Program Summary听

This program supports projects that will develop new analytical tools for finding and developing geothermal resources and establish the practice of machine learning in geothermal operations. Under this funding opportunity, GTO is interested in two topic areas:

  • Topic 1: Machine Learning for Geothermal Exploration - GTO seeks projects that advance geothermal exploration through the application of machine learning techniques to geological, geophysical, geochemical, borehole, and other relevant datasets. Of particular interest to GTO are projects that will identify data acquisition targets and build community datasets for future work. Research objectives include the following:
    • Developing open community datasets for future work in ML, especially labeled datasets
    • Identifying data acquisition targets (including drilling) with high scientific value for future work
    • Integrating machine learning expertise and practices into the geothermal community
    • Identifying new signatures for detecting hidden geothermal systems
    • Developing new capabilities for characterizing subsurface temperature, permeability, and stress state
  • Topic 2: Advanced Analytics for Efficiency and Automation in Geothermal Operations - GTO seeks projects that apply advanced analytics to power plant and other operator datasets, with the goal of improving operations and resource management. Research objectives include the following:
    • Optimizing power production through power plant/ reservoir monitoring and analytics
    • Implementing predictive maintenance on critical pieces of equipment, both surface and downhole
    • Improving prediction and detection of trouble events
    • Establishing improved data analytical capabilities in geothermal operations

Deadlines

CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MST August 1, 2018

Sponsor Concept Paper Deadline: 3:00pm MST August 23, 2018

Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline (invitation only): 3:00pm MST November 1, 2018

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Concept Paper (2-3 pages): Please include the following elements: project title, specific FOA topic area being addressed, names of all team member organizations, a technology description, and information about the qualifications, experience, and capabilities of the proposed Project Team.
  • Budget Overview (Up to 1 page): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

Advanced Analytics for Efficiency and Automation in Geothermal Operations: Project teams should include an industry partner, or otherwise negotiate access to relevant dataset prior to submitting a full application.

Limited Submission Guidelines

Applicants may only submit up to 2 Concept Papers and one Full Application for each topic area of this FOA.

Award Information and Duration

Topic 1: Machine Learning for Geothermal Exploration:

  • Expected Number of Awards: 4-5
  • Average Award Amount: $500,000 (individual awards may vary between $500,000 - $700,000 脿 maximum $700,000 DOE share)
  • Award Term: up to 24 months

Topic 2: Advanced Analytics for Efficiency and Automation in Geothermal Operations: Maximum of $700,000 DOE share.

  • Expected Number of Awards: 1-3
  • Average Award Amount: $500,000 (individual awards may vary between $500,000 - $700,000 脿 maximum $700,000 DOE share)
  • Award Term: up to 24 months

The cost share must be at least 20% of the total allowable costs for research and development projects and must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law.