CCUS Western States

Nevada

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) team is verifying and augmenting existing CO2 point source data sets for Nevada, as well as expanding the assessment of potential geologic CO2 storage in the state by evaluating existing information to identify candidate geologic reservoirs. The team is working closely with colleagues from the 13 partner CUSP states to evaluate the logistics and economics of moving CO2 from large point sources to candidate storage sites. Given the abundant geothermal resources in the state (Fig. 1), the Nevada team is also pursuing research on the evaluation of using supercritical CO2 as a working fluid in geothermal energy production in place of or in combination with water, along with its use in potentially storing CO2 in geologic formations.

Figure 1.a) Map of the geothermal favorability of Nevada based on the distribution of gravity/topographic gradient, crustal dilation, and temperature gradient. Warmer colors equate with higher favorability. The location of geothermal power plants and undeveloped geothermal systems with moderate- and high-temperatures are also shown. 1.b) Map of the geothermal favorability of Nevada in areas with basin depths greater than 1 km. Warmer colors equate with higher favorability. The location of geothermal power plants and undeveloped geothermal systems with moderate- and high-temperatures are also shown. Areas identified with relatively higher geothermal favorability in basins greater than 1 km may be sites of potential CO2 storage from the use of CO2 as a working fluid at existing geothermal power plants or at undeveloped sites identified as geothermal systems.


Contacts:  
Jay Arnone, State Lead
Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
Desert Research Institute (DRI)
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno, NV  89512
Phone: 775-675-7445
Email
Steven Bacon
Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
Desert Research Institute (DRI)
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno, NV  89512
Phone: 775-675-7445
Email
Richard Jasoni
Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
Desert Research Institute (DRI)
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno, NV  89512
Phone: 775-675-7445
Email