§17191. Definitions — Inbound Citations
42 U.S.C. § 17191
Cited by 66 provisions in release 119-102.
Citations to 42 U.S.C. § 17191 as a whole
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(a) In this section, the term “enhanced geothermal systems” has the meaning given the term in section 17191 of title 42.
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(A) property designed to be used to produce energy from the sun, water, wind, geothermal or hydrothermal (as those terms are defined in section 17191 of this title) resources, enhanced geothermal systems (as defined in that section), or other renewable resources;
Citations to §17191(1)
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(3) The term “engineered hazard” includes the location and completion history of any well that could affect potential sequestration.
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(4) The term “risk” includes any risk posed by geomechanical, geochemical, hydrogeological, structural, and engineered hazards.
Citations to §17191(3)
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(a) The Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for enhanced geothermal systems, including the programs described in subsection (b).
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(b) In collaboration with industry partners, institutions of higher education, and the national laboratories, the Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of the technologies to achieve higher efficiency and lower cost enhanced geothermal systems, including—(1) reservoir stimulation;(2) drilled, non-stimulated (e.g. closed-loop) reservoir technologies;(3) reservoir characterization, monitoring, and modeling and understanding of the surface area and volume of fractures;(4) stress and fracture mapping including real time monitoring and modeling;(5) tracer development;(6) three and four-dimensional seismic imaging and tomography;(7) well placement and orientation;(8) long-term reservoir management;(9) drilling technologies, methods, and tools;(10) improved exploration tools;(11) zonal isolation; and(12) understanding induced seismicity risks from reservoir engineering and stimulation.
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(1) Beginning on December 27, 2020, the Secretary, in collaboration with industry partners, institutions of higher education, and the national laboratories, shall support an initiative for demonstration of enhanced geothermal systems for power production or direct use.
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(A) Under the initiative described in paragraph (1), 4 demonstration projects shall be carried out in locations that are potentially commercially viable for enhanced geothermal systems development, while also considering environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Secretary.
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(1) Research, development, and demonstration of technologies to develop advanced data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related computing tools to assist in locating geothermal resources, to increase the reliability of site characterization, to increase the rate and efficiency of drilling, to improve induced seismicity mitigation, and to support enhanced geothermal systems technologies.
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(2) Research, development, and demonstration of models of geothermal reservoir performance and enhanced geothermal systems reservoir stimulation technologies and techniques, with an emphasis on accurately modeling fluid and heat flow, permeability evolution, geomechanics, geochemistry, seismicity, and operational performance over time, including collaboration with industry and field validation.
Citations to §17191(5)
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(a) The Secretary shall establish a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to support development of geothermal energy production from oil and gas fields and production and recovery of energy, including electricity, from geopressured resources. In addition, the Secretary shall conduct such supporting activities including research, resource characterization, and technology development as necessary.
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(1) The Secretary shall implement a program to support the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of cost-effective techniques to produce energy from geopressured resources.
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(2) The Secretary shall solicit preliminary engineering designs for geopressured resources production and recovery facilities.
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(4) Based upon a review of the final design plans above, the Secretary shall award cost-shared development and construction grants for demonstration geopressured production facilities that show potential for economic recovery of the heat, kinetic energy and gas resources from geopressured resources.
Citations to §17191(6)
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(C) renewable heat generation technology, including solar and geothermal;
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(a) The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for geothermal energy production from hydrothermal systems.
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(a) The Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of components and systems capable of withstanding geothermal environments and necessary to develop, produce, and monitor geothermal reservoirs and produce geothermal energy.
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(1) support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies and practices designed to mitigate or preclude potential adverse environmental impacts of geothermal energy development, production or use;
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(2) support a research program to identify potential environmental impacts, including induced seismicity, and environmental benefits of geothermal energy development, production, and use, and ensure that the program described in paragraph (1) addresses such impacts, including water use and effects on groundwater and local hydrology;
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(3) support a program of research to compare the potential environmental impacts and environmental benefits identified as part of the development, production, and use of geothermal energy with the potential emission reductions of greenhouse gases gained by geothermal energy development, production, and use; and
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(1) The Secretary shall support an initiative among the Office of Fossil Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the private sector to research, develop, and demonstrate relevant advanced technologies and operation techniques used in the oil and gas sector for use in geothermal energy development.
