CH_01
Next-Generation Geothermal Systems – Beyond Hydrothermal
Conventional geothermal power needs heat, fluid and permeability to coincide naturally, a geological accident rare enough to hold the technology at roughly half a percent of world electricity. Next-generation systems break that dependency: enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) engineer permeability in hot dry rock, advanced geothermal systems (AGS) circulate fluid through sealed closed loops, and superhot rock systems target supercritical fluids above 374 °C that carry five to ten times the enthalpy of conventional steam. Geologic® prepared this review with industry partners.
The review resolves the field's terminology confusion through the IADC reservoir-dependency classification, then tests each technology against the field record: multi-stage stimulation and 90% circulation efficiency at Utah FORGE, power on the grid at Soultz since 2016, the conduction limit that forces closed loops toward 90 km of laterals, and the deep-drilling campaigns at Krafla, Reykjanes, Kakkonda and Larderello that confirmed usable conditions from 427 °C to 517 °C. Economics, induced-seismicity governance, water use, well repurposing, green hydrogen and lithium co-production complete a single decision-ready map of where geothermal goes after hydrothermal.