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Geothermal Frontier – Beta

This is an integrated knowledge and data sharing platform that aggregates global datasets on institutional research capacity and country-level geothermal profiles. It is designed to support cross-sector collaboration and the advancement of next-generation geothermal technologies. The platform facilitates access to structured data, technical insights, and networked expertise to accelerate the development of higher-enthalpy resources and drive cost-competitive deployment at scale.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Geothermal Energy

Institution Type: Research Center or National Laboratory

Institution Website

Richland, USA

Contact

Jana M. Simo
Geothermal Program Manager
jana.simo@pnnl.gov

Areas of Expertise

  • Resource Characterization & Modeling
  • Drilling & Well Design
  • Monitoring & Instrumentation
  • Reservoir Creation & Management
  • Engineering & Power Generation

Resource Characterization & Modeling

This area focuses on identifying, assessing, and modeling geothermal resources to understand their size, temperature, and viability. It supports better decision-making by improving predictions of subsurface conditions and resource potential.

  • Exploration, Appraisal, Site Selection Active
  • Geological Modeling Active
  • Geophysical Modeling Active
  • Reservoir Modeling Active
  • Coupled Process Modeling Active
  • Crustal Stress, Geomechanics/Rock Mechanics Active
  • Water/Rock Geochemistry Active
  • Seismic Risk & Mitigation Active
  • Water Resource Management Planned
  • High-Performance Computing (HPC) for Coupled or Multiphysics Simulations Active
  • Environmental Risk Assessment Active
State of Stress Assessment Tool (SOST)
Temperature Note no limit (software/analysis tool)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
6" polyaxial loading frame
Max Temperature (°C) 200
Max Pressure (MPa) 20 6" cubic sample. 20 MPa is the maximum of each of the three principal stresses. Includes ERT and acoustic emission/transmission, but the temperature limit is lower for acoustic emissions
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Raman-coupled double-torsion fracture propagation apparatus
Max Temperature (°C) 80
Max Pressure (MPa) 10
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Keyence Benchtop Optical Surface Profilometer
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Smartscope Optical for Metrology
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
PNNL Electron Microscopy (SEM, EDS, EBSD, FIB, TEM)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
X-ray imaging ( X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray tomography)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

Drilling & Well Design

This area covers technologies and expertise needed to safely and efficiently access geothermal resources at depth. It includes innovations in drilling methods, materials, and well design and construction to reduce costs and effectively reach higher-enthalpy systems in more geologic regions.

  • Well Completion (Cements, Liners, Flow Control) Active
  • Casing Materials (Thermal Stresses, Corrosion, Abrasion) Active
Material testing and characterization capabilities: physical, thermal, chemical, abrasion, etc.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Composite Casing: composite material and processing capabilities, testing and characterization (thermal, mechanical)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Advanced imaging, tribological test capabilities under extreme conditions such as gas species and pressure
Max Pressure (MPa) 28
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Polymer synthesis/surface chemistry modification for developing coatings or liners that protect casing materials from thermal stress, etc
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Composite manufacturing for advanced casing materials that combine durabilithy, light weight, thermal stability
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Polymer/surface chemsitry/composites for drilling and well integrity
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Improved steel and nickel alloy pipe materials for production and injection well casings, production tubing, surface pipelines
Temperature Note Higher than existing at a lower cost
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Abrasion Testing
Max Temperature (°C) 350 presently used on sheet metals
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Ceramics to metal joints (tailored metal-ceramic joints applicable to cements)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Mechanical behavior modeling of novel stress states, long term performance, and ability to create fixtures and parts from design to production
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Ceramics synthesis and brazing
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Unique thermomechnical processing capabilities to make tubular products, to coatings and joining (ShAPE, friction stir welding, friction stir processing, cold spray, laser welding, laser surface processing, plasma processing, reactive air aluminizing)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Variety of metallic, ceramic, or cermet surface coating or claddings
Max Temperature (°C) 500 at least
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Ultra-high performance concrete, cement mechanical testing
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
High temperature long-duration creep testing and high-temperature tension/compression testing
Max Temperature (°C) 200 and higher
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Hydrogen embrittlement in steels
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Steel corrosion prevention and tougher welds
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Wear Testing (Can perform wear testing in air and gaseous environments)
Max Pressure (MPa) 28
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
AES Environmental Chamber (Humidity Corrosion Chamber)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Tenney Environmental Chamber (Humidity Corrosion Chamber)
Max Temperature (°C) 180
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Singleton Salt Fog Chamber (7 different ASTM standards)
Max Temperature (°C) 50
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Multimodal Corrosion Testing- Electrochemical Testing, sample imaging, evolved gas collection, pH, conductivity measurement (Corrosion current, corrosion potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, sample imaging, evolved gas collection, pH, conductivity measurement)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Parr Vessel Autoclave corrosion (Long duration testing at steady pH and temperature with flow)
Max Temperature (°C) 140
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Parr Vessel Autoclave corrosion (High Temperature and pressure parr vessel for EGS and Superhot material testing) - Will need to purchase this equipment, quotes available
Max Temperature (°C) 500 Rated
Max Pressure (MPa) 34.5
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Stress corrosion cracking capabilities (Combined corrosion and mechanical testing)
Max Temperature (°C) 180
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion- ShAPE (Tubular extrusions for heat exchanger - Single and/or multi-material extrusion of high temperature material via ShAPE)
Max Temperature (°C) 1300
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Friction Stir Welding / Friction Stir Processing (Welding and repair of casing materials - Materials relevant to GT has been welded using Friction stir welding)
Max Temperature (°C) 1300
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Laser Surface Processing
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Air Plasma Surface Processing
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

