1. U.S. Code
  2. title 42
  3. chapter 152
  4. subchapter V
  5. part B
  6. § 17193

Collapse to view only § 17193. General geothermal systems research and development

§ 17191. Definitions
For purposes of this part:
(1) Engineered
When referring to enhanced geothermal systems, the term “engineered” means designed to access subsurface heat, including stimulation and nonstimulation technologies to address one or more of the following issues:
(A) Lack of effective permeability, porosity or open fracture connectivity within the heat reservoir.
(B) Insufficient contained geofluid in the heat reservoir.
(C) A low average geothermal gradient which necessitates deeper drilling, or the use of alternative heat sources or heat generation processes.
(2) Eligible entity
The term “eligible entity” means any of the following entities:
(A) An institution of higher education.
(B) A National laboratory.
(C) A Federal research agency.
(D) A State research agency.
(E) A nonprofit research organization.
(F) An industrial entity.
(G) A consortium of 2 or more entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F).
(3) Enhanced geothermal systems
(4) Geofluid
(5) Geopressured resources
(6) Geothermal
(7) Hydrothermal
(8) Systems approach
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 612, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1679; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2487.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17191

§ 17192. Hydrothermal research and development
(a) In general
(b) Programs
The program authorized in subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) Advanced hydrothermal resource tools
(2) Exploratory drilling for geothermal resources
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 613, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1679; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2487.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17192

§ 17193. General geothermal systems research and development
(a) Subsurface components and systems
(b) Environmental impacts
The Secretary shall—
(1) support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies and practices designed to mitigate or preclude potential adverse environmental impacts of geothermal energy development, production or use;
(2) support a research program to identify potential environmental impacts, including induced seismicity, and environmental benefits of geothermal energy development, production, and use, and ensure that the program described in paragraph (1) addresses such impacts, including water use and effects on groundwater and local hydrology;
(3) support a program of research to compare the potential environmental impacts and environmental benefits identified as part of the development, production, and use of geothermal energy with the potential emission reductions of greenhouse gases gained by geothermal energy development, production, and use; and
(4) in carrying out this section, the Secretary shall,1
1 So in original. The words “The Secretary shall” appear in introductory provisions.
to the maximum extent practicable, consult with relevant federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency.
(c) Reservoir thermal energy storage
(d) Oil and gas technology transfer initiative
(1) In general
(2) Priorities
(e) Coproduction of geothermal energy and minerals production research and development initiative
(1) In general
(2) Requirements
An award made under paragraph (1) shall—
(A) improve the cost effectiveness of removing minerals from geothermal brines as part of the coproduction process;
(B) increase recovery rates of the targeted mineral commodity;
(C) decrease water use and other environmental impacts, as determined by the Secretary; and
(D) demonstrate a path to commercial viability.
(f) Flexible operations
(g) Integrated energy systems
(h) Drilling data repository
(1) In general
(2) Repository
(A) In general
(B) Data system
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 614, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1680; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2488.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17193

