Academics from Aberystwyth University are working on a project to support Ukraine’s energy rebuilding with a planned geothermal plant in Solotvyno, near the Romania border.
The consortium from the UK, Ukraine and Poland aims to cut the usual 7 to 8-year exploration phase by at least two years using mathematical models of rock properties at a microscopic level, 3D forecasting and algorithms to predict reservoir behaviour for up to 30 years.
Partners include south Wales-based Rockfield Software Ltd, Ukrainian gas producer JSC “Ukrgasvydobuvannya”, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Poland’s Oil and Gas Institute, and Solotvyno Local Council. The project, “Geothermal Ukraine – Making a Difference in Technology for Rapid Deployment”, is supported by Innovate Ukraine and UK International Development.
Professor Gennady Mishuris from Aberystwyth University, who recently held a workshop between the project partners in Wales, said: “Our aim is to revolutionise how geothermal energy is explored and deployed, specifically focusing on the rapid recovery and modernisation of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with enhanced geothermal systems.”
He added: “The project is more than a technical endeavour: it is a commitment to sustainability, social inclusion, and international solidarity. Aberystwyth University is proud to be at the helm, proving that through collaborative innovation, we can turn geological uncertainty into a stable, green, and prosperous future.”
Dr Martin Dutko from Rockfield Software said: “We’re delighted to take part in this challenging and exciting project. There was a limited amount of data available at the start and the geology is so complex. So, this is a difficult task to solve – we’re really pleased that with the help of our Ukrainian and Polish partners that made a great job in providing us with updated data allowing us to apply our sophisticated software to build the complete thermo-mechanical model”