Monitoring & Instrumentation

This area enables real-time measurement and analysis of geothermal systems through advanced sensors and data tools. It supports performance optimization, risk reduction, and improved understanding of subsurface behavior over time.

  • Fiber Optic Sensing Systems (DTS, DAS, DSS) Active
  • Real-Time Telemetry & Data Acquisition Systems Active
Low cost FO distributed temperature sensing via partnership with AiMiLi.com (spinoff from Univ of Pittsburgh)
Max Temperature (°C) 500 0.4 m spatial resolution, temperature measurement resolution 0.2C
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Low cost FO distributed acoustic sensing via partnership with AiMiLi.com (spinoff from Univ of Pittsburgh)
Max Temperature (°C) 350 1-m spatial resolution, minimal strain detectable 80 pstrain
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Low cost FO multiplexed pressure and strain sensing via partnership with AiMiLi.com (spinoff from Univ of Pittsburgh)
Max Temperature (°C) 350 Dynamic strain measurement frequency 12000Hz (24000 sampling rate), maximum pressure and strain sensor multiplexed on one fiber, 1,000. strain sensitivity 0.2 microstrain. Pressure sensitivity 0.5 psi.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Electrical reflectometry (time domain reflectometry, frequency domain reflectometry) and dielectric spectroscopy for structural integrity sensing, etc. TDR previously demonstrated at LBNL with GTO support (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2020.103002). ARENA Test Bed capability set at PNNL (www.pnnl.gov/arena)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Heat powered thermoelctric transmitters
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Embedded sensors, piezoelectric sensors (High-temperature piezoelectric sensors for damage/cracks sensing, robust ceramic-to-metal joints)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

Reservoir Creation & Management

This area focuses on developing and sustaining productive geothermal systems, including enhanced and closed-loop systems. It involves techniques to develop the geothermal reservoir, manage the system, and optimize fluid flow and heat extraction over the project’s life.

