OPEN ACCESS TO GEOSCIENCE DATA FOR GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXPLORATION AND ASSESSMENT

The U.S. National Geothermal Data System's (NGDS – www.geothermaldata.org) provides free open access to millions of data records, maps, and reports, sharing relevant geoscience and land use data to propel geothermal development and production in the U.S. Since the NGDS is built using the US Geoscience Information Network (USGIN – http://usgin) data integration framework the system is compliant with international standards and protocols, is scalable, extensible, and can be deployed throughout the world. NGDS currently serves information from hundreds of the U.S. Department of Energy's sponsored development and research projects and geologic data feeds from 60+ data providers in all 50 states, using free and open source software, in a federated system where data owners maintain control of their data. This interactive online system is opening new exploration opportunities and shortening project development by making data easily discoverable, accessible, and interoperable at no cost to users.

Information relevant to geothermal energy (as well as other energy and mineral resources) are currently freely available in more than 30 interoperable data categories including: Active Fault/Quaternary Fault, Borehole Lithology Interval, Direct Use, Fluid Flux Injection and Disposal, Geologic Units, Geothermal Metadata Compilation, Heat Flow, Physical Samples, Radiogenic Heat Production, Thermal Conductivity, Well Fluid Production, Well Tests, Aqueous Chemistry, Borehole Temperature, Drill Stem Tests, Geologic Contacts, Geothermal Area, Geothermal Power Plant Facility, Heat Pump Facility, Powell Cummings Geothermometry, Rock Chemistry, Thermal/Hot Springs, Well Header, Borehole Lithology Intercepts, Contour Lines, Fault Feature / Shear Displacement Geologic Structure, Geologic Reservoir, Geothermal Fluid Production, Gravity Stations, Hydraulic Properties, Power Plant Production, Seismic Event Hypocenter, Volcanic Vents, and Well Logs.

NGDS is now being scaled up for deployment in other geothermal regimes around the world, and its data integration framework, USGIN, for use in petroleum, mineral, and natural hazards applications worldwide.