Key activities for the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) include research, development and demonstration; system validation; technology validation; strategic planning, analysis, and R&D integration. Specific activities are summarized below.
Program Area Activities
Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)
GTO conducts research, development and demonstration projects to establish EGS as a major contributor for electricity generation. Specific activities include continued RD&D on: zonal isolation; downhole pumps; fracture characterization; image fluid flow; tracers and tracer interpretation; high-temperature logging tools and sensors and stimulation prediction models. EGS demonstrations focus on reservoir pre-stimulation, stimulation, and long-term data collection and monitoring.
Hydrothermal and Resource Confirmation (HRC)
This program area focuses on exploration R&D and technology activities.
Low-Temperature Resources
Activities in this area are focused on the analysis of resource potential, power production capabilities, improved working fluids, innovative cooling technologies, and oil and gas field co-production opportunities.
Systems Analysis
Systems analysis activities provide direction, focus and support for answering key questions pertaining to geothermal technology development and commercialization. Specific activities focus on strategic planning, geothermal data systems support and maintenance, technology characterization, environmental analysis, and market and policy analysis.
Partnerships and Intergovernmental Initiatives
GTO works in partnership with industry, academia, and the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories to establish geothermal energy as an economically competitive contributor to the U.S. energy portfolio. GTO activities build on the technical research base developed over the last two decades that will provide the information and understanding necessary to create new innovative, more efficient and reliable technologies, and to enable the U.S. geothermal industry to compete for baseload electricity generation.
Communications and Outreach
The communications effort educates and informs about geothermal science and industry through press releases and progress alerts, technology fact sheets, presentations, events, and the GTO website. Educational and outreach materials can also be accessed through the GTO publications library.
Featured Links
Geothermal Technologies FY14 Budget At-a-Glance, a publication of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Geothermal Technologies Office
April 11, 2013
minute read time
Geothermal Technologies FY14 Budget At-a-Glance
Geothermal Technologies FY14 Budget At-a-Glance, a publication of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
GTO 2013 Peer Review
The Geothermal Technologies Office Peer Review offers geothermal stakeholders an opportunity to learn about the projects funded by DOE across a wide spectrum of technical complexity and funding magnitude, from research and development to demonstration and analysis. The event also opens a dialogue with other respected experts in geophysics, geochemistry, modeling, tools, and more. The office conducts this rigorous review by independent, qualified peers to assess key achievements in geothermal development and to meet strategic DOE guidelines.
The office funds 175 geothermal research, development, and demonstration projects leveraging nearly $400 million in total combined investment. Each project represents a growing technology sector in conventional hydrothermal, low temperature and coproduced, or Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) technologies, as well as technical and non-technical research and analysis.
Peer Evaluation Report
2013 Geothermal Technologies Office Peer Review Report
2013 Presentations
Review Chair Plenary Presentation
Dr. Kate Baker, review chair, DOE Geothermal Technologies OfficeDOE Geothermal Technologies Office Plenary Presentation
Doug Hollett, director; Lauren Boyd, EGS program manager; and Eric Hass, Hydrothermal Program manager; DOE Geothermal Technologies OfficeGeothermal Prospects in Colorado
Bobi Garrett, Deputy Laboratory Director, Strategic Programs and Partnerships, National Energy Renewable Laboratory
Fueling Innovation and Adoption by Sharing Data on the DOE Geothermal Data Repository
Jon Weers, NREL and Arlene Anderson, DOE Geothermal Technologies OfficeKeeping Nevada in Hot Water! (Tectonic and Structural Controls of Great Basin Geothermal Systems: Developing Successful Exploration Strategies)