§ 17194. Enhanced geothermal systems research and development
(a) In general
(b) Enhanced geothermal systems technologiesIn collaboration with industry partners, institutions of higher education, and the national laboratories, the Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of the technologies to achieve higher efficiency and lower cost enhanced geothermal systems, including—
(1) reservoir stimulation;
(2) drilled, non-stimulated (e.g. closed-loop) reservoir technologies;
(3) reservoir characterization, monitoring, and modeling and understanding of the surface area and volume of fractures;
(4) stress and fracture mapping including real time monitoring and modeling;
(5) tracer development;
(6) three and four-dimensional seismic imaging and tomography;
(7) well placement and orientation;
(8) long-term reservoir management;
(9) drilling technologies, methods, and tools;
(10) improved exploration tools;
(11) zonal isolation; and
(12) understanding induced seismicity risks from reservoir engineering and stimulation.
(c) Frontier observatory for research in geothermal energy
(1) In general
(2) DutiesThe Secretary shall—
(A) provide financial assistance in support of research and development projects focused on advanced monitoring technologies, new technologies and approaches for implementing multi-zone stimulations, nonstimulation techniques, and dynamic reservoir modeling that incorporates all available high-fidelity characterization data; and
(B) seek opportunities to coordinate efforts and share information with domestic and international partners engaged in research and development of geothermal systems and related technology, including coordination between FORGE sites.
(3) Site selectionOf the FORGE sites referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
(A) consider applications through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, from National Laboratories, multi-institutional collaborations, institutes of higher education and other appropriate entities best suited to provide national leadership on geothermal related issues and perform the duties enumerated under this subsection;
(B) prioritize existing field sites and facilities with capabilities relevant to the duties enumerated under this subsection;
(C) determine the mission need for and potential location of subsequent FORGE sites following the completion of construction and one year of operation of two FORGE sites; and
(D) ensure geologic diversity among FORGE sites when developing subsequent sites, to the maximum extent practicable.
(4) Existing forge sites
(5) Site operation
(A) Initial duration
(B) Performance metrics
(6) Additional terms
(A) In generalAt the end of an operational term described in subparagraph (B), a FORGE site may—
(i) be transferred to other public or private entities for further enhanced geothermal testing; or
(ii) subject to appropriations and a merit review by the Secretary, operate for an additional term of not more than 7 years.
(B) Operational term describedAn operational term referred to in subparagraph (A)—
(i) in the case of an existing FORGE site, is the existing operational term; and
(ii) in the case of new FORGE sites selected under paragraph (3), is the initial term under paragraph (5)(A) or an additional term under subparagraph (A)(ii) of this paragraph.
(7) Funding
(A) In generalOut of funds authorized to be appropriated under section 17202 of this title, there shall be made available to the Secretary to carry out the FORGE activities under this paragraph—
(i) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
(ii) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(iii) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(iv) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
(v) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
(B) Considerations
(d) Enhanced geothermal systems demonstrations
(1) In general
(2) Projects
(A) In general
(B) RequirementsDemonstration projects under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) collectively demonstrate—(I) different geologic settings, such as hot sedimentary aquifers, layered geologic systems, supercritical systems, and basement rock systems; and(II) a variety of development techniques, including open hole and cased hole completions, differing well orientations, and stimulation and nonstimulation mechanisms; and
(ii) to the extent practicable, use existing sites where subsurface characterization or geothermal energy integration analysis has been conducted.
(C) Eastern demonstration
(D) Milestone-based demonstration projects
(3) Funding
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 615, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1680; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(d), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2489.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17194

§ 17195. Geothermal energy production from oil and gas fields and recovery and production of geopressured gas resources
(a) In general
(b) Geothermal energy production from oil and gas fields
The Secretary shall implement a grant program in support of geothermal energy production from oil and gas fields. The program shall include grants for a total of not less than three demonstration projects of the use of geothermal techniques such as advanced organic rankine cycle systems at marginal, unproductive, and productive oil and gas wells. The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable and in the public interest, make awards that—
(1) include not less than five oil or gas well sites per project award;
(2) use a range of oil or gas well hot water source temperatures from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 300 degrees Fahrenheit;
(3) cover a range of sizes up to one megawatt;
(4) are located at a range of sites;
(5) can be replicated at a wide range of sites;
(6) facilitate identification of optimum techniques among competing alternatives;
(7) include business commercialization plans that have the potential for production of equipment at high volumes and operation and support at a large number of sites; and
(8) satisfy other criteria that the Secretary determines are necessary to carry out the program and collect necessary data and information.
The Secretary shall give preference to assessments that address multiple elements contained in paragraphs (1) through (8).
(c) Grant awards
Each grant award for demonstration of geothermal technology such as advanced organic rankine cycle systems at oil and gas wells made by the Secretary under subsection (b) shall include—
(1) necessary and appropriate site engineering study;
(2) detailed economic assessment of site specific conditions;
(3) appropriate feasibility studies to determine whether the demonstration can be replicated;
(4) design or adaptation of existing technology for site specific circumstances or conditions;
(5) installation of equipment, service, and support;
(6) operation for a minimum of 1 year and monitoring for the duration of the demonstration; and
(7) validation of technical and economic assumptions and documentation of lessons learned.
(d) Geopressured gas resource recovery and production
(1) The Secretary shall implement a program to support the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of cost-effective techniques to produce energy from geopressured resources.
(2) The Secretary shall solicit preliminary engineering designs for geopressured resources production and recovery facilities.
(3) Based upon a review of the preliminary designs, the Secretary shall award grants, which may be cost-shared, to support the detailed development and completion of engineering, architectural and technical plans needed to support construction of new designs.
(4) Based upon a review of the final design plans above, the Secretary shall award cost-shared development and construction grants for demonstration geopressured production facilities that show potential for economic recovery of the heat, kinetic energy and gas resources from geopressured resources.
(e) Competitive grant selection
(f) Well drilling
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 616, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1681.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17195

