Water Use and Next-Generation Geothermal

The document examines water use in next-generation geothermal systems, including enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), closed-loop geothermal systems (CLGS), and Superhot Rock (SHR) geothermal. It distinguishes between water withdrawal and consumption, noting that while water is essential, innovations can minimize its use. Key findings indicate that approximately 90% of next-generation geothermal can use non-freshwater sources and that air-cooled binary systems significantly reduce water consumption compared to wet-cooled steam systems. The document highlights a trade-off where the most water-efficient systems are often the most capital-intensive. Recommendations include increasing the use of alternative water sources, deploying CLGS and air-cooled technologies, and improving transparency in water usage reporting.

• Next-generation geothermal energy can be developed using non-freshwater sources, such as municipal wastewater or brackish groundwater, for approximately 90% of its capacity according to the U.S. Department of Energy's GeoVision study.
• Next-generation geothermal, encompassing closed-loop geothermal systems (CLGS) and enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), has the potential to meet nearly 10% of U.S. electricity needs while utilizing only about 1% of the water typically used by the power sector, per the 2024 Pathways to Commercial Liftoff report.
• Water consumption varies significantly by technology: air-cooled binary systems minimize water use (comparable to wind and solar) but are more capital-intensive, whereas wet-cooled steam generation systems are more cost-effective per megawatt hour but consume substantially more water, particularly at the surface.
• Operational water consumption in EGS occurs primarily underground (over 90% in air-cooled binary systems), while CLGS are intended to reduce this belowground loss to nearly zero.
• Superhot Rock (SHR) systems are expected to retain more water because higher temperatures and pressures change rock structures, reducing the amount of water that can pass through harder bedrock.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (2026). Water Use and Next-Generation Geothermal. https://www.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/water-use-fact-sheet.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Water Use and Next-Generation Geothermal. 2026. https://www.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/water-use-fact-sheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Water Use and Next-Generation Geothermal |date=April 2026 |url=https://www.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/water-use-fact-sheet.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforce2026water, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Water Use and Next-Generation Geothermal}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2026}, month = apr, url = {https://www.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/water-use-fact-sheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }