HR 8790
Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act
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Bill overview
This bill, the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, aims to boost research, development, and commercialization of advanced geothermal technologies. It amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to specifically define and prioritize ‘next-generation’ geothermal systems, including enhanced and closed-loop systems operating in supercritical conditions. The bill also directs funding for data collection, analysis, and a center of excellence focused on supercritical geothermal development, and updates the national geothermal resource assessment.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘closed-loop geothermal systems’ and ‘next-generation geothermal systems’ (including enhanced and supercritical systems).
- Directs funding for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of next-generation geothermal technologies.
- Requires the creation of a ‘next-generation geothermal systems center of excellence’ at National Laboratories.
- Mandates updates to the national geothermal resource assessment, prioritizing supercritical geothermal regions.
- Establishes a memorandum of understanding for sharing geothermal development data among federal agencies.
- Authorizes the drilling of supercritical geothermal exploration boreholes.
- Provides grants for commercial-readiness innovation in geothermal technologies.
- Requires the submission of progress reports to Congress on geothermal resource potential and barriers to commercialization.
Who is affected
- Department of Energy
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 8790
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities in support of next-generation geothermal and closed-loop geothermal systems in various conditions, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act
.
in section 612 (42 U.S.C. 17191; relating to definitions)—
by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, the following new paragraph:
closed-loop geothermal systemsmeans a wellbore or subsurface circuit of wellbores containing a fluid heated through contact with the borehole wall.
by inserting after paragraph (8), as so redesignated, the following new paragraph:
The term next-generation geothermal systems
means—
enhanced geothermal systems;
closed-loop geothermal systems;
in supercritical conditions—
enhanced geothermal systems; or
closed-loop geothermal systems; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
supercritical geothermalmeans energy derived from a subsurface rock resource in-situ existing at or above the supercritical conditions, whether relating to temperature or pressure, of the primary fluid present.
advanced geologic tools to assistand inserting
advanced tools, including machine learning algorithms, to assist;
in subsection (d)(1), by striking among the Office of Fossil Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
and inserting across the Department
; and
in subsection (h)—
in paragraph (1), by inserting and publicly available subsurface data, including data reported as part of fossil fuel and mining operations,
after geothermal drilling information
; and
in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
Standardize data in a uniform manner to the maximum extent practicable and enable analysis across different projects.
Increase uses of data, including data viewable by map and organization by common attributes, such as region.
Make other improvements in functionality and usability, as determined by the Secretary.
The Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Interior, and with the heads of other relevant Federal departments, for notifying, sharing, and providing opportunities for additional data collection regarding shared geothermal development data from projects funded by the Department of the Interior and each such other relevant department, including data from mining, critical minerals, and energy projects, such as subsurface heat data, seismic data, lithology data, boundaries of State and federally protected areas, and existing transmission capacity.
The Secretary of the Interior may, in consultation with the Secretary, commission the drilling of supercritical geothermal exploration boreholes in representative geological provinces in the United States to provide control points for deep heat mapping and geothermal development. The resulting data shall include an exploration of heat, lithology, and strain profiles, and shall be shared publicly on the repository established under paragraph (1).
The Secretary of the Interior shall, in consultation with the Secretary, conduct a study on site selection characteristics in representative geological provinces in the United States, including the United States territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for supercritical geothermal.
in the section heading, by striking Enhanced
and inserting Next-generation
;
in subsection (a), by striking enhanced
and inserting next-generation
;
in subsection (b)—
in the heading, by inserting and closed-loop
after Enhanced
;
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting and closed-loop
after enhanced
;
in paragraph (11), by striking and
after the semicolon;
in paragraph (12), by striking the period and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
in subsection (c)—
by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph:
by adding at the end the following new subsections:
Well completion.
Permeability creation and management, including proppants and packers.
Materials development and equipment design, including power production, specific to supercritical geothermal systems.
Sensor development.
Water-rock geochemistry.
Rock properties.
Hard rock and deep drilling.
Any other topics the Secretary determines necessary.
Characterization and crustal stress.
Lab work.
Drilling.
Stimulation.
Power production.
Water use and estimated needs of enhanced geothermal systems.
Water use and estimated needs for closed-loop, and next-generation geothermal energy production.
The ability of next-generation geothermal systems to use brackish and nonpotable water.
The withdrawal and consumption of water per megawatt hour of next-generation geothermal systems, as compared to other power-generation technologies.
Technological and operational improvements that could lead to decreases in water withdrawal and consumption of next-generation geothermal systems.
The establishment of a next-generation geothermal systems center of excellence.
Whether the entity hosts an existing geothermal energy research and development program.
Whether the entity has proven technical expertise to support geothermal energy research.
Whether the entity has access to geothermal resources.
Advance research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of next-generation geothermal energy technologies, including supercritical geothermal technologies, in response to industry and commercial needs, including by partnering with other academic or research institutions, industry, non-governmental organizations, and State, local, or Tribal governments.
Support workforce development across the next-generation geothermal systems energy development lifecycle.
Grants may be awarded under this paragraph for innovative technologies, including the following:
Hardrock drilling equipment, components, and systems, including bit design and vibration control.
Reservoir characterization, well design and spacing, and completions.
Data acquisition and analysis, including fiber optic sensing tools and methodologies.
An entity seeking a grant under this paragraph shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to the following:
Applicants, including for-profit entities and public-private partnerships, with demonstrated expertise relating to in-field development and commercial operations for geothermal energy projects.
Projects with the greatest ability to advance near-term commercial deployment of enhanced geothermal systems and closed-loop geothermal systems.
Projects that advance the commercialization of geothermal energy projects in diverse geological conditions or supercritical conditions.
The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out with a grant under this paragraph shall be not more than 80 percent.
in section 617 (42 U.S.C. 17196; relating to organization and administration of programs)—
in subsection (e), by striking Committee on Science and Technology
and inserting Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
; and
by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
Information relating to the results of projects undertaken under this section.
Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate.
Section 2501 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (30 U.S.C. 1028) is amended—
in subsection (c)—
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting quadrennially
before update
;
in paragraph (1)(D)(ii), by striking and
at the end;
in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
by striking subsection (d).
The first quadrennial update to the geothermal resource assessment carried out by the United States Geological Survey under subsection (c) of section 2501 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, as amended by paragraph (1), shall be completed by not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.