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(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize technologies with the greatest potential to significantly increase the use and lower the cost of geothermal energy in the United States, including the cost and speed of geothermal drilling surface technologies, large- and small-scale drilling, and well construction.
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(1) The Secretary shall carry out a research and development initiative under which the Secretary shall provide financial assistance to demonstrate the coproduction of critical minerals from geothermal resources.
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(A) improve the cost effectiveness of removing minerals from geothermal brines as part of the coproduction process;
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(f) The Secretary shall support a research initiative on flexible operation of geothermal power plants.
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(g) The Secretary shall identify opportunities for joint research, development, and demonstration programs between geothermal systems and other energy generation or storage systems.
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(1) The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, establish and operate a voluntary, industry-wide repository of geothermal drilling information to lower the cost of future geothermal drilling.
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(A) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall collaborate with countries utilizing a significant amount of geothermal energy, as determined by the Secretary.
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(B) The repository established under paragraph (1) shall be integrated with the National Geothermal Data System.
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(1) The Secretary shall support the establishment and construction of up to 3 field research sites, which shall each be known as a “Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy” or “FORGE” site to develop, test, and enhance techniques and tools for enhanced geothermal energy.
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(B) seek opportunities to coordinate efforts and share information with domestic and international partners engaged in research and development of geothermal systems and related technology, including coordination between FORGE sites.
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(A) consider applications through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, from National Laboratories, multi-institutional collaborations, institutes of higher education and other appropriate entities best suited to provide national leadership on geothermal related issues and perform the duties enumerated under this subsection;
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(i) be transferred to other public or private entities for further enhanced geothermal testing; or
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(ii) to the extent practicable, use existing sites where subsurface characterization or geothermal energy integration analysis has been conducted.
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(C) Not fewer than 1 of the demonstration projects carried out under subparagraph (A) shall be located an area east of the Mississippi River that is suitable for enhanced geothermal demonstration for power, heat, or a combination of power and heat.
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(a) The Secretary shall establish a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to support development of geothermal energy production from oil and gas fields and production and recovery of energy, including electricity, from geopressured resources. In addition, the Secretary shall conduct such supporting activities including research, resource characterization, and technology development as necessary.
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(b) The Secretary shall implement a grant program in support of geothermal energy production from oil and gas fields. The program shall include grants for a total of not less than three demonstration projects of the use of geothermal techniques such as advanced organic rankine cycle systems at marginal, unproductive, and productive oil and gas wells. The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable and in the public interest, make awards that—(1) include not less than five oil or gas well sites per project award;(2) use a range of oil or gas well hot water source temperatures from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 300 degrees Fahrenheit;(3) cover a range of sizes up to one megawatt;(4) are located at a range of sites;(5) can be replicated at a wide range of sites;(6) facilitate identification of optimum techniques among competing alternatives;(7) include business commercialization plans that have the potential for production of equipment at high volumes and operation and support at a large number of sites; and
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(c) Each grant award for demonstration of geothermal technology such as advanced organic rankine cycle systems at oil and gas wells made by the Secretary under subsection (b) shall include—(1) necessary and appropriate site engineering study;(2) detailed economic assessment of site specific conditions;(3) appropriate feasibility studies to determine whether the demonstration can be replicated;(4) design or adaptation of existing technology for site specific circumstances or conditions;(5) installation of equipment, service, and support;(6) operation for a minimum of 1 year and monitoring for the duration of the demonstration; and(7) validation of technical and economic assumptions and documentation of lessons learned.
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(1) to improve the understanding of related earth sciences, components, processes, and systems used for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy; and
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(2) to increase the energy efficiency, lower the cost, increase the use, and improve and demonstrate the effectiveness of geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy.
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(1) The term “direct use of geothermal energy” means geothermal systems that use water directly or through a heat exchanger to provide—(A) heating and cooling to buildings, commercial districts, residential communities, and large municipal, or industrial projects; or(B) heat required for industrial processes, agriculture, aquaculture, and other facilities.
