Plans, Implementation, and Results

The Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) carries out technology research, development, and deployment through an ongoing process of planning and analysis, implementation, and review. This Web page includes links to documents that support and document the program management process, and the results and public benefits that derive from them.

• Overview

  Learn more about this EERE Office.

• Plans

  Discover the plans, budgets, and analyses that set the direction of office priorities and activities.

• Implementation

  Find out how the office controls, implements, and adjusts its plans and manages its activities.

• Results
  Learn about the technological, commercial, and other outputs and outcomes that result from the public funds appropriated to the office and managed by it.

Overview

Summary

• Geothermal Technologies Office Annual Report 2012
  
  This annual report for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office highlights program areas, special projects, and accomplishments in 2012.
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Key Office Overview Documents

• Low-Temperature and Co-Produced Resources Fact Sheet
  
  This two-page Geothermal Technologies Office fact sheet provides an overview of low-temperature and co-produced resources. It includes technology benefits and project highlights.
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• What is an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS)? Fact Sheet
  
  This Geothermal Technologies Office fact sheet explains how engineered geothermal reservoirs called Enhanced Geothermal Systems are used to produce energy from geothermal resources that are otherwise not economical due to a lack of fluid and/or perme
  This Geothermal Technologies Office fact sheet explains how engineered geothermal reservoirs called Enhanced Geothermal Systems are used to produce energy from geothermal resources that are otherwise not economical due to a lack of fluid and/or permeability.

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• Geothermal Technologies Program Fact Sheet
  
  The DOE Geothermal Technologies Office or GTO (formerly Geothermal Technologies Program) is committed to developing and deploying a portfolio of innovative technologies for clean, domestic power generation. GTO conducts research, promotes development
  The DOE Geothermal Technologies Office or GTO (formerly Geothermal Technologies Program) is committed to developing and deploying a portfolio of innovative technologies for clean, domestic power generation. GTO conducts research, promotes development, and builds partnerships to establish geothermal energy as a significant contributor to America's future electricity generation. Learn more about GTO in this fact sheet.

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• Hydrothermal Resources Fact Sheet
  
  This two-page fact sheet provides an overview of hydrothermal resources and hydrothermal reservoir creation and operation.
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• Geothermal Power/Oil & Gas Coproduction Opportunity
  
  Coproduced geothermal resources can deliver near-term energy savings, diminish greenhouse gas emissions, extend the economic life of oil and gas fields, and profitably utilize oil and gas field infrastructure. This two-pager provides an overview of
  Coproduced geothermal resources can deliver near-term energy savings, diminish greenhouse gas emissions, extend the economic life of oil and gas fields, and profitably utilize oil and gas field infrastructure. This two-pager provides an overview of geothermal coproduced resources.

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• Geothermal Technologies Program Overview - Peer Review Program
  
  This Geothermal Technologies Program presentation was delivered on June 6, 2011 at a Program Peer Review meeting. It contains annual budget, Recovery Act, funding opportunities, upcoming program activities, and more.
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Structure and Key Contacts

• Geothermal Technologies Office Contacts
  
  This page lists Geothermal Technologies Office key staff and contact information.
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Office News

• Geothermal Technologies Office News
  
  Current Geothermal Technologies Office news.
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• Geothermal Technologies Office Events
  
  Conferences, workshops, webinars and other events related to the Geothermal Technologies Office.
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Plans

Strategic Plans

• Geothermal Tomorrow 2008
  
  Contributors from the Geothermal Technologies Program and the geothermal community highlight the current status and activities of the Program and the development of the global resource of geothermal energy.
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Technology Roadmaps

• A Roadmap for Strategic Development of Geothermal Exploration Technologies
  
  Characterizing productive geothermal systems is challenging yet critical to identify and develop an estimated 30 gigawatts electric (GWe) of undiscovered hydrothermal resources in the western U.S. This paper, undertaken by the U.S. Department of Ener
  Characterizing productive geothermal systems is challenging yet critical to identify and develop an estimated 30 gigawatts electric (GWe) of undiscovered hydrothermal resources in the western U.S. This paper, undertaken by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), summarizes needs and technical pathways that target the key geothermal signatures of temperature, permeability, and fluid content, and develops the time evolution of these pathways, tying in past and current GTO exploration Research and Development (R&D) projects. Beginning on a five-year timescale and projecting out to 2030, the paper assesses technologies that could accelerate the confirmation of 30 GWe. The resulting structure forms the basis for a Geothermal Exploration Technologies Roadmap, a strategic development plan to help guide GTO R&D investments that will lower the risk and cost of geothermal prospect identification. This roadmap is currently open for public comment. Send your comments to geothermal@ee.doe.gov.

