Exploring data needs for geothermal energy development

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Development of geothermal resources represents an opportunity to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is unclear that current resource assessments and site assessments are appropriate to the end goal of maximizing the potential of this resource. Most of these investigations have focused on measuring temperatures and heat flow but in many cases measurements of subsurface thermal and hydraulic properties are of equal or greater importance. These measurements have not been made in a systematic manner and it is unclear how to optimize the type, number and frequency of any measurement. This research will focus on answering these questions by examining the problem of data worth for existing data collection techniques and strategies. Several novel methods of data collection will also be developed in this research program and they will also be evaluated in the context of data worth.