History of Geothermal Energy Research and Development in the United States: Energy Conversion, 1976-2006

摘要

This report is one of a series issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (the Department) to document the many and varied accomplishments stemming from the government's sponsorship of geothermal research since 1976. The report represents a history of the major research programs and projects that have had a lasting impact on the use of geothermal energy in the United States and those that promise to have an impact. We have not attempted to write the definitive history of the Geothermal Technologies Program and the $1.3 billion that were expended through 2006 on geothermal research. Rather, we have brought together the collective memories of those who participated in the program to highlight advances that the participants deem worthy of special recognition. In particular, this report examines the work done in one key area of geothermal technology development: Energy Conversion. Companion reports cover work in other areas, including Drilling, Exploration, and Reservoir Engineering. The history focuses on the period from 1976 to 2006, when the Department was the lead agency for geothermal technology research as mandated by the Geothermal Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976. The earlier groundbreaking work by precursor agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, Atomic Energy Commission, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Energy Research and Development Administration, is cited as appropriate but is by no means complete.