Planning Grant for an I/UCRC for Geothermal Energy Resources
1238285 University of California-Davis; Peter Schiffman 1238347 University of Nevada Reno; Wendy Calvin
The proposed Center for Geothermal Energy Resources aims to focus research efforts on topics with a high potential for successfully addressing industry-identified major challenges, as well as to provide educational opportunities for students to develop interest and expertise in geothermal studies. The research efforts will be anchored by the University of California-Davis (UCD) as the lead institution, partnered with the University of Nevada Reno (UNR).
Despite its potential, the development of geothermal energy has been slow relative to other renewable energy technologies. The critical challenge in expanding geothermal energy applications has been identified as the inability to target the sub-surface resource(s). Over the past decade, however, high performance computing, three-dimensional visualization, and geo-physical and geo-chemical analyses have been identified as possible solutions to address this challenge. These and other techniques are rapidly maturing and could provide powerful tools in advancing research in the broad topics of (1) geothermal resource exploration, (2) the production and management of known geothermal reservoirs, and (3) the frontiers of geothermal energy research. Faculty and student researchers at UCD and UNR, in partnership with industry, have the ability to advance the utilization of geothermal resources through this proposed I/UCRC in geothermal energy resources.
An I/UCRC in geothermal energy resources would promote development of new exploration and reservoir management techniques to increase the certainty in drilling productive boreholes, thus reducing the financial risk of exploration. An I/UCRC in geothermal energy resources would provide an energetic venue within which interaction could be fostered amongst industry, academic researchers, graduate students and undergraduate students. The goal of the proposed Center would be to focus research efforts on topics with a high potential for successfully addressing industry-identified major challenges, as well as to provide educational opportunities for students to develop interest and expertise in geothermal studies. The proposed Center would also hope to engage the international geothermal community, e.g., through existing research collaborations in Iceland and elsewhere.
This small preplanning award allowed faculty and staff of the University of Nevada-Reno to participate in the annual director's meeting of the I/UCRC, create proposals for consideration for industry funding and hold a potential members planning meeting. Additional information on the proposed Center is available at the web site: www.geology.ucdavis.edu/geothermal/index.php The proposed Center for Geothermal Resources (CGR) – with sites at University of California, Davis (UCD) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) - would be part of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) program. CGR will focus research efforts on topics with a high potential for successfully addressing industry-identified major challenges, as well as to provide educational opportunities for students to develop interest and expertise in geothermal studies. The critical challenge in expanding geothermal energy applications and market penetration is the inability to target sub-surface resource(s). However recently, high performance computing, 3-D visualization, and geophysical and geochemical analyses have been identified as possible solutions to address this challenge. The CGR research areas will focus on improved and new exploration and reservoir management techniques to increase the certainty in drilling productive boreholes, thus reducing the financial risk of exploration. Project outcomes for this one-year planning award include: 1) Attendance of site directors at the "boot camp" for new centers and the annual I/UCRC directors meeting. 2) Creation of eleven research projects for potential consideration for industry funding. 3) Holding a potential members planning meeting June 25 and 26, 2013 in Reno, NV. 4) Creation of a ranking rubric with industry feedback providing selection of five potential projects for industry funding.