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• A Technology Roadmap for Strategic Development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems
  
  Realization of EGS development would make geothermal a significant contender in the renewable energy portfolio, on the order of 100+ GWe in the United States alone. While up to 90% of the geothermal power resource in the United States is thought to r
  Realization of EGS development would make geothermal a significant contender in the renewable energy portfolio, on the order of 100+ GWe in the United States alone. While up to 90% of the geothermal power resource in the United States is thought to reside in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), hurdles to commercial development still remain. The Geothermal Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), began in 2011 to outline opportunities for advancing EGS technologies on five- to 20-year timescales, with community input on the underlying technology needs that will guide research and ultimately determine commercial success for EGS. This report traces DOE's research investments, past and present, and ties them to these technology needs, forming the basis for an EGS Technology Roadmap to help guide future DOE research. This roadmap is currently open for public comment. Send your comments to geothermal@ee.doe.gov.

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• Protocol for Addressing Induced Seismicity Associated with Enhanced Geothermal Systems
  
  This Protocol is a living guidance document for geothermal developers, public officials, regulators and the general public that provides a set of general guidelines detailing useful steps to evaluate and manage the effects of induced seismicity relat
  This Protocol is a living guidance document for geothermal developers, public officials, regulators and the general public that provides a set of general guidelines detailing useful steps to evaluate and manage the effects of induced seismicity related to EGS projects.

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• Exploration Technologies - Technology Needs Assessment
  
  This assessment is a critical component of ongoing technology roadmapping efforts, and will be used to guide the Geothermal Technology Program's research and development.
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• Ground‐Source Heat Pumps: Overview of Market Status, Barriers to Adoption, and Options for Overcoming Barriers
  
  February 2009 final report submitted to DOE by Navigant Consulting, Inc. This report summarizes the status of ground‐source heat pump (GSHP) technology and market penetration globally, estimates the energy saving potential of GSHPs in the U.S., iden
  February 2009 final report submitted to DOE by Navigant Consulting, Inc. This report summarizes the status of ground‐source heat pump (GSHP) technology and market penetration globally, estimates the energy saving potential of GSHPs in the U.S., identifies key market barriers that are inhibiting wider market adoption of GSHPs, and recommends initiatives that can be implemented or facilitated by the DOE to accelerate market adoption.

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Multiyear Program Plans

• Geothermal Technologies Program Multi-Year Research, Development and Demonstration Plan
  
  This 2008 Multi-Year Research, Development, and Demonstration Program Plan covers the 2009-2015 period with program activities to 2025.
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Office Budgets

• Geothermal Technologies FY14 Budget-at-a-Glance
  
  This two-pager includes a FY12-FY14 budget summary, FY14 priorities, and key accomplishments.
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• Geothermal Technologies Program Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Request Presentation
  
  Geothermal Technologies Program fiscal year 2103 budget request presentation by Doug Hollett, Program Manager.
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• Geothermal Technologies Program Budget History
  
  This short slide presentation includes two charts with Geothermal Technologies Program funding data from 2000 to 2010.
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• Geothermal Technologies Program FY 2012 Budget Request Briefing
  
  Geothermal Technologies Program fiscal year 2012 budget request PowerPoint presentation, March 8, 2011.
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• DOE FY 2012 Congressional Budget Request
  
  The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) requests $3.2 billion in FY 2012.
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Analysis (Risk, Benefit, Portfolio)

• Preliminary Technical Risk Analysis for the Geothermal Technologies Program
  
  This report explains the goals, methods, and results of a probabilistic analysis of technical risk for a portfolio of R&D projects in the DOE Geothermal Technologies Program (The Program). The analysis is a task by Princeton Energy Resources Internat
  This report explains the goals, methods, and results of a probabilistic analysis of technical risk for a portfolio of R&D projects in the DOE Geothermal Technologies Program (The Program). The analysis is a task by Princeton Energy Resources International, LLC, in support of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on behalf of the Program. The main challenge in the analysis lies in translating R&D results to a quantitative reflection of technical risk for a key Program metric: levelized cost of energy (LCOE).

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• Department of Energy--Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Geothermal Program: Geothermal Risk Mitigation Strategies Report
  
  An overview of general financial issues for renewable energy investments; geothermal energy investment barriers and risks; and recommendations for incentives and instruments to be considered to stimulate investment in geothermal energy development.
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• 2008 Geothermal Technologies Market Report
  
  This report describes market-wide trends for the geothermal industry throughout 2008 and the beginning of 2009. It begins with an overview of the GTP’s involvement with the geothermal industry and recent investment trends for electric generation tech
  This report describes market-wide trends for the geothermal industry throughout 2008 and the beginning of 2009. It begins with an overview of the GTP’s involvement with the geothermal industry and recent investment trends for electric generation technologies. The report next describes the current state of geothermal power generation and activity within the United States, costs associated with development, financing trends, an analysis of the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and a look at the current policy environment. The report also highlights trends regarding direct use of geothermal energy, including GHPs.† The final sections of the report focus on international perspectives, employment and economic benefits from geothermal energy development, and potential incentives in pending national legislation.