  • Closed-Loop Systems Active
  • EGS (Hydraulic Stimulation, Zonal Isolation, High-Temp Proppants) Active
6" polyaxial loading frame
Max Temperature (°C) 200 Includes ERT and acoustic emission/transmission, but the temperature limit is lower for acoustic emissions
Max Pressure (MPa) 20
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Aqueous corrosion testing, high-temperature protective coatings by laser treatment and other deposition techniques
Max Temperature (°C) 60 For testing high-temperature coatings (higher temperature testing systems can be designed and developed)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
MTS Hydraulic Load Frame 5kip - 22.24kN
Max Temperature (°C) 1000 Clamshell furnaces can be utilized
Max Pressure (MPa) 34.5 Compression, tension, shear, contact extensometry up to 300 deg C and non-contact/DIC full range
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
MTS Hydraulic Load Frame 10kip - 44.48kN
Max Temperature (°C) 1000 Clamshell furnaces can be utilized
Max Pressure (MPa) 69 Compression, tension, shear, contact extensometry up to 300 deg C and non-contact/DIC full range
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
MTS Hydraulic Load Frame 50kip- 222.41 kN
Max Pressure (MPa) 344 Compression, tension, shear, contact extensometry up to 300 deg C and non-contact/DIC full range
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
MTS Hydraulic Load Frame 500kip- 2224.1 kN
Temperature Note Primarily for Compression
Max Pressure (MPa) 3447 Compression, tension, shear, contact extensometry up to 300 deg C and non-contact/DIC full range
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Instron Hydraulic Load Frame 22kip- 97.86 kN
Max Pressure (MPa) 152 Compression, tension, shear, contact extensometry up to 300 deg C and non-contact/DIC full range
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Instron Servo-Mechanical Load Frame 100kip- 444.82 kN
Max Temperature (°C) 1200 MTS 651 Environmental Cham. (compression only - otherwise 300°C)
Max Pressure (MPa) 689.5 Compression, tension, shear, Contact extensometry up to 300 deg C and non-contact/DIC full range
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
ADMET Micro-Tensile (bench top small-scale)
Max Pressure (MPa) 6.8
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Sintec Tensile Tester
Max Temperature (°C) 800 ATS Clamshell
Max Pressure (MPa) 6.8
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
PNNL-built Torsion Tester
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Tube Burst System (Various control methods: pnuematic drive, hydraulic via actuator, electronically driven; and manual crank)
Max Pressure (MPa) 207
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Impact Tester (Charpie and IZOD capable up to 22 kJ)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Rotary Beam Fatigue
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Wear Testing (air and gaseous environments)
Max Pressure (MPa) 28
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
AES Environmental Chamber (Humidity Corrosion Chamber)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Tenney Environmental Chamber (Humidity Corrosion Chamber)
Max Temperature (°C) 180
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Singleton Salt Fog Chamber (7 different ASTM standards)
Max Temperature (°C) 50
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Electrochemical Testing (Corrosion current, corrosion potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy)
Max Temperature (°C) 90
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Multimodal Corrosion Testing - Electrochemical Testing, sample imaging, evolved gas collection, pH, conductivity measurement (Corrosion current, corrosion potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, sample imaging, evolved gas collection, pH, conductivity measurement)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Parr Vessel Autoclave corrosion (Long duration testing at steady pH and temperature with flow)
Max Temperature (°C) 140
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Barnstead International Type 47900 and 48000 Furnaces (Series 1165, 1166, 1205)
Max Temperature (°C) 1200 Continuous Use: Max 1093°C (2000°F) for over 3 hours; Intermittent Use: Max 1200°C (2192°F) for under 3 hours
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Thermo Scientific Lindberg/Blue M Moldatherm Box Furnace for laboratory and heat treating applications
Max Temperature (°C) 1100 Continuous Use: Max 1100°C for over 3 hours
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Linderberg Blue M LGO Furnaces (BF51732 Series)
Max Temperature (°C) 1200 Maximum Temperature: 1200°C for laboratory and light industrial applications; Not designed for gas-tight applications and requires pre-use burn-in periods
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Vulcan 3-550 Burnout Furnaces (Multi-stage programmable)
Max Temperature (°C) 1100
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Series 3210 Furnace (Sintech)
Max Temperature (°C) 900 Maximum Operating Temperature: 900°C; Operational Constraints: Avoid exceeding the maximum operating temperature to prevent damage
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Series 3210-3.00-12-12 Furnace and Barnstead/Thermolyne F48025 Controller
Max Temperature (°C) 1200
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
MTI KSL-1200X-L Furnace
Max Temperature (°C) 1200 100-1100°C-Max. Continuously; 1200°C-Max. under an hour
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Dilatometry
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Thermal Conductivity Analysis
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

Engineering & Power Generation

This area addresses the conversion of geothermal heat into usable energy through plant design and system integration. It includes advancements in power cycles, efficiency improvements, and technologies for reliable, cost-competitive electricity generation.

