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Outstanding issues for new geothermal resource assessments

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Abstract

A critical question for the future energy policy of the United States is the extent to which geothermal resources can contribute to an ever-increasing demand for electricity. Electric power production from geothermal sources exceeds that from wind and solar combined, yet the installed capacity falls far short of the geothermal resource base characterized in past assessments, even though the estimated size of the resource in six assessments completed in the past 35 years varies by thousands of Megawatts-electrical (MWe). The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) is working closely with the Department of Energy's (DOE) Geothermal Research Program and other geothermal organizations on a three-year effort to produce an updated assessment of available geothermal resources. The new assessment will introduce significant changes in the models for geothermal energy recovery factors, estimates of reservoir permeability, limits to temperatures and depths for electric power production, and include the potential impact of evolving Enhanced (or Engineered) Geothermal Systems (EGS) technology.
Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Outstanding issues for new geothermal resource assessments
Volume 29
Year Published 2005
Language English
Larger Work Title Transactions - Geothermal Resources Council
First page 315
Last page 320
Conference Title Geothermal Resources Council 2005 Annual Meeting
Conference Location Reno, NV
Conference Date 25 September 2005 through 28 September 2005
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