Enhanced geothermal: distinguish a reservoir trial from a power plant
The reservoir and the plant need separate evidence
DOE explains enhanced geothermal systems as an approach to accessing geothermal energy where a naturally productive system is insufficient. A drilling result, circulation test and commercial generation milestone are different evidence stages. A reported subsurface temperature does not by itself establish sustained electricity output or a delivered price.
Read the stage before the capacity
| Stage | Evidence question |
|---|---|
| Resource | Location, temperature method and uncertainty |
| Well and circulation | Test duration, flow, pressure and relevant monitoring |
| Plant | Gross and net generation boundary; operating period |
| Connection | Grid access and any delivery constraint |
| Commercial | Start date, contractual scope and remaining conditions |
| Environment | Applicable permits, monitoring and site-specific findings |
Keep proposed megawatts distinct from measured net generation. Record which costs are disclosed and whether drilling, replacement wells, connection and financing are included. We do not infer a site’s environmental acceptability from the technology label.
A fictional annual-energy assumption
If a hypothetical 10 MW net plant operated at an assumed 90% annual capacity factor, 10 × 8,760 × 0.90 = 78,840 MWh, or 78.84 GWh. This is a non-leap-year arithmetic scenario, not observed performance. Actual operating hours, outages and net output require evidence. A capacity-factor assumption is not a warranty.
A milestone that answers the question
For a procurement question, ask when the plant can deliver the contracted service and which milestones remain conditional. For a technology trial, ask what the test demonstrates and what it leaves untested. The useful next step is a specific missing record, rather than treating every successful well as a completed commercial project.
Sources and scope
- US DOE: enhanced geothermal systems — Technology explanation; not proof that a named project has reached commercial operation.
Sources checked October 10, 2026. AI-assisted research and drafting. The examples, calculations and worksheets are Luminesca editorial work; they are not measured trials, first-hand reporting or an independent certification. Removed announcements presented as operating capacity and universal cost forecasts. Report a specific correction with its source.