The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Geothermal (OG) and its research partners use tools to assess geothermal technology and its environmental, economic, and energy benefits. These tools include data repositories, maps, permitting databases, and other resources to assist with understanding and advancing geothermal projects.
Portals
Geothermal Resource Data, Tools, and Maps—The National Laboratory of the Rockies' (NLR) hub for tools to analyze geothermal resources includes U.S. and international data tools as well as U.S. geothermal resource maps and their datasets.
OpenEI—OpenEI is a portal designed to make energy data transparent, participatory, and collaborative. OpenEI’s wiki links to energy information on hundreds of topics, crowdsourced from industry and government agencies, and includes a portal on geothermal energy. OpenEI also houses the Regulatory and Permitting Information Desktop (RAPID) Toolkit, which provides easy access to federal and state permitting information, best practices, and reference material for renewable energy and bulk transmission project development.
RE Data Explorer—NLR’s RE (Renewable Energy) Data Explorer provides renewable energy data, analytical tools, and technical assistance to developers, policymakers, and decision makers in developing countries.
Data Sources
Geothermal Data Repository (GDR)—Powered by OpenEI, the GDR is a storehouse of geothermal data on the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS). All OG-funded projects are required to upload data to the GDR for public use.
National Geothermal Data System (NGDS)—The NGDS is a OG-funded catalog of geoscience documents and datasets that provides information about geothermal resources. The NGDS includes quantifiable data of the subsurface, which can help target drilling, assess drilling performance in hard rock formations, and effectively characterize the subsurface for reservoir creation and maintenance.
Geothermal Energy Atlas (GEA) – The OG-funded, NLR-developed GEA is a free, interactive map designed to make complex geothermal geospatial data discoverable, understandable, and actionable. The GEA supports the full spectrum of geothermal applications (power, heating, cooling, mineral extraction, storage), resources (shallow, hydrothermal, hot dry rock, superhot), and technologies (conventional, enhanced geothermal, closed loop, underground storage).
GeoVision Scenario Viewer—OpenEI houses and provides access to the data that formed the foundation of the GeoVision analysis. Explore data illustrating the future potential of geothermal energy on electricity generation, district heating, and geothermal heat pumps (GHPs).
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS)—IRIS is a consortium of more than 100 U.S. universities dedicated to operating science facilities for acquiring, managing, and distributing seismological data.
International Heat Flow Commission’s Global Heat Flow Database—Hosted by the University of North Dakota, the global heat flow database includes continental heat flow points and marine points.
National Geologic Map Database – This resource from the U.S. Geological Survey and Association of American State Geologists allows users to explore, interact with, and download geologic map resources including a comprehensive map catalog, historical topographic map collection, geologic map schema, and more.
DOE’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI)—OSTI collects, preserves, and disseminates scientific and technical information resulting from DOE-funded research and development activities. Data uploaded to the GDR are complemented by Final Technical Reports that OG researchers upload to OSTI.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) Geothermal Laboratory—The SMU Geothermal Laboratory is an active research facility that strives to broaden the understanding and use of geothermal energy through geothermal resource projects. Their research includes extensive work in collecting geothermal data and producing maps, which is also compiled in the SMU node of the NGDS.
Modeling Tools
Geothermal Electricity Technology Evaluation Model (GETEM)—GETEM is the cost and performance estimating tool that OG uses to predict levelized costs of electricity from hydrothermal or enhanced geothermal systems.
Cost of Renewable Energy Spreadsheet Tool (CREST)—NLR’s CREST contains economic, cash-flow models designed to assess project economics, design cost-based incentives, and evaluate the impact of state and federal support structures on renewable energy.
GEOPHIRES—NLR’s GEOPHIRES is an open-source, Python-based code to perform techno-economic simulations of geothermal systems. The tool can simulate both hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal systems, and electricity production and direct-use heat as a surface application.
GeoT: A Computer Program for Multicomponent Geothermometry and Geochemical Speciation—The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) GeoT offers prediction of geothermal reservoir temperatures using full and integrated chemical analyses of geothermal fluids.
GSHP Screening Tool—To better understand the cost and benefits of GHP applications, also known as ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) applications, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory research team developed a consumer-friendly, web-based tool for estimating the cost and benefits of applying GHPs in residential and commercial buildings. The tool is openly accessible and allows users to calculate the energy savings that can be achieved by GHPs when installed in any type of residential or commercial building in any U.S. climate zone.
Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) Models—NLR’s JEDI models are user-friendly screening tools that estimate the economic impacts of constructing and operating power plants, fuel production facilities, and other projects at the local or state levels.
Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS)—This is NLR's flagship capacity planning model for the power sector; is has been used in more than 150 publications and is behind nearly every large-scale power grid study at NLR. ReEDS simulates electricity sector investment decisions based on system constraints and demand for energy and ancillary services, from the present day through 2050 or later. ReEDS is now an open source tool for energy analysis, and new users can access trainings on how to use the model and join the open access model discussion. OG has been a long supporter of ReEDS and looks forward to its expansion and accommodation of additional geothermal modeling capabilities in the future.
Renewable Energy Potential (reV) Model—The reV model is a first-of-its-kind detailed spatio-temporal modeling assessment tool that empowers users to calculate renewable energy capacity, generation, and cost based on geospatial intersection with grid infrastructure and land-use characteristics.
State and Local Planning for Energy (SLOPE)—The SLOPE Platform provides state-, county-, and city-level data on energy efficiency and renewable energy in transportation. The SLOPE system includes a tool that planners can use to assess costs, greenhouse gases, and energy consumption under different scenarios.
System Advisor Model (SAM)—NLR’s SAM is a free techno-economic software model that facilitates decision making for the renewable energy industry. It can model many types of renewable energy systems and perform financial modeling for several kinds of projects.
Guide, Reports, & Other Tools
Geothermal Resource Portfolio Optimization and Reporting Technique (GeoRePORT)—Developed by NLR and LBNL, GeoRePORT is a free-to-use reporting tool that helps facilitate communication among experts involved in the development process, as well as communication with project leaders and investors who lack geothermal expertise.
Protocol for Addressing Induced Seismicity Associated with Enhanced Geothermal Systems—DOE developed this protocol for proactive mitigation and monitoring of the potential for induced seismicity in enhanced geothermal systems. All OG-funded projects are required to adhere to this protocol.
The 2025 U.S. Geothermal Market Report confirms growth across geothermal sectors due to technological breakthroughs, private investments, and emerging market opportunities including data centers and grid support.
Outcomes from a Collaborative Approach to a Code Comparison Study for Enhanced Geothermal Systems—This OG-funded Pacific Northwest National Laboratory study served to test, diagnose differences, and demonstrate the state of modeling capabilities developed at national laboratories and academic institutes within the United States for modeling enhanced geothermal systems.
Want more geothermal data and analysis resources?
Explore our Geothermal Publications page and learn about OG’s Data, Modeling, and Analysis efforts.