrocarbons and others will not have sufficient geothermal capacity to be viable.
However, there remains a significant number that may form the basis of a geothermal asset to its owners. Add to this the thousands of suitable wells located around the globe and the potential expands exponentially.
The proven retrofit architecture of the CeraPhiWell has a level of flexibility which uses traditional oil and gas well construction techniques and enables recovery of commercially usable heat energy from the subsurface virtually anywhere around the globe.
The potential for deep geothermal energy to provide consistent, low-cost, secure energy for many decades means it should have a key role in the blended renewable energy mix going forward.
On a commercial basis, it also provides an opportunity for existing well operators to defer decommissioning costs and turn a liability that has ceased production into a revenue generating asset.
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Is not just limited to geothermal. We can provide hybrid solutions using complimentary technologies such as solar, wind and energy storage should these be considered optimal for a particular project.
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CeraPhi has developed its in-house patented platform that facilitates the delivery of Geothermal Energy Projects. CeraPhiPro is an online software data management and information modelling service that enables CeraPhi to provide their clients with a detailed business analysis.
From initial concepts and research to providing customer facing quotes the CeraPhiPro system will provide CeraPhi’s client with a robust and streamlined service. CeraPhi sees this a breakthrough in customer service within the geothermal domain that will form part of the journey to geothermal forming a fundamental part of the UK’s energy mix.
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Sometimes, what you require may not fit neatly into one of the solutions listed. With such a deep knowledge, and wide practical experience, the team at CeraPhi have the expertise to provide assistance on all aspects of the use of geothermal heat.
Therefore we can offer a full consultancy service to help you, and your staff, achieve the desired outcomes.
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The KMA story
Background
The “KM8 Project” was the first successful attempt to produce geothermal energy from a repurposed oil and gas well within the UK.
The KMA site at Kirby Misperton has been active since 1985 following the drilling of the well KM-1 and two years later well KM-3. Initially operated by Taylor Woodrow Energy Limited the site lies approximately 1 kilometre west of the North Yorkshire village of Kirby Misperton.
Well KM-7 was sidetracked from KM-1 in late 2012 and Kirby Misperton-8 was drilled in 2013. The site changed hands several times, over the years until it was finally acquired, and operated by, Third Energy.
KM-8 was originally drilled to use the technology of well stimulation or fracking to increase the potential returns that could be obtained from the well. Fracking has been used in the UK since the sixties but came to prominence with the general public in 2011 when fracking activities in Lancashire caused small scale seismic events. Kirby Misperton was brought to the centre of the UK’s attention following the 2016 decision by North Yorkshire County Council to allow fracking to take place at the KM8 site. Demonstrations began in December 2016 and continued through until early 2018 when the decision was made by Third Energy to suspend all fracking operations.
In 2019 the UK government placed a moratorium on all fracking events in England with immediate effect.
The project
In 2023, CeraPhi partnered with Net Zero Technology Centre, Third Energy, Weatherford and Genius Energy Lab to utilise their asset, knowledge of oil and gas technology and geothermal modelling expertise to establish a demonstration site where equipment could be deployed into an existing, non-producing onshore hydrocarbon well, run various simulations, monitor and analyse the results to validate the modelling.
The two key deliverables from the project were:
- Prove that a prototype design could be deployed and,
- Prove that the output from the system meets the predicted modelled output and is technically and commercially viable.
Following significant local community engagement the CearPhiWell was installed in the well and conencted to the CeraPhiTRU.
Over a number of weeks various simulations were run, the outputs monitored and the results analysed to validate the modelling. Following this period, the site was opened to visitors to demonstrate first-hand the practical results of the project. During that period a variety of visitors attended the site including:
- Members of Parliament,
- Cross-industry stakeholders (Domestic, Education, Agriculture, National Parks, Forestry Commission),
- Academia (Professors and students),
- Representatives from O&G companies and renewable energy companies,
- Local residents and members of the public with a general interest
- Local Government Officers and County Councillors (various counties)
Feasibility Studies
Agricultural Heating and Anaerobic Digestion from Deep Borehole Geothermal Energy
Feasibility studies into repurposing a gas well for anaerobic digestion and agri-tech processes.
16th September 2024
PICKERING GEOTHERMAL COMMUNITY HEATING PROJECT
Feasibility studies into using new wells and repurposing redundant gas wells to provide heat to public and private off-takers in the town of Pickering, North Yorkshire.
23rd October 2024
Case Studies
