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NREL - National Renewable Energy Laboratory
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Ariel Esposito

Ariel Esposito is a member of the Technology Systems and Sustainability Analysis Group in the Strategic Energy Analysis Center.

Geothermal Energy Analyst
On staff since October 2010
Phone number: 303-275-4694
E-mail: ariel.esposito@nrel.gov

Areas of expertise

  • Reservoir engineering and reservoir simulation
  • Geothermal, oil and gas, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) reservoir analysis
  • Technology analysis, energy policy, and energy systems optimization

Primary research interests

  • Alternative geothermal resources including geopressure and secondary sedimentary basins
  • Geothermal reservoir engineering to determine recoverable resource and estimate costs
  • Geothermal technology analysis and comparison with other renewable energy sources

Education and background training

  • M.S. in energy resources engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 2010
  • B.S. in environmental engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 2008

Prior work experience

  • Research Assistant CCS, Stanford University, Stanford, CA (2008-2010)
  • Environmental Intern CCS, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA (2009)
  • Energy Analyst, Summerhill Biomass Systems, Manlius, NY (2008)
  • Research Assistant CCS, MIT Lab for Energy and Environment, Cambridge, MA (2007)
  • Stream Flow Analyst, CU Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research, Boulder, CO (2005, 2006)

Other affiliations

  • American Association of Petroleum Geologists
  • Society of Petroleum Engineers

Selected publications

Esposito, A.; Benson, S.M. (2012). "Evaluation and Development of Options for Remediation of CO2 Leakage into Groundwater Aquifers from Geologic Carbon Storage." International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. Vol. 7. 62-73

Esposito, A.; Augustine, C. (2012). "The Influence of Reservoir Heterogeneity on Geothermal Fluid and Methane Recovery from a Geopressured Geothermal Reservoir." Proceedings, Thirty-Seventh Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA Jan 30-Feb 1, 2012.
Presentation: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/53921.pdf

Esposito, A.; Augustine, C. (2011). "Geopressured Geothermal Resource and Recoverable Energy Estimate for the Wilcox and Frio Formations, Texas." Geothermal Resource Council Transactions. Vol. 35.1563-1571
Presentation: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/52966.pdf

Esposito, A. (2010). Remediation of Possible Leakage from Geologic CO2 Storage Reservoirs Into Groundwater Aquifers. Stanford University, Energy Resources Engineering Master's Thesis.

Esposito, A.; Benson, S.M. (2010). "Optimization of Remediation of Possible Leakage from Geologic CO2 Storage Reservoirs into Groundwater Aquifers." SPE Western Regional Meeting, 27-29 May 2010, Anaheim, California, SPE 133604.

Krevor, S.; Perrin, J.C.; Esposito, A.; Rella, C.; Benson, S.M. (2010). "Rapid detection and characterization of surface CO2 leakage through the real-time measurement of δ13 C signatures in CO2 flux from the ground." International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. 4(5): 811-815

Full list of Ariel Esposito publications (NREL)

Personal interests/hobbies

Cats, electric vehicles, watercolor painting, hiking, historical fiction, and international travel.