U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Geothermal Technologies Program

Technologies

A geothermal power plant, Salton Sea area, in southeastern California.

This section provides information for the researcher and the consumer. Learn about the basics of geothermal energy, the different areas of geothermal research and development, the three main geothermal application categories (i.e., power, direct use, and heat pumps), how using geothermal energy impacts both the environment and the economy, and geothermal-related laws and standards.

• Geothermal Basics
  A basic overview of geothermal energy technologies

• Geothermal Resource Map
  See an interactive U.S. map locating and describing geothermal power plants, direct-use projects, and national laboratories.

• Geothermal Power Plants and Electricity Production
  Find information on the benefits and future of geothermal electricity, and data, photos, and schematics for several types of geothermal power plants.

• Direct-Use of Geothermal Resources
  Find information on direct-use applications and technologies.

• Geothermal Heat Pumps
  Overview and five articles on the use of geothermal heat pumps in homes, schools, businesses, and federal buildings.

• Environmental and Economic Impacts

• Laws and Standards