42 U.S.C. § 17197: Advanced geothermal…

Summary

The Secretary must run a research program to create advanced computing and data tools for geothermal energy. The work will develop and test machine learning, AI, and data systems to find geothermal resources, make site studies more reliable, speed and improve drilling, lower the risk of earthquakes from projects, and support enhanced geothermal systems. It will also build and validate reservoir models for fluid and heat flow, changing permeability, rock mechanics, chemistry, seismic activity, and long-term performance, working with industry and field sites. The Secretary must work with the Department of Energy’s Office of Science and, when possible, with DOE national labs, universities, and private companies.

Title 42, §17197

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

The Secretary shall carry out a program of research and development of advanced computing and data science tools for geothermal energy.

(b)Programs

The program authorized in subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)Advanced computing for geothermal systems technologies

Research, development, and demonstration of technologies to develop advanced data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related computing tools to assist in locating geothermal resources, to increase the reliability of site characterization, to increase the rate and efficiency of drilling, to improve induced seismicity mitigation, and to support enhanced geothermal systems technologies.

(2)Geothermal systems reservoir modeling

Research, development, and demonstration of models of geothermal reservoir performance and enhanced geothermal systems reservoir stimulation technologies and techniques, with an emphasis on accurately modeling fluid and heat flow, permeability evolution, geomechanics, geochemistry, seismicity, and operational performance over time, including collaboration with industry and field validation.

(c)Coordination

In carrying out these programs, the Secretary shall ensure coordination and consultation with the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, coordination of these activities with the Department of Energy National Laboratories, institutes of higher education, and the private sector.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2020—Pub. L. 116–260 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to Center for Geothermal Technology Transfer.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.

§17197 Advanced Geothermal Computing and Data Science Research and Development