What's the formal name of this project?
"Analysis of Geothermal Deep Direct-Use Combined with Reservoir Thermal Energy Storage for West Virginia University Campus - Morgantown, WV"
What is geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Geothermal energy can appear on the surface of the Earth or near the surface of the Earth, where we can harness it to serve our energy needs.
Geothermal resources are reservoirs of hot water that exist at varying temperatures and depths below the Earth's surface. Wells can be drilled into these underground reservoirs to tap steam and hot water that can be brought to the surface for various uses.
More information on geothermal energy can be found at energy.gov : What is geothermal energy? .
Why should we care about geothermal?
It's clean. It's renewable. It's available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, no matter what the weather. Geothermal fields produce very little carbon dioxide compared to fossil fuels. We do not depend on foreign countries for this heat source.
Learn more at energy.gov : Why should we care about geothermal? .
Who is funding this research?
U.S. DOE Geothermal Technology Office
How much is the project funding?
The U.S. DOE Geothermal Technology Office provided $7.25 million of funding over a four-year timeframe for drilling, data analysis and evaluation.
Who's involved in this project?
See our Team page.
How deep are they drilling?
15,000 feet (nearly 3 miles).
When will the drilling start?
Spring 2023.
How long will drilling take?
Approximately 45 to 60 days.
Why are they drilling in West Virginia?
A 2016 analysis identified North Central West Virginia as a priority location for potential deep direct use of geothermal energy. Geothermal heat maps also show higher subsurface temperatures throughout the area.
What are some other benefits of geothermal energy?
It has a high-efficiency rate and low-maintenance systems. The power plants are long-lasting, with life spans of up to 80 to 100 years. It's quiet. It does not depend on the weather, which makes it predictable and plannable. This energy source can not be shipped out of state, which is also beneficial to West Virginia.
For more information, see enelgreenpower.com