Smart City Geo-Digital Transformation and Sustainability Assessment Initiative Nigeria (SMARTGAIN): Mapping Deep Geothermal Energy Potential to the Sustainable Digital Transformation of Abuja and Environs (Federal Capital Territory), Nigeria into a Smart Territory

Abstract

The deep geothermal energy potential of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was assessed using aeromagnetic data to explore its viability as a power source for the evolving smart territory. Aeromagnetic data from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency underwent standard geothermal processing and interpretation using Centre for Exploratory Targeting Grid Analysis, Softsign Function filter, Tilt Angle, Tilt Angle Euler Deconvolution, Source Parameter Imaging, spectral depth analysis, conceptual and numerical magnetic geothermal models, and volumetric static/steady-state geothermal potential estimation. The geotectonic structures dominantly trend ENE–WSW and WNW–ESE, with a maximum lineament density of 1.9 km/km² and magnetic depths from 45 m to 34,648 m. Curie Point Depth varies from 3.70 km to 32.57 km, geothermal gradient (GG) from 13.6 ºC/km to 117.8 ºC/km, and geothermal heat-flow from 34.12 mW/m² to 294.6 mW/m². Using an optimum GG cut-off of 70°C/km, six geothermal hotspots (GHS) were identified, with an average cut-off depth of 2.5 km. Their estimated deep geothermal 14 15 heat potential ranges from 4,195,890 x 10 MJ to 5,169,476 x 10 MJ and totals 1,674,674 x 10¹⁶ MJ, while their deep geothermal power potential ranges from 1,330 MW to 16,381 MW and totals 53,067 MW , assuming a 10% e e e recovery factor, 10% conversion efficiency, and 100% load factor over 100 years. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and smart city developers, supporting the strategic harnessing of deep geothermal energy in the FCT, to meet rising energy demands, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and guide infrastructure planning to prevent development on suspected GHS.

Publication Info:

Author: Oyeniyi, T.O.

Volume: 61

Issue: August

Published By: Journal of Mining and Geology Vol. 61(1) 2025. pp. 63 - 78, 2025-09-01