Hot dry rock geothermal prospects, 1981
The hot dry rock (HDR) site selection and resource evaluation team has been assessing roughly 24 sites within the USA as candidates for development of a second HDR geothermal system. Potential sites examined fall broadly into three categories according to the nature of their thermal anomalies: (1) Quaternary magmahydrothermal (volcanic or igneous) systems such as The Geysers-Clear Lake region, California; (2) regional thermal anomalies of tectonic origin such as the Basin and Range Province of the Southwest; and (3) pre-Quaternary plutonic and metamorphic complexes such as the Conway Granite, New Hampshire. Although sites with both electrical generation and direct use potential have been considered, efforts were concentrated on electrical sites. Criteria for a successful HDR electrical generation site utilizing current technology require temperatures greater than or equal to 200/sup 0/C, depths less than or equal to 5/km, and impermeable reservoir rocks. Sites with these characteristics only exist in the western USA. The significance of other criteria such as environmental issues, water rights, public visability, and pre-existing power networks have not yet been evaluated.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6073392
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-81-1807; CONF-811015-8; ON: DE81025305
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Geothermal Resources Council annual meeting, Houston, TX, USA, 25 Oct 1981
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
HOT-DRY-ROCK SYSTEMS
SITE SELECTION
USA
CALIFORNIA
DEPTH
EVALUATION
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
IDAHO
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
UTAH
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
WESTERN REGION
Geothermal Legacy
150301* - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys