Geothermal Tomorrow: Work of the Department of Energy and the Geothermal Technologies Program, National Laboratory, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), Price, Financing, Utilities, State Policies

This Department of Energy (DOE) report on geothermal power technologies has been converted for accurate flowing-text ebook format reproduction. The U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Program is committed to supporting the geothermal industry with research and development to help geothermal energy fulfill its potential. This publication brings together contributors from the Program and the geothermal community to highlight the current status and activities around the growth of this global resource.

Contents: Enhanced Geothermal Systems: A New Strategy for a Renewed Program * Geothermal Technologies Program Activities at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory * Geothermal Research and Development Activities at Sandia National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory * The Price of Geothermal Power * Financing Geothermal Projects * International Geothermal Efforts - 2008 * State Policies Provide Critical Support for Renewable Electricity

Geothermal power is a renewable, low-carbon option for producing base load electricity across the United States. Improved technologies have the potential to access vast untapped geothermal energy sources, which experts estimate to contain 50,000 times the energy of all oil and gas resources in the world. Increased development of geothermal energy can help address the critical issues of global warming, pollution, and energy . independence, as well as give people better control of their local energy resources and a secure, safe, domestic source of energy.

The U.S. geothermal industry leads the world in online capacity of geothermal energy. The potential for growth is substantial, with the international market for geothermal power possibly exceeding $25 billion over the next 10 to 15 years. Currently, U.S. technology and industry are at the leading edge of this international growth.

Many technical challenges, however, must still be addressed and resolved if the United States is to unlock the full potential of geothermal geothermal energy. Achieving next-generation power requires advances in basic science and applied technology, with a strong focus on developing enhanced geothermal systems that can expand the available resource base and strengthen the economic viability of production.