A Preliminary Direct Heat Geothermal Resource Assessment of the Tennessee Valley Region
- Key words
- Reservoir Engineering; USA; Tennessee; Tennessee Valley; General; Assessment; Geophysical Surveys; Temperature Gradient; Geological Surveys; Geology
- Location
- Tennessee Valley; Tennessee; Kentucky; Missouri
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1980
- Session
- Exploration; Seismicity; Geophysical surveys; Temperature gr
- Language
- English
Abstract
A preliminary appraisal of the direct heat geothermal energy resources of the Tennessee Valley region has been completed. This region includes Kentucky, Tennessee and parts of adjacent states. Intermediate and deep aquifers were selected for study. Basement and Top-of-Knox structure and temprature maps were complied from oil and gas well data on file at various state geological survey offices. Results of this study indicated that the New Madrid seismic zone is the only area within the region that possesses potential for direct heat utilization. In other areas geothermal energy is either too deep for economical extraction or it will not be able to compete with other local energy resources. The only anomalously high temperature well outside the New Madrid seismic zone was located in the Rome Trough and near the central part of eastern Kentucky coal basin. Geothermal energy in that region would face strong competition from coal, oil and natural gas.
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