To better isolate potential geothermal resources that lack surface manifestations, EERE partnered with the Colorado School of Mines to advance resource discovery. The university developed a method to comprehensively target geothermal drilling by combining geophysical data sets to generate more complete images of the subsurface and fluid flow within geothermal systems. The Colorado School of Mines is also developing geochemical exploration tools that enable the cost-effective discovery and management of geothermal resources specific to the Great Basin, a watershed that stretches across California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming.

Positive Impact

To accelerate exploration of subsurface energy reserves, the Colorado School of Mines has effectively combined geophysical datasets to create 3D modeling that targets geothermal resources.

Locations

Colorado

Partners

Colorado School of Mines 

EERE Investment

$1.6 million

Clean Energy Sector

Renewable electricity generation

The Geothermal Technologies Office researches, develops, and validates innovative and cost-competitive technologies and tools to locate, access, and develop geothermal resources in the United States.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.