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Geothermal Training
More than 2 million students worldwide

Geothermal Training

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Master the full geothermal development cycle, from subsurface exploration and reservoir engineering to power plant design and environmental management. This training gives energy professionals the technical depth and practical tools to advance geothermal projects with confidence. Whether you work in drilling, reservoir engineering, or project development, this course delivers the specialised knowledge the industry demands.

Dedika for businesses

What you will learn:

You will build a foundation in Earth's thermal structure, geothermal resource types, and thermodynamic principles governing geothermal systems. Then develop skills in geophysical exploration, reservoir characterisation, and well drilling and completion. You will learn to design and evaluate flash, binary and dry steam power plants, and direct-use and low-temperature applications. The course also covers reservoir simulation, production decline analysis, reinjection strategy, and long-term field development planning. Environmental management, health and safety, project economics, regulatory permitting, and community engagement are integrated throughout. You will also explore enhanced geothermal systems, advanced drilling technologies, and digital tools for reservoir management.

How you study in practice Geothermal Training

How you practise Geothermal Training

For companies looking to train their teams

With Dedika for businesses, the course includes exercises and examples tailored to your company and its specific needs.

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Course content

8 Chapters • 39 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)

Chapter 1See details

Foundations of Geothermal Energy

  • Lesson 1 • Thermodynamic Principles for Geothermal Systems

    Introduces enthalpy, entropy, and phase behaviour of water-steam mixtures. Provides the thermodynamic vocabulary needed for reservoir and plant analysis.

  • Lesson 2 • Global Distribution of Geothermal Zones

    Maps tectonic settings—rift zones, subduction belts, hot spots—to resource occurrence. Connects plate tectonics to prospective exploration targets worldwide.

  • Lesson 3 • Types of Geothermal Resources

    Distinguishes hydrothermal, geopressured, hot dry rock, and magmatic systems. Enables resource identification as a prerequisite for exploration and development planning.

  • Lesson 4 • Earth's Internal Heat Structure

    Covers Earth's layered thermal architecture and heat flow from core to crust. Establishes the physical basis for all geothermal resource formation discussed later.

Chapter 2See details

Geothermal Geology and Reservoir Characterisation

  • Lesson 1 • Structural Geology of Geothermal Fields

    Examines faults, fractures, and volcanic stratigraphy as fluid pathways and barriers. Directly supports reservoir boundary mapping and well targeting.

  • Lesson 2 • Conceptual Reservoir Model Development

    Integrates geology, geochemistry, and geophysics into a unified conceptual model. This model is the foundation for resource estimation and development planning.

  • Lesson 3 • Hydrothermal Alteration Mineralogy

    Identifies alteration mineral assemblages as proxies for paleotemperature and fluid chemistry. Guides drilling decisions and reservoir temperature estimation.

  • Lesson 4 • Reservoir Geometry and Permeability Assessment

    Combines geological mapping, well data, and tracer tests to define reservoir volume and flow paths. Outputs feed directly into numerical reservoir models.

  • Lesson 5 • Geothermal Fluid Chemistry

    Analyses major ions, gases, and isotopes in geothermal fluids to infer reservoir conditions. Fluid chemistry data inform scaling, corrosion, and reinjection strategies.

Chapter 3See details

Geophysical Exploration Methods

  • Lesson 1 • Integrated Exploration Survey Design

    Sequences and combines multiple geophysical methods into a phased exploration programme. Optimises cost and risk reduction before committing to exploratory drilling.

  • Lesson 2 • Gravity and Magnetic Surveys

    Uses density and magnetic susceptibility contrasts to map subsurface structures and intrusive bodies. Complements resistivity data for structural interpretation.

  • Lesson 3 • Remote Sensing and Surface Manifestations

    Interprets thermal infrared imagery, fumaroles, hot springs, and altered ground to identify surface expressions of geothermal activity. Rapid and cost-effective early-stage screening tool.

  • Lesson 4 • Resistivity and Electromagnetic Surveys

    Covers magnetotelluric, transient electromagnetic, and DC resistivity methods for mapping clay-cap and reservoir zones. These are the primary geophysical tools in geothermal exploration.

  • Lesson 5 • Seismic Methods in Geothermal Exploration

    Applies passive microseismic monitoring and active seismic reflection to image faults and reservoir boundaries. Seismic data reduce drilling risk significantly.

Chapter 4See details

Geothermal Well Drilling and Completion

  • Lesson 1 • Drilling Equipment and Bit Selection

    Evaluates rotary rigs, top drives, and drill bit types suited to hard volcanic and crystalline formations. Equipment selection governs penetration rate and cost per metre.

  • Lesson 2 • Well Testing and Productivity Assessment

    Applies discharge testing, pressure transient analysis, and enthalpy measurement to quantify well output. Results feed reservoir models and power plant sizing decisions.

  • Lesson 3 • Geothermal Well Design Principles

    Covers casing programmes, wellbore trajectory, and diameter selection for high-temperature, high-pressure conditions. Well design directly controls productivity and longevity.

  • Lesson 4 • Well Cementing and Casing Installation

    Details cement slurry design, placement techniques, and quality verification for geothermal temperature extremes. Proper cementing ensures zonal isolation and structural integrity.

