The western Great Basin in the western U.S. belongs to the regions with the worldwide highest geothermal potential. One key issue in geothermal development is the definition of site specific exploration strategies. In collaboration with the UNR, we will contribute to the characterization of fractured reservoir rocks in order to understand the structural controls on fluid flow. Our approach will include 3D structural geological modeling, stress field determination based on surface and subsurface data and fault stress modeling of complex fault systems applying the slip tendency analysis.