The aim of the project is to gain an in-depth understanding and control of the new drilling concept by novel micro-mechanical experiments that are combined with advanced numerical modelling. The combination of experimentation and numerical modelling is also novel from the scientific point of view and opens new possibilities in the field of computational mechanical engineering.
The efficient harvesting of deep geothermal heat has the potential to yield an endless resource of renewable energy. In Scandinavia, however, reaching the required depth of five kilometres for cost-effective geothermal harvesting is a major challenge for present drilling methods and incurs huge costs due to the wear of the drill tools.
The numerical and experimental three-year study of utilising piezoelectric actuation to assist mechanical breakage in rock drilling received €747.000 from AKA.
See further details on the TAU website and on Academy of Finland press release