Energy Resources Program Research Area:
Geothermal Energy Exploration and Development
There are two main objectives of the Energy Resources Program’s geothermal energy development research:
- To reduce uncertainties associated with finding, characterizing, and evaluating geothermal resources, and
- To develop and understand the enhancement of permeability and fluid flow to significantly increase production, i.e., Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).
The ultimate purpose is to lower the cost of geothermal energy for electric power generation and direct uses (e.g., agricultural and industrial applications, aquaculture). The program encompasses theoretical, laboratory, and field studies, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches to solving the problems at hand. Our researchers seek to transform fundamental scientific concepts, derived through our basic research studies, into tangible products that can be directly applied by the geothermal industry worldwide.