DATA FOR GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES IN OHIO

Significant shallow geothermal heat pump (GHP) and deeper geothermal energy resources exist in Ohio. For example, abandoned underground mines may represent a large, untapped resource for geothermal heating and cooling in Ohio. Shallow hot-dry rocks, such as the relatively radiogenic basement rocks which rise to less than one km depth in central Ohio, have long been targets for enhanced geothermal systems. Still, the lack of understanding of GHP systems and their high initial costs have hindered the growth of geothermal energy. Important geological material characteristics required to model GHP system performance and scale include depth to bedrock, soil type, thermal conductivity, heat flow, depth to water table, and hydrological properties. The AASG/DOE program administered by Arizona Geological Survey has facilitated the compilation of bottom-hole temperature (BHT), geophysical data, thermal conductivity, and other geologic data. Geothermal data and temperature dependent geophysical and other geological data are becoming increasingly available for improving our understanding of the geological structure and evolution of the Earth, aiding fossil energy exploration and CO₂ sequestration efforts as well as for enhancing high-enthalpy geothermal energy exploration and reducing geotechnical costs associated with GHP systems.