Ohio Geological Survey

ODNR Division of Geological Survey to Play Key Role in Geothermal Energy Exploration

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Geological Survey will join a coalition of 40 state geological surveys in a national search for renewable geothermal energy.

On October 29, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu announced awards totaling $338 million for geothermal energy exploration across the country, including the population of a comprehensive geothermal resource data system by state geological surveys to help identify and assess new fields of geothermal technology.

The Association of American State Geologists (AASG) organized a coalition of 40 state geological surveys, including Ohio’s, to populate a new National Geothermal Data System with relevant state-specific geothermal data. The project will receive $17.79 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) over three years and includes the U.S. Geological Survey, Microsoft Research, and Energistics, Inc., a petroleum industry consortium, as partners.

As a member of the geothermal coalition, the ODNR Division of Geological Survey will be collecting data from across the state that will aid industry in the identification and development of geothermal energy and integrating the data into the National Geothermal Data System.

“New low-temperature technologies now make geothermal power generation in Ohio plausible, but more research is needed,” said Senior Geologist Erik Venteris. “It’s exciting to be part of this national effort among all the state geological surveys to address such a critical energy need for the state and the country.”

Compiling state-specific geothermal data in an integrated, distributed and searchable data system should drive renewed efforts to identify, assess and utilize geothermal energy resources across the United States. The national collaboration of state and federal agencies, universities and industry has the potential to reshape the country’s energy landscape, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leverage non-renewable petroleum resources well into the twenty-first century.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.