H.R.5374

            




116 HR 5374 IH: Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-12-10
text/xml
EN
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I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5374IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 10, 2019Mr. Lucas (for himself and Ms. Johnson of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo establish and support advanced geothermal research and development programs at the Department of
			 Energy, and for other purposes.
	
		
1.
Short title; table of contents
 (a)
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019. (b)
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
				
					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Definitions.
					Sec. 3. Hydrothermal research and development.
					Sec. 4. General geothermal systems research and development.
					Sec. 5. Enhanced geothermal systems research and development.
					Sec. 6. Cost sharing and proposal evaluation.
					Sec. 7. Advanced geothermal computing and data science research and development.
					Sec. 8. Geothermal workforce development.
					Sec. 9. Reporting requirements.
					Sec. 10. Repeals.
					Sec. 11. Authorization of appropriations.
					Sec. 12. International geothermal energy development.
					Sec. 13. Reauthorization of High Cost Region Geothermal Energy Grant Program.
				
 
2.
Definitions
Section 612(1) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17191(1)) is amended to read as follows:
			
 (1)
Engineered
When referring to enhanced geothermal systems, the term engineered means designed to access subsurface heat, including stimulation and nonstimulation technologies to address one or more of the following issues:
 (A)Lack of effective permeability, porosity or open fracture connectivity within the heat reservoir. (B)Insufficient contained geofluid in the heat reservoir.
 (C)A low average geothermal gradient which necessitates deeper drilling, or the use of alternative heat sources or heat generation processes..
 
3.
Hydrothermal research and development
Section 613 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17192) is amended to read as follows:
			
				
613.
Hydrothermal research and development
 (a)
In general
The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for geothermal energy production from hydrothermal systems.
 (b)
Programs
The program authorized in subsection (a) shall include the following: (1)
Advanced hydrothermal resource tools
The research and development of advanced geologic tools to assist in locating hydrothermal resources, and to increase the reliability of site characterization, including the development of new imaging and sensing technologies and techniques to assist in prioritization of targets for characterization;
 (2)
Exploratory drilling for geothermal resources
The demonstration of advanced technologies and techniques of siting and exploratory drilling for undiscovered resources in a variety of geologic settings, carried out in collaboration with industry partners that will assist in the acquisition of high quality data sets relevant for hydrothermal subsurface characterization activities
.
 
4.
General geothermal systems research and development
Section 614 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17193) is amended to read as follows:
			
				
614.
General geothermal systems research and development
 (a)
Subsurface components and systems
The Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of components and systems capable of withstanding geothermal environments and necessary to develop, produce, and monitor geothermal reservoirs and produce geothermal energy.
 (b)
Environmental impacts
The Secretary shall— (1)support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies and practices designed to mitigate or preclude potential adverse environmental impacts of geothermal energy development, production or use; and
 (2)support a research program to identify potential environmental impacts and environmental benefits of geothermal energy development, production, and use, and ensure that the program described in paragraph (1) addresses such impacts, including effects on groundwater and local hydrology;
 (3)support a program of research to compare the potential environmental impacts and environmental benefits identified as part of the development, production, and use of geothermal energy with the potential emission reductions of greenhouse gases gained by geothermal energy development, production, and use; and
 (4)in carrying out this section, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, consult with relevant Federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency.
 (c)
Reservoir thermal energy storage
The Secretary shall support a program of research, development, and demonstration of reservoir thermal energy storage, emphasizing cost-effective improvements through deep direct use engineering, design, and systems research.
					(d)
Oil and gas technology transfer initiative
 (1)
In general
The Secretary shall support an initiative among the Office of Fossil Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the private sector to research, develop, and demonstrate relevant advanced technologies and operation techniques used in the oil and gas sector for use in geothermal energy development.
 (2)
Priorities
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize technologies with the greatest potential to significantly increase the use and lower the cost of geothermal energy in the United States, including the cost and speed of geothermal drilling.
						(3)
Coproduction of geothermal energy and minerals production research and development initiative
 (A)
In general
The Secretary shall carry out a research and development initiative under which the Secretary shall award grants to demonstrate the coproduction of critical minerals from geothermal resources.
 (B)
Requirements
An award made under subparagraph (A) shall— (i)improve the cost effectiveness of removing minerals from geothermal brines as part of the coproduction process;
 (ii)increase recovery rates of the targets mineral commodity; (iii)decrease water use and other environmental impacts, as determined by the Secretary; and
 (iv)demonstrate a path to commercial viability.
. 
5.
Enhanced geothermal systems research and development
Section 615 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17194) is amended to read as follows:
			
