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Below the western United States lies a significant, untapped source of clean energy. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), this potential is substantial.
This research is part of a long-term initiative to chart the nation’s geothermal capabilities, particularly focusing on the expansive basin regions that encompass Nevada, Utah, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming.
USGS projects that these geologically active states hold the potential to generate reliable and consistent geothermal energy of up to 135 gigawatts, provided new technologies can harness this underground resource. To put this in perspective, the typical U.S. household consumes about 1 kilowatt of electricity continuously, meaning that 135 gigawatts can fulfill the stable energy demands of nearly 135 million homes.
“The evaluation of USGS energy resources is geared towards the future,” stated Dr. Sarah Ryker, the acting director of USGS. “We emphasize undiscovered resources that have yet to be fully explored and developed, starting our work in the Great Basin due to its geothermal activity history.”
Currently, geothermal energy comprises less than 1% of the electricity in the U.S., predominantly sourced from conventional hydrothermal systems, where naturally heated water rises through permeable rocks.
Nonetheless, USGS findings suggest a much richer energy reservoir exists. This indicates that heat is trapped in dense, impermeable rock formations buried deep underground.
To access these “enhanced geothermal systems” (EGS), engineers must drill deeper, sometimes reaching depths over 6 km (3.7 miles), fracturing the rock to allow water to circulate and capture heat.
This heated water can then be raised back to the surface to produce electricity, offering a constant, weather-independent energy source.
To estimate the potential energy available, USGS researchers have combined underground temperature maps, heat flow data, and sophisticated techniques for measuring extraction efficiency and energy conversion. They collaborated with the US Department of Energy (DOE), state geological surveys, and academic institutions nationwide.
Dr. Ryker stressed that this research offers a multitude of benefits beyond just energy generation. “Natural resources play a vital role in sustaining the national economy, and historically, we have advanced the technology for mapping and characterizing these resources.”
However, advancing EGS technology presents substantial challenges. Although pilot projects have shown promise within the Great Basin, commercial-scale fortified geothermal plants are not yet operational in the U.S.
One of the primary hurdles is cost, which the U.S. Department of Energy aims to address through the Enhanced Geothermal Shot™, a program targeting a 90% reduction in technological costs by 2035.
The USGS’s efforts are not limited to the Great Basin. The agency plans to shift its focus to the Williston Basin in North Dakota, another region that may hold geothermal potential.
Should these efforts succeed, geothermal energy could emerge as a crucial component of America’s low-carbon future.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
