California Coast Ranges

Potential for "Enhanced Geothermal Systems" In The Western United States

Basic Information
Author: 
Sass, J.H.
Author: 
Robertson-Tait, Ann
Description: 
Most presently active or contemplated hot dry rock (HDR) projects vary significantly from the original HDR concept of creating an engineered reservoir in an effectively impermeable medium. Instead, they form part of a spectrum of geothermal resources that exhibit less-than-commercial productivity, but are not completely impermeable. A new working definition, "Enhanced Geothermal Systems" (EGS), is now being used to describe all but the high-grade hydrothermal portion of the geothermal resource spectrum. To promote the commercial development of these lower permeability and/or fluid-deficient resources, EGS research and development in the U.S. during the next few years is likely to include field experiments that target hot, low permeability zones within or near the margins of commercially developed hydrothermal systems. These systems are located in areas of elevated regional heat flow (Cascade Range, Basin and Range Province, Salton Trough, California Coast Ranges and Rio Grande Rift Zone), where temperatures of 250°C can be reached at depths of 4 km or less. Potential sites for EGS experiments were identified with the objective of yielding immediate benefits to the geothermal industry while also contributing to the commercial development of an incrementally broader range of geothermal resources.
Publication Date: 
Thursday, January 1, 1998
Resource Language: 
English
Intelectual Originator Contact
Organization Name: 
GeothermEx, Inc.
Street Address: 
3260 Blume Drive,Suite 220
City: 
Richmond
State/Province: 
CA
Postal Code: 
94806
Country: 
United States
Phone: 
510-527-9876
Fax: 
510-527-8164
Resource Information
Access Statement: 
Abstract available online at http://www.geothermex.com/files/Robertson-Tait_1998-1.pdf For a copy of this paper please e-mail us at mw@geothermex.com
Resource Distribution Contact
Organization Name: 
GeothermEx, Inc.
Street Address: 
3260 Blume Drive,Suite 220
City: 
Richmond
State/Province: 
CA
Postal Code: 
94806
Country: 
United States
Phone: 
510-527-9876
Fax: 
510-527-8164
Geographic Extent
North bounding latitude: 
38.9106
South bounding latitude: 
34.6901
West bounding longitude: 
-123.047
East bounding longitude: 
-116.719
Previous Citation
Bibliographic Citation: 
John H. Sass and Ann Robertson-Tait, 1998. POTENTIAL FOR "ENHANCED GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS" IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. GeothermEx, Inc.,Richmond, California. U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Arizona
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