Senior Research Fellow
Dr Eylem Kaya
Department of Engineering Science & Biomedical Engineering
e.kaya@auckland.ac.nz
Eylem specialises in geothermal reservoir engineering and geothermal training, focusing on developing advanced numerical models of geothermal systems. Her innovative approaches support sustainable resource utilisation and optimisation of field management, as well as more effective guardianship of environmental and cultural values.
About
Eylem is a Senior Lecturer in the Geothermal Institute and Department of Engineering Science and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Auckland. She has worked in geothermal R&D since 2000 and has extensive research and commercial field experience in geothermal reservoir engineering. She has worked on the reservoir models for numerous geothermal fields for fields worldwide including Türkiye, New Zealand, Indonesia, The Philippines, the USA, and Papua New Guinea. Her research areas include reservoir simulation, well tests, reinjection into geothermal systems, CO2 sequestration, supercritical geothermal reservoirs and reactive transport modelling.
She also provides consulting on reservoir modelling, estimation of resource capacity for power generation and direct-use, interpretation of geothermal well test data, reinjection strategies, and effective integration of reservoir modelling and above-ground processes.
Her recent works on the reinjection of greenhouse gases into geothermal reservoirs aim to help make geothermal energy a more environmentally sustainable resource.
Eylem has been working in FRST and MBIE funded geothermal research projects since 2010, and is currently a member of the science team of the “Geothermal: Next Generation” and Co-PI of the “Reversing Carbon Emissions” projects.
From 2000 to 2006 she worked as a research fellow at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Department at Istanbul Technical University.
She is an elected member of the board of directors of the IGA for 2020-2023 (chair of Membership and Nomination committee) and member of editorial board of Geothermics.
Professional Experience
2023 - Present
Senior Lecturer / Senior Research Fellow
Department of Engineering Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
2017 - 2023
Lecturer
Department of Engineering Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
2013 - 2017
Research Fellow / Lecturer
Department of Engineering Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
2011 - 2013
Geothermal Reservoir Engineer
Uniservices, University of Auckland, New Zealand
2010 - 2011
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Engineering Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
2000 - 2006
Research & Teaching Fellow
Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering Dept., Istanbul Technical University, Turkey
Qualifications
2010
PhD, Engineering Science
University of Auckland, New Zealand
2002
Diploma in Geothermal Energy Technology
Geothermal Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand
2001
PGCert in Geothermal Reservoir Engineering
Geothermal Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand
2001
MSc, Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering
Istanbul Technical University, Turkey
1998
BSc, Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering
Istanbul Technical University, Turkey
Projects
Reversing Carbon Emissions in Geothermal Energy Production
2022 – 2027
Research
2022 - 2027
Reversing Carbon Emissions in the Geothermal Energy Industry: Template for Emission-Intensive Industries
Leading the chemical and numerical modelling, ensuring effective integration of reservoir modelling and above-ground processes. Member of Examine (laboratory-scale), Investigate (field-scale) and Incorporate-Mātauranga Māori research teams.
2019 - 2024
Geothermal: The next generation
Geochemical modelling of fluid-rock interaction in supercritical systems (laboratory-scale and field scale). NCG sequestration potential of common rocks at supercritical conditions. Assessment of Taupo Valcanic Zone for supercritical potential. Temperature-resistant tracer compounds for supercritical system flow modelling through fractures, development, and management
2015 - 2017
Modelling NCG reinjection in Geothermal Reservoirs
Developing numerical models for reinjection of non-condensable gases (NCG) into geothermal reservoirs to understand the flow and reactive and transport mechanisms, evaluate the geological trapping of the NCG and quantify the impact of the NCG on the fluid-rock interaction.
Recent Collaborations
Address
L4, 70 Symonds St, Grafton, Auckland
New Zealand