James Faulds, University of Nevada, RenoAir-Cooled Condensers for Next Generation Power Plants
Greg Mines, Idaho National LaboratoryOpenEI and Linked Open Data
Kate Young and Jon Weers, NREL
Electric Power Generation Using Geothermal Fluid Coproduced from Oil and/or Gas Wells
Bernie Karl, Chena Hot Springs ResortElectric Power Generation from Co-Produced and Other Oil Field Fluids
William D. Gosnold, University of North DakotaHybrid Geothermal-Solar
Greg Mines, Idaho National LaboratoryNovel Energy Conversion Equipment for Low Temperature Geothermal Resources
Frank Baumgardt, Johnson Controls Inc.The Canby Cascaded Geothermal Development Project
Dale Merrick, Modoc Contracting Co.A Revolutionary Hybrid Thermodynamic Cycle for Binary Geothermal Power Plants
Adrian Sabau, Oak Ridge National LaboratoryOsmotic Heat Engine for Energy Production from Low Temperature Geothermal Resources
Nathan Hancock, Oasys WaterKalex Advanced Low Temperature Geothermal Power Cycle
Cheryl Sandifer and Michael Mugerwa, Technip USAFairbanks Geothermal Energy Project
Denise Brand and Bernie Karl, Chena Hot Springs ResortSingle-Well Low Temperature CO2-Based Engineered Geothermal System
Alan D. Eastman and Mark Muir, GreenFire EnergyExperiment-Based Model for the Chemical Interactions between Geothermal Rocks, Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Water
Miroslav Petro, PARC (Palo Alto Research Center)An Integrated Experimental and Numerical Study: Developing a Reaction Transport Model that Couples Chemical Reactions of Mineral Dissolution/Precipitation with Spatial and Temporal Flow Variations in CO2/Brine/Rock Systems
Martin Saar, University of MinnesotaAdvanced Heat/Mass Exchanger Technology for Geothermal and Solar Renewable Energy Systems (NV)
Paul Laca, University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)El Paso County Geothermal Electric Generation Project: Innovative Research Technologies Applied to the Geothermal Resource Potential at Ft. Bliss
Ben Barker, El Paso CountyValidation of Innovative Exploration Technologies for Newberry Volcano
Albert F. Waibel, Davenport Power, LLCDirect Confirmation of Commercial Geothermal Resources in Colorado using Remote Sensing and On-Site Exploration, Testing and Analysis
F. Robinson, Flint Geothermal LLCAdvanced Seismic Data Analysis Program (The "Hot Pot Project")
Frank Misseldine and Mike Lane, Oski Energy, LLCRecovery Act: Detachment faulting and Geothermal Resources – An Innovative Integrated Geological and Geophysical Investigation of Pearl Hot Spring, Nevada
Daniel Stockli, University of Texas at AustinInnovative Exploration Techniques for Geothermal Assessment at Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Greg Kaufman, Pueblo of JemezComprehensive Evaluation of the Geothermal Resource Potential within the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation
Donna Noel, Pyramid Lake Paiute TribeFinding Large Aperture Fractures in Geothermal Resource Areas Using a Three-Component Long-Offset Surface Seismic Survey
William Teplow, US Geothermal Inc.Integration of Full Tensor Gravity and ZTEM Passive Low Frequency EM Instruments for Simultaneous Data Acquisition
Scott Wieberg, Bell Geospace Inc.Time-lapse Joint Inversion of Geophysical Data and its Application to Geothermal Prospecting - GEODE
Andre Revil and Mike Batzle, Colorado School of Mines, and Ezra Zemach, ORMATStochastic Joint Inversion for Integrated Data Interpretation in Geothermal Exploration
Robert Mellors, Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryNovel use of 4D Monitoring Techniques to Improve Reservoir Longevity and Productivity in Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Kelly Rose and Adam Schultz, National Energy Technology LaboratoryMonitoring EGS Stimulation and Reservoir Dynamics with InSAR and MEQ
Nicholas Davatzes, Temple UniversitySpectral SP: A New Approach to Mapping Reservoir Flow and Permeability
Donald Thomas, University of HawaiiGreat Basin Center for Geothermal Energy
Wendy Calvin, University of Nevada, RenoDevelopment of a low cost method to estimate the seismic signature of a geothermal field from ambient seismic noise analysis
Ileana Tibuleac, University of Nevada, RenoIntegrating Magnetotellurics, Soil Gas Geochemistry and Structural Analysis to Identify Hidden, High-Enthalpy,Extensional Geothermal Systems
Phillip Wannamaker, University of UtahHydrogeochemical Indicators for Great Basin Geothermal Resources
