Open Access to Geoscience Data for Exploration and Assessment

Abstract

The U.S. National Geothermal Data System's (NGDS – www.geothermaldata.org) provides free open access to millions of data records, maps, and reports, sharing relevant geoscience and land use data to propel geothermal development and production in the U.S. Since the NGDS is built using the Geoscience Information Network data integration framework the system is compliant with international standards and protocols, scalable, extensible, and can be deployed throughout the world. NGDS currently serves information from hundreds of the U.S. Department of Energy's sponsored development and research projects and geologic data feeds from 60+ data providers in all 50 states, using free and open source software, in a federated system where data owners maintain control of their data. This interactive online system is opening new exploration opportunities and shortening project development by making data easily discoverable, accessible, and interoperable at no cost to users.