Nebraska State Profile
Background
Nebraska has not historically been thought to hold viable potential for near-term geothermal energy development as compared with some other western states. However, analyses of available geologic data have revealed that potentially vast low-temperature (<100°C) hydrothermal resources occur throughout broad areas in the western portion of Nebraska. The low-temperature hydrothermal resources of Nebraska are suitable for direct-use applications, or the transfer of energy directly from thermal waters for heating purposes. There is great potential for these resources to prove useful in enhancing the efficiency of the state's numerous agricultural and livestock operations.
Source: Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory. If you have difficulty accessing the content of this map, please contact the Webmaster.
Current Development
Geothermal development in Nebraska to date has been limited to the direct-use of surface hot spring resources by ranchers to heat livestock enclosures and related applications. Installing geothermal heat pumps for interior heating and cooling is increasing in popularity for commercial, public, and residential facilities.
Proposed Development
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Hydrothermal activity considered to have the greatest development potential is located in the western half of Nebraska in association with the Denver-Julesberg Basin geological feature. Nebraska's geothermal resources have been evaluated primarily through bottomhole temperatures in oil and gas wells and have been identified as low-temperature thermal waters. Reservoirs in the extreme northwestern corner of the state are considered to be especially favorable for the discovery of hydrothermal resources suitable for development. Higher-temperature hydrothermal resources, possibly suitable for electric power generation, are inferred to exist in the extreme northwestern corner of the state, potentially leading to more comprehensive exploration of Nebraska's geothermal characteristics. The potential capacity for electricity generation has not been quantitatively estimated, and the total potential capacity for direct thermal use has been estimated at 1,550 MW.
New plans for the development of geothermal resources in Nebraska continue to focus on geothermal (ground-source) heat pump systems in public and private facilities. The opportunity exists for new direct-heating systems using thermal waters directly in agricultural applications. Similar resources in other states have been used for fish farming, crop drying, and heating livestock facilities.
Economic Benefits
In Nebraska, public school districts have prominently demonstrated the benefits of using geothermal heat pump (GHP) systems (also referred to as ground-source heat pumps) to efficiently provide heating and cooling for school buildings. Nebraska ranks fifth in the nation for the number of schools employing GHP systems, resulting in significant economic savings for school districts and taxpayers. As a case in point, due to energy savings resulting from GHP installations in four school buildings, the Lincoln school district has realized savings of approximately $144,000 per year in comparison with the cost to operate more traditional heating and cooling systems.
Technical Capabilities
expertise to the investigation and development of geothermal energy in the state. The University of Nebraska in Lincoln houses the state's geological survey division, which in 1983 produced a report entitled An Inventory of Geothermal Resources in Nebraska in an effort to supplement and analyze available geothermal data.
Incentives
Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and other rural small businesses have the opportunity to receive funding assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under Section 9006 of the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Bill. Projects eligible for funding include those that use geothermal energy, either directly, or to enhance production of other renewable energy resources such as hydrogen derived from biomass. Projects are selected for funding through an annual competitive solicitation process. More information regarding this opportunity is available at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html.
Nebraska does not currently have a renewable portfolio standard mandating that a certain percentage of electricity used in the state be generated from renewable energy sources. However, some state utilities, including Lincoln Electric Systems and the Omaha Public Power District, offer cash incentives to residential or commercial customers for the installation of qualifying geothermal heat pump systems.
State Working Groups
Geothermal State Working Groups are networks of individuals typically including geothermal developers, utility representatives, local officials and policymakers, and other energy stakeholders within a given state or region. Geothermal State Working Groups are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's GeoPowering the West Initiative and often work in conjunction with the state energy office of the group's respective state to accomplish networking conferences, analyze regulatory issues, and assess the progress of local geothermal projects.
Nebraska has not established a Geothermal State Working Group at this time. However, the Nebraska Energy Office is actively engaged in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy through the State Energy Program, which provides funding assistance to facilitate projects utilizing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The State Energy Program supported a project in Nebraska that provided technical training and educational outreach to over 200 individuals to promote the deployment of geothermal heat pump systems, particularly in public school settings.
List of Projects
A listing of geothermal projects operating in Nebraska has not been compiled at this time. Details regarding the location and geothermal energy capacity of projects nationwide can be found at the U.S. Geothermal Projects website, http://geoheat.oit.edu/dusys.htm, developed by the Oregon Institute of Technology's Geo-Heat Center.
State Contacts
Nebraska Energy Office
Larry Pearce
Assistant Director for Planning and Research
Lincoln, Nebraska
Phone: (402) 471-33623
Ann Selzer
Division Chief, Energy Projects Division
Lincoln, Nebraska
Phone: (402) 471-3533
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Nebraska Department of Natural Resources
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Nebraska Public Service Commission
National DOE Contacts
U.S. Department of Energy
Curtis Framel
Senior Energy Project Officer
Golden Field Office
Golden, Colorado
(303) 275-4872
U.S. Department of Energy
Sandy Glatt
Senior Energy Project Officer
Central Regional Office
Golden, Colorado
(303) 275-4857