Stuart Simmons, Colorado School of MinesNovel Coupled Thermochronometric and Geochemical Investigation of Blind Geothermal Resources in Fault- Controlled Dilational Corners
Daniel Stockli, University of Texas at AustinImproved Geothermometry Through Multivariate Reaction Path Modeling and Evaluation of Geomicrobiological Influences on Geochemical Temperature Indicators
Craig Cooper, Idaho National LaboratoryThe Viability of Sustainable, Self-Propping Shear Zones in Enhanced Geothermal Systems: Measurement of Reaction Rates at Elevated Temperatures
Susan Carroll, Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryEffects of Volcanism, Crustal Thickness, and Large Scale Faulting on the Development and Evolution of Geothermal Systems: Collaborative Project in Chile
Pat Dobson, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryMethodologies for Reservoir Characterization Using Fluid Inclusion Gas Chemistry
Lorie Dilley, Hattenburg, Dilley, and Linnell, LLCOptimizing parameters for predicting the geochemical behavior and performance of discrete fracture networks in geothermal systems
Alexandra Hakala, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Newberry Volcano EGS Demonstration
Susan Petty, AltaRock Energy Inc.Demonstration of an Enhanced Geothermal System at the Northwest Geysers Geothermal Field
Mark Walters, Geysers Power Co., LLCBrady's EGS Project
Kyle Snyder and Ezra Zemach, Ormat Nevada Inc.Concept Testing and Development at the Raft River Geothermal Field, Idaho
Joseph Moore and J. McLennan, University of UtahDesert Peak East EGS Project
Ethan Chabora, GeothermEx, and Ezra Zemach, Ormat Nevada Inc.Use of Geophysical Techniques to Characterize Fluid Flow in a Geothermal Reservoir
Michael Batzle, Colorado School of MinesAdvanced 3D Geophysical Imaging Technologies for Geothermal Resource Characterization
Greg Newman and Michael Fehler, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryImaging, Characterizing, and Modeling of Fracture Networks and Fluid Flow in EGS Reservoirs; Full Waveform Inversion of 3D-9C VSP Data from Brady's EGS Site and Update of the Brady Reservoir Scale Model
Lianjie Huang, Los Alamos National LaboratoryMonitoring and Modeling Fluid Flow in a Developing EGS Reservoir
Michael Fehler, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUltra High Resolution Cold Neutron Imaging of Fluid Flow and Fracture in EGS Environments; Improved Cold Neutron Imaging for EGS Studies
Yarom Polsky, Oak Ridge National LaboratoryFracture Network and Fluid Flow Imaging for EGS Applications from Multi-Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Structure
Phillip Wannamaker, University of UtahSustainability of Shear-Induced Permeability for EGS Reservoirs – A Laboratory Study, by Tim Kneafsey, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Characterizing Fractures in Geysers Geothermal Field by Microseismic Data, Using Soft Computing, Fractals, and Shear Wave Anisotropy
Fred Aminzadeh, University of Southern CaliforniaTowards the Understanding of Induced Seismicity in Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Doug Dreger, UC BerkeleyDevelopment of a Geological and Geomechanical Framework for the Analysis of MEQ in EGS Experiments (Geysers)
Ahmad Ghassemi, University of OklahomaRotation-Enabled 7-DOF Seismometer for Geothermal Resource Development
Darren Laughlin, A-Tech Corp.Complete Fiber/Copper Cable Solution for Long-Term Temperature and Pressure Measurement in Supercritical Reservoirs and EGS Wells
Mark Lowell, Draka Cableteq USAExtreme Temperature Energy Storage and Generation, for Cost and Risk Reduction in Geothermal Exploration
Riccardo Signorelli, FastCAP Systems Inc.Perforating System for Geothermal Applications
Moises Smart, Schlumberger Technology Corp.High-Temperature-High-Volume Lifting For Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Norman Turnquist, GE Global ResearchWell Monitoring Systems for EGS
Randy Normann, Perma Works LLCEnergetic Materials for EGS Well Stimulation
Mark Grubelich, Sandia National LaboratoriesMicrohole Arrays Drilled With Advanced Abrasive Slurry Jet Technology To Efficiently Exploit Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Ken Oglesby, Impact Technologies, LLCTechnology Development and Field Trials of EGS Drilling Systems
Steve Knudsen, Sandia National LaboratoriesDeep Geothermal Drilling using Millimeter Wave Technology
Ken Oglesby, Impact Technologies, LLCEvaluation of Emerging Technology for Geothermal Drilling and Logging Applications
