Making enhanced geothermal systems a reality at Fallon in Nevada, a U.S. DOE FORGE project
FORGE Infographic (source: DOE)
Alexander Richter
25 Feb 2017
The U.S. Department of Energy's Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) is a groundbreaking research project on EGS, with two projects funded in phase two, one of them being the project in Fallon, Nevada.
The U.S. Energy Department established the program for a Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) to enable cutting-edge research and drilling and technology testing, as well as to allow scientists to identify a replicable, commercial pathway to EGS. In addition to the site itself, the FORGE effort will include a robust instrumentation, data collection, and data dissemination component to capture and share data and activities occurring at FORGE in real time.
Phase 1 awards were made to five awardees in the Summer of 2015. Phase 1 completed in the Spring of 2016, initiating a down-select to Phase 2 selectees. To learn more about the participating teams see the links below for Phase 1 awardees’ Phase 1 description and final deliverables and Phase 2 awardees’ site and team description.
Phase 2 awardee, the Fallon FORGE project, has established a great website with details about its activities, which is both informative and very well done. Check it out here: http://www.fallonforge.org/
The site at Fallon meets all FORGE selection criteria. The site is an excellent study area for EGS with temperatures greater than 350º F at depths of about 5,000 ft. Over 15 square miles within and adjacent to the Naval Air Station Fallon (NASF) and Ormat leased area are available for site monitoring and instrumentation, including 1.7 square miles for full development. Data indicate suitable temperatures and rock structures at shallow depths, so reaching the target zone will cost significantly less than in greater depths. The Fallon FORGE Project Team is highly qualified and diverse with significant experience in EGS research and development. All this in a State with a proven potential for abundant geothermal energy.
PHASE 2 AWARDEES
PHASE 1 AWARDEES