  • Power Production (Grid Connection/Integration) Active
  • Opportunities for Co-Production Active
  • Integration with Hydrogen or Thermal Energy Storage Systems Planned
  • Alternative Working Fluids Planned
Composite overwrapped pressure vessel winding setup, hydrogen pipeline, high pressure hydrogen test capabilities (e.g., transport properties, mechanical properties, long-term creep/crack growth, volumetric swell), FEA simulation of sealing components and plastic pipes
Max Temperature (°C) 85
Max Pressure (MPa) 90
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously Yes
Heat exchanger tubing capable of operating at higher temperature and lower cost (Ti, Cu-Ni, Oxide Dispersion Strenthened Steel)
Temperature Note Higher than current
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Mechanical behavior modeling of novel stress states, long term performance, and ability to create fuxtres and parts from design to production
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Residual stress analysis - hole drilling and x-ray based methods
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Ceramics synthesis and brazing
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Unique thermomechnical processing capabilities to make tubular products, to coatings and joining (ShAPE, friction stir welding, friction stir processing, cold spray, laser welding, laser surface processing, plasma processing, reactive air aluminizing)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Laser, plasma, peening, additive deposition etc. surface modification techniques
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Preventing chemical fouling (Prevent deposition of chemical precipitates etc.)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Cold Spray Coating Technology
Max Temperature (°C) 1000
Max Pressure (MPa) 7
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion- ShAPE (Tubular extrusions for heat exchanger - Single and/or multi-material extrusion of high temperature material via ShAPE)
Max Temperature (°C) 1300
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Laser Surface Processing
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Air Plasma Surface Processing
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Barnstead International Type 47900 and 48000 Furnaces (Series 1165, 1166, 1205)
Max Temperature (°C) 1200 Continuous Use: Max 1093°C (2000°F) for over 3 hours; Intermittent Use: Max 1200°C (2192°F) for under 3 hours
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Thermo Scientific Lindberg/Blue M Moldatherm 1100°C Box Furnace
Max Temperature (°C) 1100 Continuous Use: Max 1100°C for over 3 hours; General Purpose: Laboratory and heat treating applications
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Linderberg Blue M LGO 1200°C Furnaces (BF51732 Series)
Max Temperature (°C) 1200 Maximum Temperature: 1200°C for laboratory and light industrial applications; Not designed for gas-tight applications and requires pre-use burn-in periods
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Vulcan 3-550 Burnout Furnaces (Multi-stage programmable)
Max Temperature (°C) 1100
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Series 3210 Furnace (Sintech)
Max Temperature (°C) 900 Maximum Operating Temperature: 900°C; Operational Constraints: Avoid exceeding the maximum operating temperature to prevent damage.
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Series 3210-3.00-12-12 Furnace and Barnstead/Thermolyne F48025 Controller
Max Temperature (°C) 1200
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
MTI KSL-1200X-L Furnace
Max Temperature (°C) 1200 100-1100°C-Max. continuously; 1200°C-Max. under an hour
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Dilatometry
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Thermal Conductivity Analysis
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
AES Environemental Chamber (Humidity Corrosion Chamber)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Tenney Environmental Chamber (Humidity Corrosion Chamber)
Max Temperature (°C) 180
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Singleton Salt Fog Chamber (Salt Corrosion Chamber; 7 different ASTM standards)
Max Temperature (°C) 50
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Multimodal Corrosion Testing - Electrochemical Testing, sample imaging, evolved gas collection, pH, conductivity measurement (Corrosion current, corrosion potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, sample imaging, evolved gas collection, pH, conductivity measurement)
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Parr Vessel Autoclave corrosion (Long duration testing at steady pH and temperature with flow)
Max Temperature (°C) 140
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No
Parr Vessel Autoclave corrosion- 25 C to 400C - High Temperature and pressure parr vessel for EGS and Superhot material testing (Will need to purchase this equipment, quotes available)
Max Temperature (°C) 500 Rated
Max Pressure (MPa) 34.5
Ability to Adjust T & P Simultaneously No

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