				
615.
Enhanced geothermal systems research and development
 (a)
In general
The Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for enhanced geothermal systems, including the programs described in subsection (b).
 (b)
Enhanced geothermal systems technologies
In collaboration with industry partners, the Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of the technologies to achieve higher efficiency and lower cost enhanced geothermal systems, including—
 (1)reservoir stimulation; (2)reservoir characterization, monitoring, and modeling;
 (3)stress and fracture mapping including real time monitoring and modeling; (4)tracer development;
 (5)three and four-dimensional seismic imaging and tomography; (6)well placement and orientation;
 (7)long-term reservoir management; (8)drilling technologies, methods, and tools;
 (9)improved exploration tools; (10)zonal isolation; and
 (11)understanding induced seismicity risks from reservoir engineering and stimulation. (c)
Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy
The Secretary shall support the establishment and construction of up to 3 field research sites operated by public or academic entities, which shall each be known as a Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy or FORGE site to develop, test, and enhance techniques and tools for enhanced geothermal energy.
 (1)
Duties
The Secretary shall— (A)award grants in support of research and development projects focused on advanced monitoring technologies, new technologies and approaches for implementing multi-zone stimulations, and dynamic reservoir modeling that incorporates all available high-fidelity characterization data; and
 (B)seek opportunities to coordinate efforts and share information with domestic and international partners engaged in research and development of geothermal systems and related technology.
 (2)
Site selection
Of the FORGE sites referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A)consider applications through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, from National Laboratories, multi-institutional collaborations, institutes of higher education and other appropriate entities best suited to provide national leadership on geothermal related issues and perform the duties enumerated under this subsection; and
 (B)prioritize existing field sites and facilities with capabilities relevant to the duties enumerated under this subsection.
 (3)
Funding
Out of funds authorized to be appropriated under section 11 of the Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019, there shall be made available to the Secretary to carry out the FORGE activities under this paragraph—
 (A)$45,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; (B)$55,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
 (C)$65,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; (D)$70,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
 (E)$70,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consider the balance between funds dedicated to construction and operations and research activities to reflect the state of site development.(4)
Enhanced geothermal systems demonstrations
 (A)
In general
Beginning on the date of enactment of the Advanced Geothermal Energy Research and Development Act of 2019, the Secretary, in collaboration with industry partners and institutions of higher education, shall support an initiative for demonstration of enhanced geothermal systems for power production or direct use.
							(B)
Projects
 (i)
In general
Under the initiative described in subparagraph (A), demonstration projects shall be carried out in locations that are commercially viable for enhanced geothermal systems development, while also considering environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Secretary.
 (ii)
Requirements
Demonstration projects under clause (i) shall— (I)collectively demonstrate—
 (aa)different geologic settings, such as hot sedimentary aquifers, layered geologic systems, supercritical systems, and basement rock systems; and
 (bb)a variety of development techniques, including open hole and cased hole completions, differing well orientations, and stimulation mechanisms; and
 (II)to the extent practicable, use existing sites where subsurface characterization or geothermal energy integration analysis has been conducted.
 (iii)
Eastern demonstration
Not less than 1 demonstration project carried out under clause (i) shall be located in an area east of the Mississippi River that is suitable for enhanced geothermal demonstration for power, heat, or a combination of power and heat.
.
 
6.
Cost sharing and proposal evaluation
Section 617(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17196) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.
		
7.
Advanced geothermal computing and data science research and development
 (a)
In general
Section 618 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17197) is amended to read as follows:
				
					
618.
Advanced geothermal computing and data science research and development
 (a)
In general
The Secretary shall carry out a program of research and development of advanced computing and data science tools for geothermal energy.
 (b)
Programs
The program authorized in subsection (a) shall include the following: (1)
Advanced computing for geothermal systems technologies
Research, development, and demonstration of technologies to develop advanced data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related computing tools to assist in locating geothermal resources, to increase the reliability of site characterization, to increase the rate and efficiency of drilling, to improve induced seismicity mitigation, and to support enhanced geothermal systems technologies.
 (2)
Geothermal systems reservoir modeling
Research, development, and demonstration of models of geothermal reservoir performance and enhanced geothermal systems reservoir stimulation technologies and techniques, with an emphasis on accurately modeling heat flow, permeability evolution, seismicity, and operational performance over time, including collaboration with industry and field validation.
 (c)
Coordination
In carrying out these programs, the Secretary shall ensure coordination and consultation with the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, coordination of these activities with the Department of Energy National Laboratories, institutes of higher education, and the private sector.
.
 (b)
Conforming amendment
Section 1(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17001 note) is amended in the table of contents by amending the item related to section 618 to read as follows:
				
					
						Sec. 618. Advanced geothermal computing and data science research and development..
			
8.
Geothermal workforce development
 (a)
In general
Section 619 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17198) is amended to read as follows:
				
 
619.
Geothermal workforce development
The Secretary shall support the development of a geothermal energy workforce through a program that—
 (1)facilitates collaboration between university students and researchers at the national laboratories; and
 (2)prioritizes science in areas relevant to the mission of the Department through the application of geothermal energy tools and technologies.
.
 (b)
Conforming amendment
Section 1(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17001 note) is amended in the table of contents by amending the item related to section 619 to read as follows:
				
					
						Sec. 619. Geothermal workforce development..
 
9.
Reporting requirements
Section 621 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17200) is amended to read as follows:
			
				
621.
Reports
 (a)
Report
Every 5 years after the date of enactment of Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019 , the Secretary shall report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate on advanced concepts and technologies to maximize the geothermal resource potential of the United States.
 (b)
Progress reports
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the results of projects undertaken under this part and other such information the Secretary considers appropriate.
.
		
10.
Repeals
 (a)
In general
Subtitle B of title VI of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17191 et seq.) is amended by striking section 620.
 (b)
Conforming amendment
Section 1(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17001 note) is amended in the table of contents by striking the item related to section 620.
 
11.
Authorization of appropriations
Section 623 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17202) is amended to read as follows:
			
 
623.
Authorization of Appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the programs under the Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019— (1)$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
 (2)$111,125,000 for fiscal year 2021; (3)$122,250,000 for fiscal year 2022;
 (4)$128,375,000 for fiscal year 2023; and (5)$129,500,000 for fiscal year 2024.
.
 
12.
International geothermal energy development
Section 624 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17203) is amended— (1)in subsection (a), to read as follows:
				
 (a)
In general
The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with other appropriate Federal and multilateral agencies (including the United States Agency for International Development) shall support collaborative efforts with international partners to promote the research, development, and demonstration of geothermal technologies used to develop hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal system resources.
					; and
 (2)by striking subsection (c). 
13.
Reauthorization of High Cost Region Geothermal Energy Grant Program
Section 625 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17204) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a)(2), by inserting  or heat after electrical power; and (2)in subsection (e), to read as follows:
				
 (e)
Authorization of appropriations
Out of funds authorized under section 11 of the Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024..