Geothermal energy harvesting offers a clean option for energy generation with nearly zero greenhouse gas emission. However, due to the lack of understanding of geothermal resource characterization (geological properties and distributions), optimal well placement and operation for energy generation, and energy return on energy invested, geothermal development has been slow. Recently, geothermal energy extraction is drawing attention for its global potential due to environmental concerns about carbon-intensive energy generation from fossil fuels. Here, we examine a potential case of geothermal energy extraction from a sandstone, moderate temperature, low permeability geothermal resource in Central Alberta, Canada, which has not been simulated before. We construct a detailed earth model of dimensions 1,000 m by 1,000 m horizontally and 2,800 m vertically from the surface to the geothermal reservoir using well log data. Heat losses along the wells are taken into account. From detailed geological modelling and thermal reservoir simulation, we demonstrate that different well configurations affect energy extraction from the geothermal resource. The results show that energy produced to energy invested ratio ranges from 1 to 6 GJ/GJ depending on the well configuration, operating rate, and permeability of the reservoir. The outcomes from the research suggest that geothermal development in Alberta will require careful design and operating strategy to yield useful energy returns.

地热能收集为几乎零温室气体排放的能源生产提供了一种清洁选择。然而，由于对地热资源特征（地质性质和分布）、能源生产的最佳井位和运行以及能源投资的能源回报缺乏了解，地热开发进展缓慢。最近，由于化石燃料产生碳密集型能源的环境问题，地热能开采因其全球潜力而受到关注。在这里，我们研究了一个从加拿大艾伯塔中部砂岩、中等温度、低渗透性地热资源中提取地热能的潜在案例，该案例以前从未进行过模拟。我们构建了一个详细的地球模型，其水平尺寸为 1,000 m x 1,000 m，2, 使用测井数据，从地表到地热储层的垂直距离为 800 m。考虑了沿井的热损失。通过详细的地质建模和热储模拟，我们证明了不同的井配置会影响地热资源的能量提取。结果表明，根据井配置、开工率和储层渗透率，产生的能量与能量投入的比率范围为 1 到 6 GJ/GJ。研究结果表明，艾伯塔省的地热开发需要精心设计和运营策略，才能产生有用的能源回报。我们证明了不同的井配置会影响地热资源的能量提取。结果表明，根据井配置、开工率和储层渗透率，产生的能量与能量投入的比率范围为 1 到 6 GJ/GJ。研究结果表明，艾伯塔省的地热开发需要精心设计和运营策略，才能产生有用的能源回报。我们证明了不同的井配置会影响地热资源的能量提取。结果表明，根据井配置、开工率和储层渗透率，产生的能量与能量投入的比率范围为 1 到 6 GJ/GJ。研究结果表明，艾伯塔省的地热开发需要精心设计和运营策略，才能产生有用的能源回报。