Technology Strategy Roadmap for Geothermal Induced Seismicity

Abstract

The Induced Seismicity Technology Strategy Roadmap presents a strategic action plan for the Enhanced (or Engineered) Geothermal Systems (EGS) Subprogram to address issues surrounding induced seismicity. This draft document, soon to be released to stakeholders and the public for comment, falls under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Geothermal Technology Program (GTP) that sponsored an EGS Induced Seismicity Workshop on October 28, 2010 in Sacramento, California to script the necessary material for the first draft Induced Seismicity Technology Strategy Roadmap. Heretofore, several other workshops were held on induced seismicity but this particular workshop brought together a diverse group of experts from industry, academia, and government to initiate the roadmap. Draft induced seismicity vision and mission statements developed at the workshop for the roadmap and a strategic framework were built along with focus areas, program elements, and needed science and technology R&D themes. In most cases induced seismicity (IS) is an inevitable consequence of geothermal energy production and EGS technology implementation; it is not a matter of whether or not IS will occur, it is a matter of at what magnitude will it express itself. EGS applies advanced tools and techniques to produce energy from reservoir systems with hot rock and tectonic stress but low permeability (i.e. “sealed fractures”). Normally, these reservoirs would produce little or no useful geothermal fluids. EGS technology boosts geothermal energy production by vastly increasing the number of potential geothermal sites as well as extending the life of existing reservoirs. A strategic framework is presented to guide GTP’s efforts to understand, manage, and make effective use of IS in the development of EGS resources. This IS strategic framework includes a Vision and Mission; three critical “leverage points” called Focus Areas, through which program actions tie to program goals; and then a detailed mapping of Program Elements and high-priority projects (or Project Themes) upon which concrete action can be taken.