Hot dry rock geothermal energy development program. Semiannual report, October 1, 1978-March 31, 1979

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5923899· OSTI ID:5923899

Brown, M C; Nunz, G J; Cremer, G M; Smith, M C

The potential of energy extracted from hot dry rock (HDR) was investigated as a commercailly feasible alternate energy source. Run Segments 3 and 4 were completed in the prototype reservoir of the Phase I energy-extraction system at Fenton Hill, New Mexico. Results of these tests yielded significant data on the existing system and this information will be applicable to future HDR systems. Plans and operations initiating a Phase II system are underway at the Fenton Hill site. This system, a deeper, hotter commercial-size reservoir, is intended to demonstrate the longevity and economics of an HDR system. Major activity occurred in evaluation of the national resource potential and in characterizing possible future HDR geothermal sites. Work has begun in the institutional and industrial support area to assess the economics and promote commercial interest in HDR systems as an alternate energy source.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5923899
• Report Number(s): LA-7959-HDR
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
HOT-DRY-ROCK SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
HEAT EXTRACTION
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MANAGEMENT
NEW MEXICO
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
SITE SELECTION
WELL LOGGING
CHEMISTRY
DRILLING
ENGINEERING
EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
NORTH AMERICA
SOUTHWEST REGION
USA
Geothermal Legacy
150300* - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology