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Federal policy documentation and geothermal water consumption: Policy gaps and needs

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  • Schroeder, J.N.
  • Harto, C.B.
  • Clark, C.E.

Abstract

With U.S. geothermal power production expected to more than triple by 2040, and the majority of this growth expected to occur in arid and water-constrained areas, it is imperative that decision-makers understand the potential long-term limitations to and tradeoffs of geothermal development due to water availability. To this end, water consumption data, including documentation triggered by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, production and injection data, and water permit data, were collected from state and federal environmental policy sources in an effort to determine water consumption across the lifecycle of geothermal power plants. Values extracted from these sources were analyzed to estimate water usage during well drilling; to identify sourcing of water for well drilling, well stimulation, and plant operations; and to estimate operational water usage at the plant level. Nevada data were also compared on a facility-by-facility basis with other publicly available water consumption data, to create a complete picture of water usage and consumption at these facilities. This analysis represents a unique method of capturing project-level water data for geothermal projects; however, a lack of statutory and legal requirements for such data and data quality result in significant data gaps, which are also explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Schroeder, J.N. & Harto, C.B. & Clark, C.E., 2015. "Federal policy documentation and geothermal water consumption: Policy gaps and needs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 58-68.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:84:y:2015:i:c:p:58-68
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.04.022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kathleen Callison, 2010. "Securing Fluid Resources for Geothermal Projects in a World of Water Scarcity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 3(8), pages 1-14, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pan, Shu-Yuan & Gao, Mengyao & Shah, Kinjal J. & Zheng, Jianming & Pei, Si-Lu & Chiang, Pen-Chi, 2019. "Establishment of enhanced geothermal energy utilization plans: Barriers and strategies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 19-32.
    2. Wang, Yuqing & Liu, Yingxin & Dou, Jinyue & Li, Mingzhu & Zeng, Ming, 2020. "Geothermal energy in China: Status, challenges, and policy recommendations," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).

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