Web-Scraping and Large Language Models for Geothermal Operations: Mapping Water Availability and Ordinances

Abstract

Estimating the potential national build out of emerging geothermal technologies such as enhanced geothermal systems will require understanding state and local regulatory policies and permitting. Water use for enhanced geothermal systems is an outstanding issue, especially for the arid Western United States were elevated subsurface temperatures exist. We have developed an LLM application to gather water rights, availability, and permitting in 98 water districts in Texas. We present the challenges of validating the web-scraped and LLM retrieved information and map this information with the collocated geothermal potential. We have developed an LLM application to gather water rights, availability, and permitting in 98 water districts in Texas. We present the challenges of validating the web-scraped and LLM retrieved information and map this information with the collocated geothermal potential.