ENHANCED GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

SEC. 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) Programs.—(1) Enhanced geothermal systems technologies.—The Secretary shall support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of the technologies and knowledge necessary for enhanced geothermal systems to advance to a state of commercial readiness, including advances in—121 STAT. 1681(A) reservoir stimulation;(B) reservoir characterization, monitoring, and modeling;(C) stress mapping;(D) tracer development;(E) three-dimensional tomography; and(F) understanding seismic effects of reservoir engineering and stimulation.(2) Enhanced geothermal systems reservoir stimulation.—(A) Program.—In collaboration with industry partners, the Secretary shall support a program of research, development, and demonstration of enhanced geothermal systems reservoir stimulation technologies and techniques. A minimum of 4 sites shall be selected in locations that show particular promise for enhanced geothermal systems development. Each site shall—(i) represent a different class of subsurface geologic environments; and(ii) take advantage of an existing site where subsurface characterization has been conducted or existing drill holes can be utilized, if possible.(B) Consideration of existing site.—The Desert Peak, Nevada, site, where a Department of Energy and industry cooperative enhanced geothermal systems project is already underway, may be considered for inclusion among the sites selected under subparagraph (A).