Enhanced Geothermal Systems Roadmap Workshops

June 21, 2011

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) are engineered or enhanced reservoirs created to produce energy from geothermal resources that are otherwise not economical due to a lack of fluid and/or permeability.

EGS technology can enhance existing geothermal systems and create new systems where appropriate thermal and geologic characteristics occur.  EGS has the potential for accessing the Earth’s vast resources of heat located at depth; the United States’ potential is estimated at 16,000 GWe by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).  In an effort to facilitate development of and overcome the challenges associated with EGS so this vast resource can be developed, the Geothermal Technologies Program (the Program) would like to invite EGS subject matter experts to take part in the upcoming EGS Roadmap Workshop.  Input from a diverse group of experts is paramount to develop a robust roadmap and a suitable path forward for the EGS program.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program (the Program) will be hosting an Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Roadmap Workshop on August 3-4. The meeting will be taking place in the Bay Area, further details are forthcoming. 

To ensure an interactive and effective environment, participation will be limited to 10-15 individuals by an application process. For consideration, please e-mail the following materials to EGS@ee.doe.gov:

• Name and contact information;
  
• Your reason for participation and expected contributions to the Workshop; and
  
• An attached biography and CV
  

The qualifications of each applicant will be reviewed by program staff, who will be making their final decisions by Thursday, June 30. To ensure your application is reviewed, please apply no later than Wednesday, June 29.

The roadmapping workshop will allow the Program the opportunity to exchange facts and information with subject matter experts to better refine performance and cost metrics and milestones needed to overcome the challenges associated with the development and demonstration of EGS reservoirs.

The information collected from the workshop will be incorporated into the Program’s EGS Roadmap document and will be made available online for public comment. Currently, the draft document is expected to be available in September 2011. The Program will announce the release of the draft EGS Roadmap on its home page and by e-mail to the Geothermal Workshops and Webcasts distribution list. If you are not already part of the distribution list, please consider subscribing.