Automation as a Catalyst for Geothermal Energy Adoption in Qatar: A Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that automation significantly enhances the economic and environmental feasibility of geothermal energy in Qatar by reducing costs, shortening payback periods, and lowering CO2 emissions, thereby supporting energy diversification and decarbonization.

Contribution

It introduces automation as a key factor in improving the techno-economic and environmental aspects of geothermal energy deployment in Qatar, with detailed analysis across multiple pathways.

Findings

Automation reduces capital costs by 12-14%

Levelized Cost of Energy drops from 145 to 125 USD/MWh

CO2 emissions avoided range from 4,000 to 17,600 tons annually

Abstract

Geothermal energy provides continuous low emission potential but is underused in Qatar because of high capital costs, drilling risks, and uncertainty in subsurface conditions. This study examines how automation can improve the techno economic and environmental feasibility of geothermal deployment through three pathways: Enhanced Geothermal Systems in the Dukhan Basin, repurposed oil and gas wells, and ground source heat pumps for district cooling. Using geological datasets and financial modeling, the analysis shows that full automation reduces capital expenditure by 12 to 14 percent and operating expenditure by 14 to 17 percent. The Levelized Cost of Energy decreases from 145 USD per MWh to 125 USD per MWh, and payback periods shorten by up to two years. Environmental results indicate that geothermal substitution can avoid between 4000 and 17600 tons of CO2 per year for each project. Automation also reduces uncertainty in investment outcomes based on Monte Carlo simulations. Overall, the results show that automation strengthens the economic viability of geothermal systems and supports their integration into Qatars long term energy diversification and decarbonization strategies.