Doug Blankenship, Sandia National LaboratoriesDirectional Measurement-While-Drilling System for Geothermal Applications; High Temperature 300°C Directional Drilling System
Jochen Schnitger, Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Inc.Auto-Indexer for Percussive Hammers
Jiann Su, Sandia National LaboratoriesSelf-Degradable Temporary Cementitious Sealers
Toshi Sugama, Brookhaven National LaboratoryDevelopment of an Improved Cement for Geothermal Wells
George Trabits, Trabits Group, LLCMaterials Corrosive Resistant Foam Well-Costing Cement Composites
Toshi Sugama, Brookhaven National LaboratoryHigh Temperature, High Pressure Devices for Zonal Isolation in Geothermal Wells
Paul Fabian, Composite Technology Development Inc.Isolation Self Consuming Downhole Packer
Mark Grubelich, Sandia National LaboratoriesIMHR Geothermal Resource Development with Zero Mass Withdrawal, Engineered Convection, and Wellbore Energy Conversion
Christopher White, LA State University
Decision Analysis for Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Herbert H. Einstein, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyAnalysis of Low-Temperature Utilization of Geothermal Resources
Brian Anderson, West Virginia UniversityHybrid and Advanced Air Cooling
Desikan Bharathan, National Renewable Energy LaboratoryEstimation and Analysis of Life Cycle Costs of Baseline Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Uday Turaga, Adi Analytics, LLCGETEM Development
Greg Mines, Idaho National LaboratoryGeothermal Regulatory Roadmap
Kate Young, National Renewable Energy LaboratoryNational Geothermal Data System Design and Testing
Harold Blackman, Boise State UniversityAASG State Geological Survey Contributions to NGDS
Lee Allison, Arizona Geological SurveyHeat Flow Database Expansion for NGDS Data Development, Collection and Maintenance, by David D. Blackwell, Southern Methodist University
National Geothermal Resource Assessment and Classification
Colin Williams, U.S. Geological SurveyQuantum Dot Tracers for Use in Engineered Geothermal Systems
Peter Rose, University of UtahNovel Multidimensional Tracers for Geothermal Inter-Well Diagnostics
Yongchun Tang and John Ma, Power Environmental Energy Research InstituteFracture Evolution following Hydraulic Stimulation within an EGS Reservoir
Peter Rose, University of UtahReservoir-Stimulation Optimization with Operational Monitoring for Creation of Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Carlos Fernandez, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryStimulation at Desert Peak and Brady's reservoirs: modeling with the coupled THM code FEHM
Sharad Kelkar, Los Alamos National LaboratoryCoupled Thermal-Hydrological-Mechanical-Chemical Model and Experiments for Optimization of Enhanced Geothermal System Development and Production; Evaluation of Stimulation at the Newberry Volcano EGS Demonstration Site through Natural Isotopic Reactive Tracers and Geochemical Investigation
Eric Sonnenthal, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryPNNL Support of the DOE GTO Model Comparison Activity
Timothy Scheibe, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryIntegration of Nontraditional Isotopic Systems Into Reaction-Transport Models of EGS for Exploration, Evaluation of Water-Rock Interaction, and Impacts of Water Chemistry on Reservoir Sustainability
Eric Sonnenthal, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryTHMC Modeling of EGS Reservoirs – Continuum through Discontinuum Representations: Capturing Reservoir Stimulation, Evolution and Induced Seismicity
Derek Elsworth, Pennsylvania State UniversityAnalysis of Geothermal Reservoir Stimulation using Geomechanics-Based Stochastic Analysis of Injection-Induced Seismicity
Ahmad Ghassemi, University of OklahomaDevelopment of Advanced Thermal-Hydrological-Mechanical- Chemical (THMC) Modeling Capabilities for Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Yu-Shu Wu, Colorado School of MinesThree-dimensional Modeling of Fracture Clusters in Geothermal Reservoirs
Ahmad Ghassemi, University of OklahomaIntegration of Noise and Coda Correlation Data into Kinematic and Waveform Inversions
Daniel O'Connell, Fugro ConsultantsFRAC-STIM: A Physics-Based Fracture Stimulation, Reservoir Flow and Heat Transport Simulator (aka FALCON)
Robert Podgorney, Idaho National LaboratoryInnovative Computational Tools for Reducing Exploration Risk Through Integration of Water-Rock Interactions and Magnetotelluric Surveys
Joseph Moore, University of Utah