The Geothermal Prospector mapping tool — an excellent data resource for visual exploration of geothermal energy systems — will be featured in May at this year's Geothermal Technologies Office Peer Review.

In 2010, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed this web-based geographic information system (GIS) application to support resource assessment and data exploration for the Energy's Department. Prospector supplies the information needed to allow users to target favorable locations in the subsurface for geothermal energy development. The application uses the OpenCarto web-based GIS framework, which supports applications in all areas of renewable energy that leverage both internal and external data services to visualize and query data. 

All data created by NREL and served through the Geothermal Prospector is compatible with the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS), which aims to increase the likelihood of success in geothermal development by providing comprehensive data from a wide variety of sources and using standard data provision formats. A dedicated node on the system – the DOE Geothermal Data Repository – also collects data from all DOE-funded projects in the geothermal sector.

The Geothermal Prospector has many practical uses for researchers and developers:

1.  Investigate locations of all current hydrothermal plants and zoom in on one of specific interest 2.  Use satellite-view to see the actual footprint of power plants and their surrounding well pads 3.  View a layer for all restrictions to see what surrounding lands are restricted from development 4.  Access a surface ownership layer and BLM lease layer to see land ownership, existing leases, and clues about the level of exploration that has occurred 5.  Apply the USGS undiscovered hydrothermal favorability map to view any promising areas and display wells for depth and temperature data, hot spots, and opportunities 6.  Activate the Deep EGS potential layer for further investigation 7.  Share data with partners, investors, and researcher 8.  Add external data sources of interest 9.  Investigate further exploration data in the area

Learn more about Energy Department initiatives in geothermal energy here.