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Implementation

Systems Engineering

• Geothermal Technologies Program Multi-Year Research, Development and Demonstration Plan
  
  This 2008 Multi-Year Research, Development, and Demonstration Program Plan covers the 2009-2015 period with program activities to 2025.
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Technology Evaluations

• Assessment of Geothermal Data Resources and Requirements
  
  This paper is a review of Geothermal Technologies Program activities and archives related to data collection and analysis. It includes an assessment of the current state of geothermal data, future program and stakeholder data needs, existence of and
  This paper is a review of Geothermal Technologies Program activities and archives related to data collection and analysis. It includes an assessment of the current state of geothermal data, future program and stakeholder data needs, existence of and access to critical data, and high-level direction and prioritization of next steps to meet the Program’s data needs.

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• An Evaluation of Enhanced Geothermal Systems Technology
  
  This 2008 document presents the results of an eight-month study by the Department of Energy (DOE) and its support staff at the national laboratories concerning the technological requirements to commercialize a new geothermal technology, Enhanced Geot
  This 2008 document presents the results of an eight-month study by the Department of Energy (DOE) and its support staff at the national laboratories concerning the technological requirements to commercialize a new geothermal technology, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).

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• Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Well Construction Technology Evaluation Report
  
  This report provides an assessment of well construction technology for EGS with two primary objectives: 1. Determining the ability of existing technologies to develop EGS wells. 2. Identifying critical well construction research lines and developme
  This report provides an assessment of well construction technology for EGS with two primary objectives: 1. Determining the ability of existing technologies to develop EGS wells. 2. Identifying critical well construction research lines and development technologies that are likely to enhance prospects for EGS viability and improve overall economics.

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Deployment and Diffusion

• Federal Interagency Geothermal Activities
  
  This collaborative document describes the roles and responsibilities of key Federal agencies in the development of geothermal technologies including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE); the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the U.S. Fo
  This collaborative document describes the roles and responsibilities of key Federal agencies in the development of geothermal technologies including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE); the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the U.S. Forest Service; the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), including the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and the Department of Defense (DOD).

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In-Progress Peer Reviews and Process Assessments

• Geothermal Technologies Office 2012 Peer Review Report
  
  On May 7-10, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Geothermal Technologies Office conducted its annual program peer review in Westminster, CO. In accordance with the EERE Peer Review Guide, the review
  On May 7-10, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Geothermal Technologies Office conducted its annual program peer review in Westminster, CO. In accordance with the EERE Peer Review Guide, the review provides an independent, expert evaluation of the strategic goals and direction of the office and is a forum for feedback and recommendations on future office planning. The purpose of the review was to evaluate DOE-funded projects for their contribution to the mission and goals of the office and to assess progress made against stated objectives. Project scoring results, expert reviewer comments, and key findings and recommendations are included in this report.

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• Geothermal Technologies Program 2012 Peer Review Presentation by Doug Hollett
  
  Geothermal Technologies Program 2012 Peer Review slide presentation by Doug Hollett, Program Manager, on May 7, 2012.
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• Geothermal Technologies Program 2011 Peer Review Report
  
  On June 6-10, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP or the Program) conducted its annual program peer review in Bethesda, Maryland. In accordance with
  On June 6-10, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP or the Program) conducted its annual program peer review in Bethesda, Maryland. In accordance with the EERE Peer Review Guide, the review provides an independent, expert evaluation of the strategic goals and direction of the program and is a forum for feedback and recommendations on future program planning. The purpose of the review was to evaluate DOE-funded projects for their contribution to the mission and goals of the Program and to assess progress made against stated objectives.

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• Geothermal Technologies Program Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendations
  
  The Geothermal Technologies Program assembled a geothermal Blue Ribbon Panel on March 22-23, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a guided discussion on the future of geothermal energy in the United States and the role of the DOE Program. The Geotherm
  The Geothermal Technologies Program assembled a geothermal Blue Ribbon Panel on March 22-23, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a guided discussion on the future of geothermal energy in the United States and the role of the DOE Program. The Geothermal Blue Ribbon Panel Report captures the discussions and recommendations of the experts. An addendum is available here: http://www.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/pdfs/gtp_blue_ribbon_panel_report_addendum10-2011.pdf

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Internal Controls, Project Tracking, and Progress Reports

• What is the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS)? Fact Sheet
  
  Overview of the National Geothermal Data System, a distributed, interoperable network of data repositories and state geological service providers from across the U.S. and the nation's leading academic geothermal centers.
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Results

Summary

• Geothermal Technologies Office Annual Report 2012
  
  This annual report for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office highlights program areas, special projects, and accomplishments in 2012.
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Commercial Outcomes

• Development of a High-Temperature Diagnostics-While-Drilling Tool
  
  This report documents work performed in the second phase of the Diagnostics While-Drilling (DWD) project in which a high-temperature (HT) version of the phase 1 low-temperature (LT) proof-of-concept (POC) DWD tool was built and tested. Descriptions o
  This report documents work performed in the second phase of the Diagnostics While-Drilling (DWD) project in which a high-temperature (HT) version of the phase 1 low-temperature (LT) proof-of-concept (POC) DWD tool was built and tested. Descriptions of the design, fabrication and field testing of the HT tool are provided.

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