Enhanced geothermal systems electric-resource assessment for the Great Basin, southwestern United States
May 22, 2025
The U.S. Geological Survey recently (2025) completed a provisional assessment of the geothermal-electric resources associated with high-temperature, low-permeability rock formations of the Great Basin, Southwestern United States. If sufficient technological advances to commercialize enhanced geothermal systems occur, then a current best provisional estimate for electric-power generation capacity of 135 gigawatts electric are available from the upper 6 kilometers of the Earth’s crust. This estimate is a potential substantial increase of the installed geothermal electricity-generating capacity from <1 to 10 percent of current total U.S. power production capacity.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Title | Enhanced geothermal systems electric-resource assessment for the Great Basin, southwestern United States |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs20253027 |
| Authors | Erick R. Burns, Colin F. Williams, Jacob DeAngelo |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Fact Sheet |
| Series Number | 2025-3027 |
| Index ID | fs20253027 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center |
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