Geothermal Potential of Deep Sedimentary Basins in the United States

摘要

Geothermal energy development has a promising future as part of a broad energy supply mix to meet growing demand in the United States and globally. Currently developed hydrothermal systems are a significant energy source, but these systems have limited geographic extent. Research is underway, including ongoing pilot projects, to evaluate the potential for EGS, or Engineered Geothermal Systems, to drill into hot crystalline rock and create fractured reservoirs suitable for water injection and production cycles. However, a challenge to the economics of these systems is the drilling and fracturing cost.