§ 17195a. Geothermal heat pumps and direct use research and development
(a) Purposes
The purposes of this section are—
(1) to improve the understanding of related earth sciences, components, processes, and systems used for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy; and
(2) to increase the energy efficiency, lower the cost, increase the use, and improve and demonstrate the effectiveness of geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy.
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Direct use of geothermal energy
The term “direct use of geothermal energy” means geothermal systems that use water directly or through a heat exchanger to provide—
(A) heating and cooling to buildings, commercial districts, residential communities, and large municipal, or industrial projects; or
(B) heat required for industrial processes, agriculture, aquaculture, and other facilities.
(2) Economically distressed area
(3) Geothermal heat pump
The term “geothermal heat pump” means a system that provides heating and cooling by exchanging heat from shallow geology, groundwater, or surface water using—
(A) a closed loop system, which transfers heat by way of buried or immersed pipes that contain a mix of water and working fluid; or
(B) an open loop system, which circulates ground or surface water directly into the building and returns the water to the same aquifer or surface water source.
(c) Program
(1) In general
(2) Areas
The program under paragraph (1) may include research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of—
(A) geothermal ground loop efficiency improvements, cost reductions, and improved installation and operations methods;
(B) the use of geothermal energy for building-scale energy storage;
(C) the use of geothermal energy as a grid management resource or seasonal energy storage;
(D) geothermal heat pump efficiency improvements;
(E) the use of alternative fluids as a heat exchange medium, such as hot water found in mines and mine shafts, graywater, or other fluids that may improve the economics of geothermal heat pumps;
(F) heating of districts, neighborhoods, communities, large commercial or public buildings, and industrial and manufacturing facilities;
(G) the use of low temperature groundwater for direct use; and
(H) system integration of direct use with geothermal electricity production.
(3) Environmental impacts
(d) Financial assistance
(1) In general
(2) Priority
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 616A, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(e)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2492.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17195a

§ 17196. Organization and administration of programs
(a) Federal share
(b) Organization and administration of programs
Programs under this part shall incorporate the following elements:
(1) The Secretary shall coordinate with, and where appropriate may provide funds in furtherance of the purposes of this part to, other Department of Energy research and development programs focused on drilling, subsurface characterization, and other related technologies.
(2) The Secretary shall coordinate and consult with the appropriate Federal land management agencies in selecting proposals for funding under this part.
(3) Nothing in this part shall be construed to alter or affect any law relating to the management or protection of Federal lands.
(c) Education and outreach
(d) Technical assistance
(e) Report
(f) Progress reports
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 617, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1682; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(f)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2493.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17196

§ 17197. Advanced geothermal computing and data science research and development
(a) In general
(b) Programs
The program authorized in subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) Advanced computing for geothermal systems technologies
(2) Geothermal systems reservoir modeling
(c) Coordination
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 618, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1683; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(g)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2494.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17197

§ 17198. Geothermal workforce development
The Secretary shall support the development of a geothermal energy workforce through a program that—
(1) facilitates collaboration between university students and researchers at the National Laboratories; and
(2) prioritizes science in areas relevant to the mission of the Department through the application of geothermal energy tools and technologies.
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 619, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1683; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(h)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2495.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17198

§§ 17199, 17200. Repealed. Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(i)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2495

CITE AS: 42 USC 17199, 17200

§ 17201. Applicability of other laws

Nothing in this part shall be construed as waiving, modifying, or superseding the applicability of any requirement under any environmental or other Federal or State law. To the extent that activities authorized in this part take place in coastal and ocean areas, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, regarding the potential marine environmental impacts and measures to address such impacts.

(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 622, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1684.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17201

§ 17202. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the programs under this part $170,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 623, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1684; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(j), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2495.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17202

§ 17203. International geothermal energy development
(a) In general
(b) United States Trade and Development Agency
The Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency may—
(1) encourage participation by United States firms in actions taken to carry out subsection (a); and
(2) provide grants and other financial support for feasibility and resource assessment studies conducted in, or intended to benefit, less developed countries.
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 624, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1684; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(k), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2495.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17203

§ 17204. High cost region geothermal energy grant program
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible entity
The term “eligible entity” means—
(A) a utility;
(B) an electric cooperative;
(C) a State;
(D) a political subdivision of a State;
(E) an Indian tribe; or
(F) a Native corporation.
(2) High-cost region
(b) Program
(c) Eligible activities
An eligible entity may use grant funds under this section, with respect to a geothermal energy project in a high-cost region, only—
(1) to conduct a feasibility study, including a study of exploration, geochemical testing, geomagnetic surveys, geologic information gathering, baseline environmental studies, well drilling, resource characterization, permitting, and economic analysis;
(2) for design and engineering costs, relating to the project; and
(3) to demonstrate and promote commercial application of technologies related to geothermal energy as part of the project.
(d) Cost sharing
(e) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 625, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1685; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(l), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2496.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 17204