Hydrothermal Power Generation

The geothermal power generation industry in the United States is one of the leaders in the world in increasing growth in electric power production from hydrothermal resources. Installed capacity in 2008 is nearly 3,000 megawatts. The industry and technology, however, continues to face challenges in lowering drilling and production costs and in expanding the resources available for production to wider geographic areas. GTP continues to support research and development activities and partnerships to encourage the U.S. geothermal community meet these challenges.


While GTP's R&D efforts for 2008 and 2009 is focusing activities and funding on enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), there continues to be long-term commitment to overcoming the challenges facing the continued expansion of electricity generation from hydrothermal resources. It is expected that many of the R&D activities for EGS and Technology Validation will also greatly benefit the existing hydrothermal power industry. In addition, GTP continues to coordinate with and support the industry through its deployment activities, including partnerships and information sharing.
Of particular application to hydrothermal power, however, is GTP's key R&D activity of advancing energy conversion technologies. GTP efforts will be directed to the development of more efficient energy conversion systems, including improved heat exchangers and condensers, which maximize the power generated for sale from the produced geothermal fluids from either a naturally occurring hydrothermal system or EGS.