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Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is contained in underground reservoirs of steam, hot water, and hot dry rocks. As used at electric generating facilities, hot water or steam extracted from geothermal reservoirs in the Earth's crust is supplied to steam turbines at electric utilities that drive generators to produce electricity. Moderate-to-low termperature geothermal resources are used for direct-use applications such as district and space heating. Lower temperature, shallow ground, geothermal resources are used by geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool buildings.

Hot springs in Steamboat Springs area.
Hot springs in Steamboat Springs area.

   Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Photographic Information Exchange.

 

For the Latest Data on Geothermal Energy

  • Table 1-U.S. Energy Consumption by Energy Source
  • Table 2 - Renewable Energy Consumption by Energy Use Sector and Energy Source
  • Table 3 - Renewable Energy Consumption for Electricity Generation by Energy Use Sector and Energy Source
  • Table 4 - Electricity Net Generation From Renewable Energy by Energy Use Sector and Energy Source

Geothermal Generation and Capacity

Fact Sheet: Geothermal Milestones
This fact sheet provides an overview of the Geothermal industry.

Article: Geothermal Energy Profile
This article covers the basics of geothermal energy resources, electricity generation technology, and the state of the geothermal industry.

Article: Management of Known Geothermal Resource Areas
This article covers the ongoing issues in the geothermal power industry as it relates to the finite geothermal resources.

Appendix: Environmental Impacts of Geothermal Energy
This appendix provides supplemental information and discussion related to geothermal energy.

Map: Geothermal Resources on Federal Lands
This map shows geothermal resource potential on Federal Lands and the lower 48 states.

Publication: Energy Consumption and Renewable Energy Development Potential on Indian Lands, (To view the entire Publication)
This report provides information on the electricity use and needs of Indian households, the tribe comparative electricity rate that Indian households are paying, and the potential for renewable resources development of Indian lands.   Geothermal Resources, Geothermal Resource Potential (Map)

Publication: Renewable Energy Technology Characterizations, (To view the entire publication, the Table of Contents is hyperlinked.)A joint study by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Electric Power Research Institute, that includes cost and performance data. - Overview of Geothermal Technologies

Publication: Assumptions to the Annual Energy Outlook 2003 , (To view the entire publication)
Renewable energy generating technology cost and performance assumptions that underlie the forecasts in the Energy Information Administration's Annual Energy Outlook 2003. EIA uses a number of sources, including the data in the DOE - EPRI Renewable Energy Technology Characterizations study, to characterize renewable generating technologies in its modeling scenarios, or, cases. See: Renewables Fuel Module

Web: Renewables in Electricity
This web page addresses a broad range of issues regarding renewables in electricity such as, but not limited to: tax and financial incentives; re-evaluation of renewable energy policies; electric utility and non-utility power from renewables; legislative incentives that favor renewables in electricity; net metering; renewable portfolio standard; and transmission issues for renewable energy.

Web: Renewable Legislation and Incentives
This web page covers public laws and proposed laws impacting the renewable energy marketplace.

Young Readers: Geothermal


Links to Other Websites

An Information Survival Kit for the Prospective Geothermal Heat Pump Owner

U.S. Department of Energy
Energy, Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) - Geothermal Energy Program

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Photographic Information Exchange - Geothermal



1The "Reference case" projections in AEO2003 are not statements of what will happen but of what might happen, given the assumptions and methodologies used. The projections are business-as-usual trend forecasts, given known technology, technological and demographic trends, and current laws and regulations. Thus, they provide a policy-neutral reference case that can be used to analyze policy initiatives. EIA does not propose, advocate, or speculate on future legislative and regulatory changes. All laws are assumed to remain as currently enacted; however, the impacts of emerging regulatory changes, when defined, are reflected.
Source: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/index.html

Contact:

Mark Gielecki
Mark.Gielecki@eia.doe.gov
(202) 287-1729