EGS development could expand US geothermal energy capabilities and extend the use of geothermal energy into new geographic areas across the country. The selected projects are part of DOE's efforts to deploy innovative solutions to help achieve the Biden-Harris Administration's goals of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a carbon-free grid by 2035.
"Tapping into geothermal energy — a clean and reliable energy source underneath our feet that is available in all corners of this country — is a key part of our plan to expand and diversify America's clean energy market," said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.
"The ground-breaking solutions we're anticipating from the selected national laboratory and university research teams will help America achieve a clean energy economy while creating good-paying jobs and bolstering America's energy workforce."
This funding will help develop and deploy technologies and techniques that will enable efficient and lower-cost geothermal heat production. Through this investment, DOE will advance its goals of driving down EGS costs and accelerating the path toward widespread commercialisation. Through technology improvement, geothermal power generation could increase 26-fold, deploying 60 gigawatts-electric of clean energy by 2050 that could power as many as 60 million homes.
The selectees include:
- Cornell University: US$2.3 million
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: US$1.7 million
- Missouri University of Science and Technology: US$2.3 million
- Montana State University: US$1.5 million
- Oklahoma State University: US$1.0 million
- Pennsylvania State University, University Park: US$1.0 million
- University of New Mexico: US$2.0 million
From investing US$14.5 million earlier this year to testing enhanced geothermal systems within existing wells, to continued research around applying machine learning techniques to geothermal exploration, DOE is committed to advancing technologies that rapidly increase geothermal development while pushing the frontiers of science and investing in projects that support equity, inclusion, and a clean energy future for all Americans.
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