Research, education and networking at the FORGE Geothermal site near Milford, Utah. Network challenges in a remote but growing outdoor laboratory. Research into enhanced geothermal energy techniques and induced seismicity in Utah's renewable energy corridor.
Geothermal energy is often restricted to areas with underground heat, water and electrical transmission. Heat can always be found, but often the depth restricts how useful geothermal energy is. Enhanced geothermal targets areas that might otherwise be rejected. But, the gotcha is that injecting fluids into wells can often result in seismic activity. The University of Utah Seismograph Stations(UUSS) is part of the FORGE project, focused on monitoring seismic activity caused by enhanced geothermal. UUSS operates a network of instruments in and around the FORGE site. When the project was initially started, this was a radio-quiet zone (relatively speaking). As the project grows and matures, we've seen the radio noise floor increase and other problems crop up that interfere with telemetry. This presentation will focus on some of the technical networking aspects, including partnerships with UETN and Beaver County School District and the STEM-related outreach for the Utah FORGE project.
