▪ Abstract  Geothermal energy technology is reviewed in terms of its current impact and future potential as an energy source. In general, the geothermal energy resource base is large and well distributed globally. Geothermal systems have a number of positive social characteristics (they are simple, safe, and adaptable systems with modular 1–50 MW [thermal (t) or electric (e)] plants capable of providing continuous baseload, load following, or peaking capacity) and benign environmental attributes (negligible emissions of CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulates, and modest land and water use). Because these features are compatible with sustainable growth of global energy supplies in both developed and developing countries, geothermal energy is an attractive option to replace fossil and fissile fuels. In 1997, about 7,000 MWe of base-load generating capacity and over 15,000 MWt of heating capacity from high-grade geothermal resources are in commercial use worldwide. A key question is whether these levels can grow to a point where geothermal energy is more universally available and thus have a significant impact on global energy supplies in the twenty-first century. Such an achievement will require the economic development of low-grade resources. The current status of commercial and emerging technologies for electric power production and direct heat use is reviewed for the major geothermal resources including hydrothermal, geopressured, hot dry rock, and magma. Typically, high-temperature resources (>150°C) provide base-load generating capacity while lower-temperature resources provide energy for geothermally assisted heat pumps and for direct use in domestic, agricultural, and aquacultural heating applications. Critical development issues relating to resource quality and distribution, drilling costs, and reservoir productivity are discussed in the context of their economic impact on production costs. Advanced drilling and improved heat mining methods are suggested as approaches to increase the worldwide use of geothermal energy by reducing field development costs. With these improvements, lower-grade resources can compete in growing global energy markets that are currently controlled by abundant and low-cost fossil fuels.

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The United States faces a paradox: Although the acknowledged world leader in scientific discoveries, it lags behind Japan and several Western Nations in the ability to move technological innovations rapidly out of the laboratory and convert them into commercially viable produ'cts. There exists a long list of products in areas as diverse as computer science, energy technology, automotive design, and consumer electronics where the United States has been unable to capitalize fully on the genius and inventiveness of its research and development community. The reasons behind this paradox are many, and involve all levels and sectors in the chain of invention, innovation, production, and commercialization. A critical link in the process of bringing new innovations to the marketplace is the R&D manager. It is the R&D manager who 'lives" with the research, who initiates and provides the much needed early push and the sustained support to move innovations successfully into the hands of industry and ultimately to the consumer. The R&D manager can have a significant impact on the ability of a Nation to transfer leading-edge technology from the laboratory into the international marketplace. The United States government is the single largest sponsor of R&D. The managers of Federallyfunded research and development efforts have a special obligation for ensuring the timely transfer of technology to the private sector marketplace. Indeed the rationale and the justification for government-sponsored non-military R&D are based on the premise of eventual commercial applications of research results. As the stewards of research undertaken for the public's benefit, research managers must ensure that significant benefits flow from Federal research investments in a timely manner. Usually this will occur only if conscious and systematic efforts are undertaken to facilitate the technology transfer process. Managing a successful technology transfer program requires detailed knowledge of effective technology transfer strategies and methods. This publication provides a broad background in a simple, straightforward manner for everyone interested in the technology transfer process. It is my belief that Movinq R&D to the Marketplace-A Guidebook for Technoloqv Transfer Manaciers will serve as a valuable and handy reference. It demystifies jargon and suggests practical, common sense approaches. It presents a Gariety of strategies for accomplishing technology transfer and provides clear examples for the reader, as well as an extensive set of checklists and information sources for day-today use. This guidebook will help R&D managers fulfill their important role in improving US. competitiveness in the world market. I recommend it highly as a standard reference guide to R&D managers and to decision-makers in both the public and private sectors.

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