99-14076. Enhanced Geothermal Systems Project

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 106 (Thursday, June 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29852-29853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14076]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Office of Geothermal 
Technologies


Enhanced Geothermal Systems Project

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of program interest (NOPI).

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SUMMARY: This project will provide for the Enhanced Geothermal Systems 
(EGS) Program Development and operation of an Enhanced Geothermal 
System to augment the power production of a current geothermal field. 
DOE/AL is soliciting comments and expressions of interest in developing 
a cost-shared, industry-led project to develop an EGS to significantly 
augment the electric power production of an existing geothermal field.

DATES: Statements of interest are due on or before July 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Statements of interest should be sent to the following 
address: Department of Energy, Attn: D. A. Sanchez, Albuquerque 
Operations Office/TDD, P. O. Box 5400, Albuquerque, NM 87185-5400.


[[Page 29853]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Grabowski, U.S. Department of 
Energy, EE-12, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, 
[phone], [e-mail]. Mr. Lynn McLarty, Princeton 
Economic Research Inc, Rockville, MD, [phone], 
[e-mail]. Mr. Dan Sanchez, DOE/AL, P.O. Box 5400, 
Albuquerque, NM 87185-5400, [phone], [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Exploitable geothermal energy resources are 
found in many parts of the U.S., and the world. Often within the 
boundaries of these known fields, or at the margins of these fields, 
there often exist regions that contain sufficient heat but lack 
permeability, fluid content, or both. Research has indicated that it 
may be possible to utilize these regions to enhance operating 
geothermal fields, or possibly create new adjacent reservoirs, and 
thereby increase the power produced from the existing field with an 
EGS. Also, research at Los Alamos National Laboratory's Fenton Hill 
site has shown that a stand-alone geothermal reservoir (non-EGS) can be 
created in low-permeability, hot rock with no resident fluid, although 
this has not yet proven to be a commercially viable source of 
electricity. Based on these U.S. research results, and the results of 
several overseas projects, the U.S. DOE believes a domestic EGS can be 
co-developed with US industry, and eventually be commercially 
competitive.
    The purpose of this notice is to obtain a preliminary indication of 
interest by utilities, independent power producers, or industrial 
concerns in cost-sharing the development and operation of a domestic 
EGS that significantly augments the electric power production from an 
existing geothermal field. Comments are solicited from independent 
power producers, utilities, energy companies, well drilling and well 
servicing companies, turbine manufacturers and other businesses with an 
interest in the development of geothermal energy resources. This notice 
is only intended to: decide whether to proceed with a solicitation; 
refine the specifications of the solicitation (currently in 
development); identify potential bidders; promote the formation of 
partnerships or consortia; and stimulate interactions among potential 
participants. At some future date, if a solicitation for this project 
is issued, industry will be invited to specify a site for the project, 
the size and scope of the EGS, a plan for the construction of the EGS, 
and the customers to whom the electric power or thermal energy will be 
sold. DOE expects that the amount of additional power gained from this 
EGS project will be on the order of 5-10% above the electricity 
generating capacity of the original existing field. The plant and its 
revenue will be the property of the successful bidder(s). A portion of 
the cost-sharing, generally that in excess of 40%, may include an 
accounting of in-kind cost participation, equipment or services. The 
federal government's share of any project will be limited to 
approximately $60 million over a period covering the construction of 
the facility and up to two years of operations. DOE will exercise 
appropriate oversight authority, but the day-to-day management of the 
project will be the responsibility of the offeror.
    DOE, through its AL office, requests comments and expressions of 
interest in order to determine the level of interest by private parties 
in the proposed project to build and operate an EGS in an existing 
geothermal field. Moreover, the requested information will help the DOE 
to decide whether to issue a solicitation, refine the specifications of 
the solicitation, and identify potential bidders. Comments, suggested 
modifications, additions, deletions or alternative approaches are 
encouraged and welcome. Proprietary details of responses should be 
identified and will be kept in confidence. Failure to respond to this 
notice will not disqualify any party from responding to any subsequent 
solicitation, but a response will assure that the party receives the 
solicitation and notification of related activities. Expressions of 
interest should not include detailed plans or proposals but should 
include the following: (1) The name, address, telephone number, Email 
address, and facsimile number of the primary contact person; (2) The 
potential participants, their affiliations, their proposed roles, and 
brief documentation of their interest in the project; and (3) a 
statement indicating whether or not the respondent wishes to receive a 
copy of the solicitation. Responses to this notice should not exceed 
five pages in length exclusive of appendices. Responses shall be sent 
to the attention of Mr. Dan Sanchez at the address listed above.
    Copies of the Geothermex, Inc. ``Data Review'' and ``Peer Review'' 
reports on the Fenton Hill Hot Dry Rock project are available to aid 
parties in deciding their level of interest. Copies of these reports 
are available from Princeton Economic Research, Incorporated. Contact 
Mr. Lynn Mclarty at 301-468-8442. Copies of status reports of the 
European Hot Dry Rock Project are available from Roy Baria, or Jorg 
Baumgartner, SOCOMINE Soultz-Sous-Foret, France, 33-8880-5363.

    Issued in Albuquerque, N.M. on May 25, 1999.
D.A. Sanchez,
Technology Development Division.
[FR Doc. 99-14076 Filed 6-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P