Enhanced Geothermal Systems: Are We There Yet?

Geothermal energy has undergone a renaissance over the past 15 years, as many new technologies and new countries have joined the industry. Climate change concerns have focused attention on renewable energy, supported by a global ambition to address greenhouse gas reduction. Geothermal developments have accelerated in many parts of the world, both in countries (such as Turkey, Indonesia, Kenya, New Zealand, and the US) that have a traditional interest in "conventional" geothermal resources, as well as countries without a historical community in geothermal energy (such as France and Germany). Some new developments have followed well-worn paths using conventional hydrothermal resources in volcanic regions, while others have struck out in new directions in Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) projects in nonvolcanic regions. Technology has allowed for developments of conventional resources with lower temperature, restricted water access, and constrained surface utilization. EGS projects have launched in a variety of different directions and places. The use of innovative hybrid plants, lower resource temperatures and enhanced reservoir stimulation has made geothermal energy accessible in a much wider variety of places.

Speaker: Roland Horne, Stanford University