• Mission, Vision, & Goals
• Plans, Implementation, & Results
• Multi-Year Plan
• Program Review Meeting
• Intergovernmental Initiatives
• Blue Ribbon Panel Report
• Contacts

About the Program

The Geothermal Technologies Program (the Program) develops innovative geothermal energy technologies to locate, access, and develop geothermal resources in the United States. Through research, development, and demonstration efforts that emphasize the acceleration of near-term hydrothermal growth and securing the future with enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), the Program is working to provide the nation with an abundant, clean, and renewable baseload energy source. Our goals:

Accelerate Near Term Hydrothermal Growth

• Lower risks and costs of development and exploration
• Lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) to 6 cents/kWh by 2020
• Accelerate development of 30 GWe of undiscovered hydrothermal resources

Secure the Future with Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)

• Demonstrate 5 MW reservoir creation by 2020
• Lower LCOE to 6 cents/kWh by 2030

The Program works in partnership with industry, academia, and the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories to establish geothermal energy as an economically competitive contributor to the U.S. energy portfolio. Program activities build on the technical research base developed over the last two decades that will provide the information and understanding necessary to create new innovative, more efficient and reliable technologies, and to enable the U.S. geothermal industry to compete for baseload electricity generation.

The Program's research and development is organized around five areas:

• Enhanced Geothermal Systems
• Hydrothermal and Resource Confirmation
• Low-Temperature Resources
• Systems Analysis
• Technology Validation

If you are new to geothermal energy, or just want to learn more about how it works and its benefits, visit Geothermal Basics.

Geothermal History

In 2010, GTP published a series of four history reports on Geothermal Energy Research and Development in the United States. The reports highlight the history and significant accomplishments of major research programs and projects in geothermal energy exploration, drilling, reservoir engineering and energy conversion in the United States from 1976-2006.

Download A History of Geothermal Energy Research and Development in the United States, 1976-2006:

• Volume 1: Exploration
• Volume 2: Drilling
• Volume 3: Reservoir Engineering
• Volume 4: Energy Conversion

More Geothermal History