Where the Heat Is: USU Geologists Receive $4.9M in Stimulus Funding
By Utah State University
November 28, 2009
Utah State University is leading the way in a federally funded $4.6 million-dollar geothermal drilling project that will create dozens of jobs and student research opportunities while simultaneously fueling energy development and deciphering the Snake River Plain’s volcanic history. A separate $300,000 project will advance carbon capture and storage technologies while providing innovative student training opportunities.
Utah State University is leading the way in a federally funded $4.6 million-dollar geothermal drilling project that will create dozens of jobs and student research opportunities while simultaneously fueling energy development and deciphering the Snake River Plain’s volcanic history. A separate $300,000 project will advance carbon capture and storage technologies while providing innovative student training opportunities.
John Shervais, professor and head of USU’s Department of Geology, is project director for the recently announced “Snake River Geothermal Drilling Project — Innovative Approaches to Geothermal Exploration,” one of 123 projects awarded Recovery Act funding by the U.S. Department of Energy. The USU-led venture is one of 24 selected “Innovative Exploration and Drilling Projects” focused on the development of new geothermal fields using innovative sensing, exploration and well-drilling technologies.
“The project creates extraordinary hands-on learning projects for students and paves the way for larger, continuing geothermal research projects for USU,” Shervais says.
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