Sec. 2544. Enhanced geothermal systems research and development
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Section 615 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17194 ) is amended to read as follows: The Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for enhanced geothermal systems, including the programs described in subsection (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— reservoir stimulation; drilled, non-stimulated (e.g. closed-loop) reservoir technologies; reservoir characterization, monitoring, and modeling and understanding of the surface area and volume of fractures; stress and fracture mapping including real time monitoring and modeling; tracer development; three and four-dimensional seismic imaging and tomography; well placement and orientation; long-term reservoir management; drilling technologies, methods, and tools; improved exploration tools; zonal isolation; and understanding induced seismicity risks from reservoir engineering and stimulation.
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. The Secretary shall— award grants in support of research and development projects focused on advanced monitoring technologies, new technologies and approaches for implementing multi-zone stimulations, nonstimulation techniques, and dynamic reservoir modeling that incorporates all available high-fidelity characterization data; and 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.
Of the FORGE sites referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 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; and prioritize existing field sites and facilities with capabilities relevant to the duties enumerated under this subsection.
A FORGE site already in existence on the date of enactment of this Act may continue to receive support. Out of funds authorized to be appropriated under section 623, there shall be made available to the Secretary to carry out the FORGE activities under this paragraph— $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2025. In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consider the balance between funds dedicated to construction and operations and research activities to reflect the state of site development.
Beginning on the date of enactment of this section, 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. Under the initiative described in paragraph (1), demonstration projects shall be carried out in locations that are commercially viable for enhanced geothermal systems development, while also considering environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Secretary.
Demonstration projects under subparagraph
(A)shall— collectively demonstrate— different geologic settings, such as hot sedimentary aquifers, layered geologic systems, supercritical systems, and basement rock systems; and a variety of development techniques, including open hole and cased hole completions, differing well orientations, and stimulation and nonstimulation mechanisms; and to the extent practicable, use existing sites where subsurface characterization or geothermal energy integration analysis has been conducted. Not fewer than 1 of the demonstration projects carried out under subparagraph
(A)shall be located an area east of the Mississippi that is suitable for enhanced geothermal demonstration for power, heat, or a combination of power and heat. .
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Sec. 2544
Enhanced geothermal systems research and development
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