Elite Science Group Sees 5-10 GWe from EGS in USA in the Next Decade
A nationally renowned science group concludes that there is a bright future for Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) development if the technology overcomes some initial hurdles.
At the Stanford Geothermal Workshop this morning, representatives from the elite JASON group presented a Review of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (PDF).
The report concludes that near-term (perhaps 5-10 year) geothermal potential, including from sites developed through enhanced geothermal systems, can contribute an additional 5-10 GWe for the U.S., with a larger potential once this success is achieved.
However, there are uncertainties with the new technology including the cost of drilling, the nature of the subsurface flow network, the thermal drawdown reducing both thermal power and Carnot efficiency of EGS over time, water availability and of course the issue of induced seismicity associated directly with geothermal operations.
JASON Review of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (PDF)