Supercritical Geothermal Research and Development Act

house

senate

president

Legislation Details

Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to enhance research and development of supercritical geothermal and closed-loop geothermal systems.
Defines “supercritical geothermal” as energy derived from subsurface rock resources existing at or above supercritical conditions.
Updates the use of advanced tools, including machine learning algorithms, for hydrothermal research and development.
Establishes a repository for geothermal drilling information, including publicly available subsurface data.
Requires periodic updates to the data repository to standardize and enhance accessibility for geothermal energy analysis.
Mandates collaboration between the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Interior for data sharing on geothermal development.
Directs the Secretary to commission deep exploration boreholes for geothermal data collection.
Expands research topics in enhanced geothermal systems to include supercritical conditions.
Establishes a Supercritical Geothermal Research and Development Program focusing on various technical areas, including well completion and materials development.
Authorizes grants for universities and private entities to support geothermal research and development activities.
Requires a report on water use and needs for enhanced geothermal systems within five years of enactment.
Establishes a next-generation geothermal center of excellence to coordinate research and support workforce development in geothermal energy.
Authorizes appropriations of $5 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for the geothermal research program.
Updates the geothermal resource assessment process to include quadrennial assessments of regions with significant supercritical geothermal potential.

Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to enhance research and development of supercritical geothermal and closed-loop geothermal systems.
Defines “supercritical geothermal” as energy derived from subsurface rock resources existing at or above supercritical conditions.
Updates the use of advanced tools, including machine learning algorithms, for hydrothermal research and development.
Establishes a repository for geothermal drilling information, including publicly available subsurface data.
Requires periodic updates to the data repository to standardize and enhance accessibility for geothermal energy analysis.
Mandates collaboration between the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Interior for data sharing on geothermal development.
Directs the Secretary to commission deep exploration boreholes for geothermal data collection.
Expands research topics in enhanced geothermal systems to include supercritical conditions.
Establishes a Supercritical Geothermal Research and Development Program focusing on various technical areas, including well completion and materials development.
Authorizes grants for universities and private entities to support geothermal research and development activities.
Requires a report on water use and needs for enhanced geothermal systems within five years of enactment.
Establishes a next-generation geothermal center of excellence to coordinate research and support workforce development in geothermal energy.
Authorizes appropriations of $5 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for the geothermal research program.
Updates the geothermal resource assessment process to include quadrennial assessments of regions with significant supercritical geothermal potential.

Supercritical Geothermal Research and Development Act

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