Biden–Harris Administration Publicizes $74 Million to Advance Enhanced Geothermal Methods
Pilot Tasks Will Work to Scale EGS, and Assist Present Renewable Geothermal Power to over 65 Million American Houses
Steam coming off of a geothermal plant in a valley. A geothermal plant in Washoe County, Nevada. Picture by Dennis Schroeder, NREL
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Division of Power (DOE) today announced a funding alternative of as much as $74 million for as much as seven pilot tasks that may take a look at the efficacy and scalability of enhanced geothermal methods (EGS). Directed by the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Regulation (BIL), the pilot tasks will use revolutionary know-how and a wide range of growth methods to seize the Earth’s ample warmth assets in numerous geologic settings. Via this funding, DOE hopes the analysis and growth from the findings would exhibit the expansion and supreme potential for geothermal power to supply dependable, around-the-clock electrical energy to tens of tens of millions of properties throughout the nation. That is DOE’s first funding alternative for geothermal power for the reason that launch of the Enhanced Geothermal Shot, a part of DOE’s Energy EarthShots Initiative, which seeks to chop the price of geothermal power 90% by 2035.
“Advances in enhanced geothermal methods will assist introduce geothermal power in areas the place, till not too long ago, the usage of this renewable energy supply was regarded as not possible,” mentioned U.S. Secretary of Power Jennifer M. Granholm. “These pilot demonstrations will assist us understand the large potential of the warmth beneath our toes to ship clear, renewable power to tens of millions of Individuals.”
Geothermal energy at present generates about 3.7 gigawatts of electrical energy in the US, however a new analysis reveals it may present 90 gigawatts of agency, versatile energy to the U.S. grid by 2050, in addition to heating and cooling options nationwide. This substantial geothermal power potential is, nonetheless, largely inaccessible with typical geothermal applied sciences. The usage of geothermal power for electrical energy requires three parts: warmth, fluid, and a permeable part of the Earth’s crust. Whereas warmth exists all over the place underground, many places lack enough water and/or permeability. EGS make use of human-made underground reservoirs to allow the fluid move essential to attract geothermal power to the floor, the place it may be captured to energy properties throughout the nation. Reaching this purpose would make geothermal power a clear, cost-effective choice throughout the nation, whereas spurring progress towards President Biden’s targets of 100% carbon-pollution-free electrical energy by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
Functions for the BIL-funded EGS Pilot Demonstrations shall be accepted over a number of rounds. First-round letters of intent are due March 8, 2023, and first-round functions shall be due July 7, 2023. Study extra and browse the total Funding Opportunity Announcement.
To assist a broad and inclusive vary of entities apply, DOE is offering a voluntary Teaming Accomplice Record the place events can present contact data and their experience to be used in forming partnerships.
Study extra about EGS and different geothermal analysis in DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office.
Courtesy of DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office.
