Beneath the surface of the Earth, geothermal energy is waiting to be tapped. Understanding where the most promising areas are for geothermal energy is critical for communities to access its potential as an energy resource. Initial investments into geothermal project development can be a barrier, but smart, integrated approaches to geothermal assessment can reduce the risks of investing in new developments and accelerate adoption of geothermal technologies.

That’s why researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are helping domestic public utilities, municipalities, tribes, and other stakeholders understand the geothermal potential that exists in the land around them. PNNL’s approach starts with determining what relevant data already exist, what stakeholders can learn from the existing data, and what gaps in the data need to be filled to better determine whether a viable resource is present. The team can then advise on a path forward to set the community up for success.

“We’re trying to take an approach that’s cost effective, but that can have a big impact,” said Paul Schwering, a leading PNNL expert on assessing geothermal energy resources in the Western United States. “The best data to start with are the data that already exist.”

After compiling the existing data and identifying potential gaps, the team performs a prefeasibility resource assessment. This assessment helps determine whether to move forward with geothermal energy exploration or conduct more analysis work with the existing data.

One route for local stakeholders interested in geothermal prefeasibility analysis is the Department of Energy’s Energy to Communities (E2C) expert match program, a multi-lab technical assistance opportunity that pairs communities with national laboratory experts to provide “free, short-term technical assistance to address near-term energy challenges and questions." 

Through E2C, the PNNL team collaborated with the Lewis County (WA) Public Utility District (LCPUD) to explore geothermal possibilities—one of only a few geothermal-related applications to E2C. In their application, LCPUD expressed interest in learning about local geothermal resources with potential to provide cost-effective power.

“The primary goal is to de-risk geothermal investments,” said Schwering. “We want to do an analysis that’s cost effective and paint enough of a picture to help highlight where you’re most likely to find geothermal resources.”

LCPUD’s E2C project with PNNL resulted in a report detailing the existing datasets available and suitable for assessing geothermal resource potential in Lewis County. The work has now expanded into a larger technical assistance project beyond E2C in which the data are being analyzed. The team previously compiled multiple types and sources of data, including hydrothermal, geological, geophysical, and land ownership/access data. They then analyzed and integrated multiple publicly accessible datasets, originally gathered for a wide variety of purposes, to develop an initial framework for understanding the relevant subsurface opportunities and limitations.

The team identified gaps, in both coverage and scale, where more or different types of data were needed to inform LCPUD’s decisions about geothermal energy development opportunities. This type of information can enable partners to flag essential data that should be collected, focusing efforts to maximize the efficiency of future field studies. 

The collaboration with LCPUD highlights how PNNL’s exploratory approach can be practically applied for value-added, real-world scenarios and data. By providing existing data and identifying remaining gaps, this type of work can help inform feasibility scenario analyses for geothermal use, as multiple scenarios may be possible.

“By providing technical assistance and expertise on geothermal energy directly to cities, utilities, and industry partners, PNNL is supplying necessary information to inform critical energy decisions and help leverage the incredible geothermal resource potential of the United States to meet energy needs,” said Jana Simo, geothermal energy program lead at PNNL. “We’re connecting surface energy needs and infrastructure with subsurface resources and technologies.”

Read more about PNNL’s other expert match projects through E2C.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.