The Future of Geothermal Energy 2015

Abstract

This paper is an investigation into trends in publication topics contained in the IGA Geothermal Conference Paper Database, and the IEA Technology Roadmap Geothermal Heat and Power Technology Development Actions. The IEA Actions are a set of recommendations to encourage the use of geothermal energy. Of interest is the correspondence between recommended action, and what has actually happened. Because the IGA database contains papers since 1977, it is possible to see trends in publication on these topics since then, to comment on the correlation with recommended Technology Development actions, and comment on near-future trends The broad conclusion is that the geothermal industry and research efforts correspond with the recommendations of the IEA on the importance of developing EGS and types of geothermal resource other than ‘conventional high and medium temperature hydrothermal’. There is less correspondence between recommendations for field studies, drilling and well logging; in other words, actual development work on real sites.