Assessment of Geological CO Storage and Geothermal Resources in the Appalachian Basin and Globally
PI: John Wang (Energy and Mineral Engineering)
Team Members
Ozgur Yildirim, Penn State/College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
ICDS Hub/Area(s)
Computational Sciences, Data Science
Level of Effort for ICDS Junior Researcher
2 semesters at 25% RA (10 hrs/week research, 8 hrs/week ICDS service/collaboration, 2 hrs/week ICDS engagement)
Tuition Funding Plan
Tuition will be supported through department RA funds or grants.
Project Description
This interdisciplinary research project aims to assess the viability and sustainability of geological CO2 storage and geothermal energy resources in the Appalachian Basin and globally, with a strong focus on applying data science methods to climate and energy challenges. The project targets formations such as the Marcellus Shale and Oriskany Sandstone, which have significant but underutilized potential for both geological CO2 storage and geothermal energy. While numerous studies, including those by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Geological Survey, have assessed CO2 storage in the basin, these efforts remain largely theoretical or confined to small-scale experiments. Similarly, geothermal resources in the region have gained recent attention but lack integrated assessments. This project addresses these gaps by combining subsurface geological, petrophysical, and thermal datasets with advanced computational methods to provide a comprehensive evaluation of resource viability.
The research leverages data-driven modeling approaches to construct regional 3D models of subsurface formations. Using geostatistical interpolation and Monte Carlo simulations, the project will quantify key parameters such as thickness, porosity, permeability, geomechanical properties, temperature gradients, and CO2 injectivity, along with associated uncertainties. The integration of diverse datasets into a unified computational framework will support robust evaluations of CO₂ storage resources and geothermal energy potential.
The data science components of this work include Monte Carlo uncertainty quantification implemented in R and Python; machine learning techniques for classifying geological facies; GISbased methods for geospatial data integration and visualization; and statistical modeling to analyze subsurface properties and thermal regimes. In addition, the project will develop scalable and reproducible workflows using open-source tools to support future research and broader application.
Expected outcomes include high-resolution maps of geothermal and storage potential, probabilistic resource estimates, and practical guidance for large-scale deployment. The project contributes to climate mitigation and sustainable energy planning, while supporting peer-reviewed publications and proposals for external funding. By applying modern data science techniques to critical energy transition challenges, this work directly supports the ICDS mission of advancing interdisciplinary, computationally driven research.
Desired Expertise in ICDS Junior Researcher
Experience in R or Python for Monte Carlo simulation and statistical modeling; GIS or geospatial data processing (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS, Python geospatial libraries); familiarity with reservoir modeling and numerical simulations; skills in machine learning applications for geoscience data; interest in climate/energy systems and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Expectations for ICDS Junior Researcher
Post-comps graduate student preferred; weekly availability for project and team meetings; strong communication and collaborative skills; commitment to interdisciplinary research and engagement in ICDS events.
Project Objectives
Refine regional 3D model of CO2 storage and geothermal systems; quantify uncertainty in resource potential through Monte Carlo simulations; produce visualizations of geothermal gradients and CO2 injectivity; co-author a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal; assist in preparation of a federal research proposal.
Medium to Long-Term Goal
Submit a proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy or National Science Foundation on integrated CO2 storage and geothermal resource systems.
Connection to ICDS Mission
This project advances the ICDS mission by applying computational and data science tools to develop sustainable energy solutions and climate mitigation strategies through interdisciplinary collaboration between geoscience, engineering, and computing.
Team Engagement with ICDS
This proposal reflects a strong intent to engage actively with the ICDS community. Through this project, the team aims to increase involvement by mentoring an ICDS Junior Researcher, contributing to interdisciplinary collaborations, and participating in ICDS-supported workshops, seminars, and research activities.