Enhanced Geothermal Systems Electric-Resource Assessment for the Great Basin, Southwestern United States
Links
- Document: Report (2.2 MB pdf)
- Data Release: USGS data release - Data Estimating Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Electric-Resources for the Great Basin, USA
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey recently (2025) completed a provisional assessment of the geothermal-electric resources associated with high-temperature, low-permeability rock formations of the Great Basin, Southwestern United States. If sufficient technological advances to commercialize enhanced geothermal systems occur, then a current best provisional estimate for electric-power generation capacity of 135 gigawatts electric are available from the upper 6 kilometers of the Earth’s crust. This estimate is a potential substantial increase of the installed geothermal electricity-generating capacity from <1 to 10 percent of current total U.S. power production capacity.
Suggested Citation
Burns, E.R., Williams, C.F., and DeAngelo, J., 2025, Enhanced geothermal systems electric-resource assessment for the Great Basin, southwestern United States: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2025–3027, 4 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20253027.
ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Why is the EGS Resource Assessment Provisional?
- Resource Estimates
- Factors that Affect How Much of the Resource is Useful
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Enhanced geothermal systems electric-resource assessment for the Great Basin, southwestern United States |
| Series title | Fact Sheet |
| Series number | 2025-3027 |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs20253027 |
| Publication Date | May 22, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center |
| Description | Report: 4 p.; Data Release |
| Country | United States |
| State | California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah |
| Other Geospatial | Great Basin |