Funding will support the project team's small-scale research and development of a seismic monitoring solution that leverages fiber optic sensors and high-performance computing to characterize subsurface fractures and seismic risk for geothermal operations in real time.
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
March 5, 2026
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Funding will support the project team's small-scale research and development of a seismic monitoring solution that leverages fiber optic sensors and high-performance computing to characterize subsurface fractures and seismic risk for geothermal operations in real time. Specifically, the project team will (1) develop, test, and validate workflow and associated software for monitoring small earthquakes produced by geothermal projects, (2) deploy preliminary prototype system to monitor earthquakes at geothermal project site, (3) integrate monitoring data into full system prototype, and (4) prepare system design for next-stage development. If successful, this project will result in a system to reduce operating costs and risks involved in geothermal energy production, ultimately reducing dependence on foreign energy, thereby increasing U.S. energy security.