First-of-its-kind achievement successfully demonstrates that EGS technologies are commercially viable.
August 21, 2013
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At the outer edges of the largest operating geothermal field in the world, the Energy Department and project partner Calpine Corp. achieved the nation's first sustained enhanced geothermal system (EGS) demonstration success in 2012. The Geysers EGS Demonstration project successfully created a new and distinct reservoir, yielding enough steam to produce 5 MW of electricity, a program milestone. Because of existing infrastructure, this EGS reservoir demonstrates that stimulating hot rock on the margins of existing hydrothermal fields can secure higher field productivity at low cost.
Positive Impact
Proving the technology for advanced EGS applications, this first-of-its-kind achievement successfully demonstrated that EGS technologies are commercially viable.
Locations
Middletown, California
Partners
Calpine Corp.
EERE Investment
$7 million
Clean Energy Sector
Renewable electricity generation
The Geothermal Technologies Office researches, develops, and validates innovative and cost-competitive technologies and tools to locate, access, and develop geothermal resources in the United States.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.