42 USC 17194 - Enhanced geothermal systems research and development

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 16, 2024

§ 17194.

Enhanced geothermal systems research and development

(a)

In general

(b)

Enhanced geothermal systems technologies

In collaboration with industry partners, institutions of higher education, and the national laboratories, the Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of the technologies to achieve higher efficiency and lower cost enhanced geothermal systems, including—

(1)

reservoir stimulation;

(2)

drilled, non-stimulated (e.g. closed-loop) reservoir technologies;

(3)

reservoir characterization, monitoring, and modeling and understanding of the surface area and volume of fractures;

(4)

stress and fracture mapping including real time monitoring and modeling;

(5)

tracer development;

(6)

three and four-dimensional seismic imaging and tomography;

(7)

well placement and orientation;

(8)

long-term reservoir management;

(9)

drilling technologies, methods, and tools;

(10)

improved exploration tools;

(11)

zonal isolation; and

(12)

understanding induced seismicity risks from reservoir engineering and stimulation.

(c)

Frontier observatory for research in geothermal energy

(1)

In general

(2)

Duties

The Secretary shall—

(A)

provide financial assistance in support of research and development projects focused on advanced monitoring technologies, new technologies and approaches for implementing multi-zone stimulations, nonstimulation techniques, and dynamic reservoir modeling that incorporates all available high-fidelity characterization data; and

(B)

seek opportunities to coordinate efforts and share information with domestic and international partners engaged in research and development of geothermal systems and related technology, including coordination between FORGE sites.

(3)

Site selection

Of the FORGE sites referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A)

consider applications through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, from National Laboratories, multi-institutional collaborations, institutes of higher education and other appropriate entities best suited to provide national leadership on geothermal related issues and perform the duties enumerated under this subsection;

(B)

prioritize existing field sites and facilities with capabilities relevant to the duties enumerated under this subsection;

(C)

determine the mission need for and potential location of subsequent FORGE sites following the completion of construction and one year of operation of two FORGE sites; and

(D)

ensure geologic diversity among FORGE sites when developing subsequent sites, to the maximum extent practicable.

(4)

Existing forge sites

(5)

Site operation

(A)

Initial duration

(B)

Performance metrics

(6)

Additional terms

(A)

In general

At the end of an operational term described in subparagraph (B), a FORGE site may—

(i)

be transferred to other public or private entities for further enhanced geothermal testing; or

(ii)

subject to appropriations and a merit review by the Secretary, operate for an additional term of not more than 7 years.

(B)

Operational term described

An operational term referred to in subparagraph (A)—

(i)

in the case of an existing FORGE site, is the existing operational term; and

(ii)

in the case of new FORGE sites selected under paragraph (3), is the initial term under paragraph (5)(A) or an additional term under subparagraph (A)(ii) of this paragraph.

(7)

Funding

(A)

In general

Out of funds authorized to be appropriated under section 17202 of this title, there shall be made available to the Secretary to carry out the FORGE activities under this paragraph—

(i)

$45,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;

(ii)

$55,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;

(iii)

$65,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;

(iv)

$70,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and

(v)

$70,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.

(B)

Considerations

(d)

Enhanced geothermal systems demonstrations

(1)

In general

(2)

Projects

(A)

In general

(B)

Requirements

Demonstration projects under subparagraph (A) shall—

(i)

collectively demonstrate—

(I)

different geologic settings, such as hot sedimentary aquifers, layered geologic systems, supercritical systems, and basement rock systems; and

(II)

a variety of development techniques, including open hole and cased hole completions, differing well orientations, and stimulation and nonstimulation mechanisms; and

(ii)

to the extent practicable, use existing sites where subsurface characterization or geothermal energy integration analysis has been conducted.

(C)

Eastern demonstration

(D)

Milestone-based demonstration projects

(3)

Funding

(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 615, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1680; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(d), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2489.)

cite as: 42 USC 17194