  • Lesson 5 • Drilling Fluids and Mud Engineering

    Addresses fluid selection, lost circulation management, and cooling requirements unique to geothermal drilling. Proper fluid management prevents formation damage and wellbore instability.

Chapter 5See details

Reservoir Engineering and Management

  • Lesson 1 • Resource Assessment and Reserve Estimation

    Applies volumetric, Monte Carlo, and stored-heat methods to estimate recoverable energy. Probabilistic estimates support investment decisions and project financing.

  • Lesson 2 • Field Development Planning

    Integrates reservoir, drilling, and surface facility data into a phased development plan. Balances resource sustainability with power output targets over the project lifetime.

  • Lesson 3 • Reinjection Strategy and Design

    Designs reinjection programmes to maintain reservoir pressure, manage waste fluid, and minimise thermal breakthrough. Reinjection is critical for sustainable field operation.

  • Lesson 4 • Production Decline Analysis

    Identifies pressure decline, enthalpy changes, and non-condensable gas trends as reservoir depletion indicators. Early detection enables timely mitigation through makeup wells or reinjection.

  • Lesson 5 • Geothermal Reservoir Simulation

    Builds and calibrates numerical models using TOUGH2-family or equivalent simulators. Simulation outputs guide well placement, production scheduling, and reinjection design.

Chapter 6See details

Geothermal Power Plant Technologies

  • Lesson 1 • Hybrid and Combined Heat and Power Systems

    Integrates geothermal with solar, biomass, or waste heat to improve capacity factor and efficiency. Combined heat and power cascading maximises total energy recovery.

  • Lesson 2 • Dry Steam Power Plant Systems

    Analyses direct-use steam plants where reservoir steam drives turbines without separation. Applicable to high-quality vapour-dominated resources with minimal liquid fraction.

  • Lesson 3 • Plant Performance Monitoring and Optimisation

    Uses key performance indicators, thermodynamic benchmarking, and predictive maintenance to sustain plant output. Continuous optimisation reduces levelised cost of energy over plant life.

  • Lesson 4 • Single and Double Flash Plant Design

    Covers flash separation, steam-water cyclone separators, and multi-stage flashing to maximise power output. Flash plants are the most widely deployed geothermal conversion technology.

  • Lesson 5 • Binary Cycle and ORC Systems

    Applies organic Rankine cycle principles to low-to-medium enthalpy resources using secondary working fluids. Enables power generation from resources unsuitable for flash technology.

Chapter 7See details

Direct Use and Low-Temperature Applications

  • Lesson 1 • Cascade Energy Utilisation

    Sequences multiple end uses in decreasing temperature order to maximise total energy extraction. Cascade design is the best practice for optimising direct-use resource efficiency.

  • Lesson 2 • Ground Source Heat Pump Systems

    Designs closed-loop and open-loop ground source heat pump systems for space conditioning. Extends geothermal benefits to areas lacking high-temperature hydrothermal resources.

  • Lesson 3 • Industrial Process Heat Applications

    Matches geothermal fluid temperatures to drying, pasteurisation, and chemical process requirements. Industrial use diversifies revenue and improves overall resource utilisation.

  • Lesson 4 • Greenhouse and Agricultural Applications

    Applies low-temperature geothermal heat to greenhouse cultivation, soil warming, and aquaculture. Reduces fossil fuel dependency in food production systems.

  • Lesson 5 • District Heating System Design

    Covers pipeline networks, heat exchangers, and peak load management for geothermal district heating. District heating is the largest direct-use application by installed capacity.

Chapter 8See details

Environmental Management and Sustainability

  • Lesson 1 • Long-Term Sustainability and Carbon Accounting

    Measures lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land productivity to verify geothermal's sustainability credentials. Carbon accounting supports green financing and reporting obligations.

  • Lesson 2 • Fluid and Gas Emissions Management

    Quantifies and controls hydrogen sulphide, CO2, and brine discharge to protect air and water quality. Emissions management ensures regulatory compliance and community health protection.

  • Lesson 3 • Environmental Impact Assessment for Geothermal Projects

    Structures baseline surveys, impact prediction, and mitigation planning for geothermal development. Regulatory approval depends on a credible and comprehensive assessment process.

  • Lesson 4 • Induced Seismicity Management

    Identifies triggers, monitors microseismic activity, and applies traffic light protocols to control induced seismicity. Seismicity management is critical for public acceptance and safety.

  • Lesson 5 • Land Use and Ecosystem Protection

    Minimises surface footprint, protects biodiversity, and manages visual and noise impacts during development. Responsible land use maintains social license to operate.

Certification

Your valid completion certificate

This course is for you:

  • Geologist: wants to specialize in subsurface geothermal resource evaluation and field work.

  • Petroleum engineer: looking to transition technical drilling skills into the geothermal sector.

  • Environmental consultant: needs to assess and manage geothermal project impacts professionally.

  • Energy project developer: seeking to evaluate and finance geothermal assets with confidence.

  • Mechanical engineer: aiming to design and optimize geothermal power conversion systems.

  • Renewable energy student: building a career foundation in geothermal science and engineering.

What our students say

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