Co-Director
Dr John O'Sullivan
Department of Engineering Science and Biomedical Engineering
jp.osullivan@auckland.ac.nz
John is an expert in geothermal technology and education. He specialises in using geothermal models to support strategic decision-making, developing innovative solutions to real-world problems and knowledge transfer of geothermal modelling technology.
About
John is a Senior Lecturer in the Geothermal Institute and Department of Engineering Science at the University of Auckland. He works with stakeholders throughout the global geothermal industry providing expertise, advice and education. He is committed to the sustainable growth of global access to geothermal resources by helping to deliver successful projects through effective training, new research and by applying best practices in geothermal reservoir engineering and modelling.
John has worked on many geothermal projects around the world ranging from producing systems to green field sites. He leads end-to-end geothermal resource assessment projects managing teams of world class experts to deliver results. His projects include commercial consulting, collaborative research, competent independent reviewing and capacity building. He also leads knowledge transfer programmes and has run geothermal modelling training courses in-person or online in Asia, South America, Africa, Europe and Australia.
Professional Experience
2022 - Present
Co-Director, Geothermal Institute
University of Auckland, New Zealand
2022 - Present
Senior Lecturer
University of Auckland, New Zealand
2011 - 2022
Lecturer
University of Auckland, New Zealand
Qualifications
2008 - 2012
PhD, Engineering Science
University of Auckland, New Zealand
1996 - 1998
MS, Aeronautics and Astronautics
Stanford University, USA
1992 - 1994
BE, Engineering Science (First Class Honours)
University of Auckland, New Zealand
Research
Ongoing
Geothermal Resource Assessment
- A new systematic framework for developing conceptual models, digital conceptual models and reservoir models using geoscientific data and limited downhole data.
- Cloud computing and uncertainty quantification to evaluate systems potential including accurate physics and realistic extraction scenarios.
- Collaborative projects in Indonesia, New Zealand, Philippines, Central America and Kenya.
Ongoing
Geothermal Modelling Technology and Digital Twins
- Developing advanced geothermal simulator technology utilising parallel processing and cloud computing.
- Improving geothermal wellbore modelling and creating efficient coupling with reservoir models.
- Uncertainty quantification and machine learning techniques for improving models, making robust forecasts and dealing with realistic data sets.
- Establish a modelling framework that supports data management, model development and progress towards digital twins.
Ongoing
Modelling Supercritical Geothermal Resources and their Economic Utilization
- Developing robust, efficient supercritical geothermal simulator technology.
- Using supercritical geothermal models to investigate economic utilisation of supercritical resources.
- Quantifying the supercritical resource potential with multi-scale models. Supercritical models of very hot individual geothermal systems (Krafla – Iceland, Menengai – Kenya), multiple geothermal systems (Reykjanes Peninsula – Iceland) and at a regional scale (Taupo Volcanic Zone – New Zealand).
2022 - Present
Extraction of Critical Minerals from Geothermal Systems
- Estimating rare mineral extraction from geothermal brines.
- Controlling production and reinjection rates to optimise extraction rates.
- Collaborative project with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the US Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office.
- Projects assessing mineral resources in Imperial Valley, USA and Italy.
2017 - 2022
Empowering Geothermal Energy; Increased Utilisation of Geothermal Energy Through New Integrated Geoscience
– 2017 to present
- Five-year project funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
- Lead for the theme: Inverse Modelling and Uncertainty Quantification for Geothermal Models.
2013 - 2017
Geothermal Supermodels: Integrated modelling tools for geothermal systems
- Five-year project funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
- Project developed the free, open-source, parallel geothermal simulator Waiwera.
Recent Collaborations
Address
L4, 70 Symonds St, Grafton, Auckland
New Zealand