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(1) The Secretary shall support within the Geothermal Technologies Office a program of research, development, and demonstration for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy.
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(A) geothermal ground loop efficiency improvements, cost reductions, and improved installation and operations methods;
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(B) the use of geothermal energy for building-scale energy storage;
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(C) the use of geothermal energy as a grid management resource or seasonal energy storage;
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(H) system integration of direct use with geothermal electricity production.
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(2) In providing financial assistance under this subsection, the Secretary may give priority to proposals that apply to large buildings, commercial districts, and residential communities that are located in economically distressed areas and areas that the Secretary determines to have high economic potential for geothermal district heating based on the report, “Geovision: Harnessing the Heat Beneath our Feet” published by the Department in 2019, or a successor report.
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(c) In carrying out the activities described in this part, the Secretary shall support education and outreach activities to disseminate information on geothermal energy technologies and the geothermal energy workforce, including activities at the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy site or sites.
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(d) In carrying out this part, the Secretary shall also conduct technical assistance and analysis activities with eligible entities for the purpose of supporting the commercial application of advances in geothermal energy systems development and operations, which may include activities that support expanding access to advanced geothermal energy technologies for rural, Tribal, and low-income communities.
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(e) Every 5 years after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate on advanced concepts and technologies to maximize the geothermal resource potential of the United States.
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(a) The Secretary shall carry out a program of research and development of advanced computing and data science tools for geothermal energy.
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(1) Research, development, and demonstration of technologies to develop advanced data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related computing tools to assist in locating geothermal resources, to increase the reliability of site characterization, to increase the rate and efficiency of drilling, to improve induced seismicity mitigation, and to support enhanced geothermal systems technologies.
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(2) Research, development, and demonstration of models of geothermal reservoir performance and enhanced geothermal systems reservoir stimulation technologies and techniques, with an emphasis on accurately modeling fluid and heat flow, permeability evolution, geomechanics, geochemistry, seismicity, and operational performance over time, including collaboration with industry and field validation.
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The Secretary shall support the development of a geothermal energy workforce through a program that—
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(2) prioritizes science in areas relevant to the mission of the Department through the application of geothermal energy tools and technologies.
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(a) The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with other appropriate Federal and multilateral agencies (including the United States Agency for International Development) shall support collaborative efforts with international partners to promote the research, development, and demonstration of geothermal technologies used to develop hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal system resources.
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(c) An eligible entity may use grant funds under this section, with respect to a geothermal energy project in a high-cost region, only—(1) to conduct a feasibility study, including a study of exploration, geochemical testing, geomagnetic surveys, geologic information gathering, baseline environmental studies, well drilling, resource characterization, permitting, and economic analysis;(2) for design and engineering costs, relating to the project; and(3) to demonstrate and promote commercial application of technologies related to geothermal energy as part of the project.
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(3) to demonstrate and promote commercial application of technologies related to geothermal energy as part of the project.
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(2) 1 or more private entities engaged in the manufacturing or development of renewable energy system components (including solar energy, wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy, energy storage, or fuel cells).
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(i) solar, wind, or geothermal energy or ocean energy;
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(1) complete a comprehensive nationwide geothermal resource assessment that examines the full range of geothermal resources in the United States; and
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(E) geothermal energy;
Citations to §17191(7)
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(a) The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for geothermal energy production from hydrothermal systems.
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(1) The research and development of advanced geologic tools to assist in locating hydrothermal resources, and to increase the reliability of site characterization, including the development of new imaging and sensing technologies and techniques to assist in prioritization of targets for characterization;
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(2) The demonstration of advanced technologies and techniques of siting and exploratory drilling for undiscovered resources in a variety of geologic settings, carried out in collaboration with industry partners that will assist in the acquisition of high quality data sets relevant for hydrothermal subsurface characterization activities.
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(a) The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with other appropriate Federal and multilateral agencies (including the United States Agency for International Development) shall support collaborative efforts with international partners to promote the research, development, and demonstration of geothermal technologies used to develop hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal system resources.