Geothermal Resource Investigations Project
Geothermal Resource Investigations Project (GRIP)
Geothermal energy is a significant source of renewable electric power in the western United States and, with advances in exploration and development technologies, a potential source of a large fraction of baseload electric power for the entire country. This project focuses on advancing geothermal research through a better understanding of geothermal resources and the impacts of geothermal development. This is achieved by applying a wide range of research methods to characterize resource occurrences, monitor geothermal developments, and conduct resource assessments. While much emphasis has been placed on electricity generation, low-temperature geothermal resources and thermal energy storage in geological reservoirs have been identified as potentially large sources of energy for direct-use heating and cooling of infrastructure across the entire US. The results of national-scale assessments and supporting research studies provide State and Federal government policymakers with the information they need to evaluate the potential contribution of geothermal energy to the nation’s energy mix.
Why are we studying these issues?
The understanding of what constitutes a geothermal energy resource has evolved over time. Conventional hydrothermal systems were the first systems identified and developed to produce electric power, taking advantage of natural groundwater circulation through rock at elevated temperatures, resulting in significant advective transport of heat to near land-surface. Geothermal heat is plentiful, and if deep permeability can be located or engineered (EGS) within the identified hot rock underlying the western US, then geothermal energy could provide electric power equivalent to approximately 50% of the current US electric power production capacity. While much emphasis has been placed on electricity generation, low-temperature geothermal resources and thermal energy storage in geological reservoirs have been identified as potentially large sources of energy for direct-use heating and cooling of infrastructure across the entire US.
USGS has major responsibilities defined in Federal legislation, notably:
- Geothermal Steam Act of 1970
- Energy Policy Act of 1992
- Energy Policy Act of 2005
- Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
- Energy act of 2020
The most-specific mandate for USGS is to make “regional and national appraisals of all types of geothermal resources”. In response to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, in 1971, the USGS identified “known geothermal resource areas”, and completed the first national-scale assessment of geothermal resources of the US. In response to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, geothermal energy assessments were updated. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 states that assessment updates are to be completed “as the availability of data and developments in technology warrants”. The Energy Act of 2020 directs the USGS to update the 2008 assessment of geothermal resources United States, expand the types of resources assessed, and focus on a larger geographic extent, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
Our objectives
These objectives comprehensively address the five interrelated goals of the USGS Energy and Minerals Science Strategy
- Conduct regional and national scale geothermal energy assessments for the benefit of the US. Inventory and estimate each type of geothermal energy for which we have sufficient data and technical understanding about development of a potentially viable resource
- Cooperatively conduct fundamental and applied research into processes that control the occurrence and development of geothermal resources. USGS GRIP efforts are focused on characterization of each resource, which is distinct from prospecting or development activities, though there are synergies between these activities. This includes research on unintended adverse impacts to the environment. This information is used both to refine assessments and to advise partner agencies so that they may effectively achieve their missions.
Meeting Science Strategy goals
- Understand fundamental Earth processes that form energy and mineral resources
- Understand the environmental behavior of energy and mineral resources and their waste products
- Provide inventories and assessments of energy and mineral resources
- Understand the effects of energy and mineral development on the environment and society
- Understand the reliability and availability of energy and mineral supplies
Low-temperature geothermal resources and thermal energy storage are both identified as hugely under-utilized. Geothermal resources could grow to supply more than 320 GWth of heating and cooling by 2050. USGS can provide critical assessment maps for the full range of geothermal resource types, can contribute to identified technological improvements for the characterization of resources, and can develop products that can aid the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and other regulatory agencies in streamlining their permitting processes. Shortened permitting timelines are identified as a critical factor for effective geothermal development, and appropriate products generated by this project will aid partners in the decision-making process.
Geothermal energy is a significant source of renewable electric power in the western United States and, with advances in exploration and development technologies, a potential source of a large fraction of baseload electric power for the entire country. This project focuses on advancing geothermal research through a better understanding of geothermal resources and the impacts of geothermal development. This is achieved by applying a wide range of research methods to characterize resource occurrences, monitor geothermal developments, and conduct resource assessments. While much emphasis has been placed on electricity generation, low-temperature geothermal resources and thermal energy storage in geological reservoirs have been identified as potentially large sources of energy for direct-use heating and cooling of infrastructure across the entire US. The results of national-scale assessments and supporting research studies provide State and Federal government policymakers with the information they need to evaluate the potential contribution of geothermal energy to the nation’s energy mix.
Why are we studying these issues?
The understanding of what constitutes a geothermal energy resource has evolved over time. Conventional hydrothermal systems were the first systems identified and developed to produce electric power, taking advantage of natural groundwater circulation through rock at elevated temperatures, resulting in significant advective transport of heat to near land-surface. Geothermal heat is plentiful, and if deep permeability can be located or engineered (EGS) within the identified hot rock underlying the western US, then geothermal energy could provide electric power equivalent to approximately 50% of the current US electric power production capacity. While much emphasis has been placed on electricity generation, low-temperature geothermal resources and thermal energy storage in geological reservoirs have been identified as potentially large sources of energy for direct-use heating and cooling of infrastructure across the entire US.
USGS has major responsibilities defined in Federal legislation, notably:
- Geothermal Steam Act of 1970
- Energy Policy Act of 1992
- Energy Policy Act of 2005
- Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
- Energy act of 2020
The most-specific mandate for USGS is to make “regional and national appraisals of all types of geothermal resources”. In response to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, in 1971, the USGS identified “known geothermal resource areas”, and completed the first national-scale assessment of geothermal resources of the US. In response to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, geothermal energy assessments were updated. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 states that assessment updates are to be completed “as the availability of data and developments in technology warrants”. The Energy Act of 2020 directs the USGS to update the 2008 assessment of geothermal resources United States, expand the types of resources assessed, and focus on a larger geographic extent, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
Our objectives
These objectives comprehensively address the five interrelated goals of the USGS Energy and Minerals Science Strategy
- Conduct regional and national scale geothermal energy assessments for the benefit of the US. Inventory and estimate each type of geothermal energy for which we have sufficient data and technical understanding about development of a potentially viable resource
- Cooperatively conduct fundamental and applied research into processes that control the occurrence and development of geothermal resources. USGS GRIP efforts are focused on characterization of each resource, which is distinct from prospecting or development activities, though there are synergies between these activities. This includes research on unintended adverse impacts to the environment. This information is used both to refine assessments and to advise partner agencies so that they may effectively achieve their missions.
Meeting Science Strategy goals
- Understand fundamental Earth processes that form energy and mineral resources
- Understand the environmental behavior of energy and mineral resources and their waste products
- Provide inventories and assessments of energy and mineral resources
- Understand the effects of energy and mineral development on the environment and society
- Understand the reliability and availability of energy and mineral supplies
Low-temperature geothermal resources and thermal energy storage are both identified as hugely under-utilized. Geothermal resources could grow to supply more than 320 GWth of heating and cooling by 2050. USGS can provide critical assessment maps for the full range of geothermal resource types, can contribute to identified technological improvements for the characterization of resources, and can develop products that can aid the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and other regulatory agencies in streamlining their permitting processes. Shortened permitting timelines are identified as a critical factor for effective geothermal development, and appropriate products generated by this project will aid partners in the decision-making process.