The Arizona Geological Survey has just received an $18 million grant from the Department of Energy to lead a coalition of 46 state geologic surveys and universities to study the geothermal resources of the United States. The study is scheduled to last three years.

According to a press release by AZGS, “Over the next 3 years, data relevant to geothermal exploration and development will be digitized and published online from 46 states in a web-based, distributed, interoperable National Geothermal Data System (NGDS).

The Arizona Geological Survey was chosen as lead agency because it was already working toward the goal of collation and integration of spacial data, in conjunction with the U.S. Geological survey. The AZGS is a national leader in constructing a framework for geo- spacial data integration. Such a geo-spacial framework will be a valuable tool for other sciences also. It can, for instance, help integrate information on mineral deposits, vegetation patterns, wildlife occurrence and habitats, groundwater supply, and land use. It will allow scientists of many states and countries to share data. The AZGS program is also partnering with 21 European countries for spacial integration of scientific data.

There is already quite a bit of information about Arizona geothermal potential available online from the Arizona Geological Survey: http://www.azgs.state.az.us/geothermal_ngds.shtml Most of the geothermal research in Arizona was done in the late 1970s and early 1980s when there was an oil shortage.

The survey says “Geothermal energy abounds in the US, ranging from low-temperature, ground-source heat that can be extracted to cool homes in the summer and heat them in the winter; to direct use of low- to moderate-temperature water (68 F to 302 F) for homes, industry and commercial uses; to high-temperature systems capable of driving turbines and generating electricity.”

This program will give us a good assessment of the potential for geothermal energy as an alternative energy source, and provide a framework for integration of other resource studies.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 at 1:40 pm and is filed under Energy, Geology. Tags for this post: Arizona Geological Survey, Energy, geothermal energy, technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.