Geothermal Technologies Office

The Drill Down: May Geothermal Lead the Way

Estimated read time: 7 minutes 

Earlier this month, Dr. Susan Hamm started an exciting new detail as the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Director for Integrated Strategies. She will be working to institutionalize EERE’s approach to energy and environmental justice, diversity, workforce, and community energy transitions across the organization. During this time, the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) welcomes Lauren Boyd as Acting Office Director. Many of you may know her from her role as Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Program Manager and have had the pleasure working with her during her 13-year tenure in GTO. Best wishes to Dr. Hamm, and thank you to Lauren for taking on this role!

Director’s Note: I am excited to step into the role of Acting Office Director at such a pivotal point for geothermal energy. We are continuing to strive toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, create millions of good-paying jobs through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and advance geothermal deployment to ensure that no community will be left out of our clean energy future. Register for the next GTO quarterly webinar on June 9 to hear more about our plans and goals, plus new funding opportunity updates and all the hot things going on with geothermal. We’re going to have a busy summer!

Speaking of HOT, we recently released a notice of intent (NOI) to provide $13 million to heat and cool communities. The Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design and Deployment funding opportunity will reduce dependence on fossil fuels, provide local jobs, and offer energy solutions to disadvantaged communities all over the nation, so stay tuned for more!                                                 —Acting Office Director Lauren Boyd

Fun Fact: What U.S. city has the oldest geothermal district heating installation, dating from 1892?

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Announcements

GTO Announces Intent to Release $13 Million to Support Community Geothermal Projects

GTO intends to issue the Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design and Deployment funding opportunity to help reduce energy burden and fossil fuel dependence in American communities. Heating and cooling represent significant energy needs for American homes and businesses and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through the direct use of fossil fuels and electricity use. This intended funding opportunity will support community coalitions with community, workforce, design/analysis, and deployment expertise to implement geothermal heating and cooling systems. For more information about this potential opportunity, read the full NOI.

Last Call: Join a Team for the Geothermal Drilling Technology Demonstration Campaign

Earlier this year, GTO announced $20 million to demonstrate technologies to reduce the costs and time of drilling in geothermal environments. GTO is seeking applications from drilling service providers, well service companies, research institutions, geothermal operators and developers, and any entity that can bring real-world solutions to geothermal drilling. Letters of intent to be the Prime Applicant were due in April. If you didn’t submit a letter of intent but want to join a team, sign up for the Teaming Partner List! The list allows organizations who wish to participate in an application, but do not wish to apply as the Prime FOA applicant to be considered as a potential applicant and to explore potential partners. Applications are due by June 3.

Energy Storage for Everyone, Everywhere 

The U.S. Department of Energy issued a request for information (RFI) on how best to use $505 million to create an initiative supporting widespread U.S. long-duration energy storage. The initiative is directed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to increase around-the-clock availability of clean electricity and help ramp up affordable and reliable energy storage technologies. Email your feedback to EnergyStorage41001RFI@ee.doe.gov by 5 p.m. ET on June 16. Learn more about this RFI and attend an informational webinar. 

Prizes and Competitions

Congratulations to the 2022 Geothermal Collegiate Competition Winners

On May 17, GTO and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced the 2022 Geothermal Collegiate Competition (GCC) winners. The competition challenged students to design heating and cooling systems for buildings, campuses, or entire communities, resulting in them gaining skills that prepare them to join the clean energy workforce. Congratulations to the winners for creating innovative geothermal solutions and raising awareness about the renewable energy source. The Sooners Geothermal Team from the University of Oklahoma won the first-place prize of $10,000; the University of North Dakota won second place of $5,000; and the University of Colorado-Boulder won third for $2,500. Read more.

Geothermal Geophone Prize Launch

On Earth Day, GTO launched the Geothermal Geophone Prize. The prize, which provides $3.65 million in total incentives, engages with the nation’s innovators and entrepreneurs to fast-track innovation in seismic sensors in support of EGS. Downhole seismic sensors, also known as geophones, help researchers and industry professionals better understand and track changes in the subsurface during EGS stimulation.

Upcoming Events

GTO’s Virtual Peer Review

GTO has two sessions of the 2022 Peer Review left! Register now to tune in on May 24 and 26 to hear presentations about GTO-funded projects. If you have questions, email GTOPeer-Review2022@ee.doe.gov. View the full agenda.

GTO Quarterly Webinar 

Join GTO’s virtual quarterly webinar on June 9 at 1:30 p.m. ET to hear Acting Director Lauren Boyd and GTO leadership share office updates, events, and highlight ongoing programs. Submit questions at DOE.Geothermal@ee.doe.gov and register to attend. 

In Case You Missed It

Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize Phase 2 Live Pitches

The American-Made Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize, funded by GTO, is designed to de-risk and increase market viability for technologies that can directly extract lithium from geothermal brines. The three-phase competition accelerates efforts to identify, develop, and test solutions for the geothermal industry while offering $4 million in total prizes to multiple winners. Watch the prize semifinalists pitch their innovations in session 1 and session 2 as they close out phase 2 of the competition. Stay tuned this summer to find out which teams make it to phase 3 as a prize finalist!

Energy Speaker Series: Geothermal Energy in Alaska 

In April, NREL staff presented on geothermal energy as part of the Renewable Energy Alaska Project’s (REAP) Spring Speaker Series. Watch as Amanda Kolker, Laboratory Program Manager of geothermal technologies, and Caity Smith, Geothermal Project Manager, talk about recent developments in geothermal energy in Alaska. As part of a larger GTO-funded outreach effort in Alaska, Kolker also spoke about geothermal to the Homer Electric Association’s Board of Directors on April 12.

Four Ways We’re Investing in a Clean Energy Future This Earth Day 

In a recent blog, EERE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Power Alejandro Moreno discusses different ways EERE is investing in a clean energy future. From accelerating deployment of renewable energy to releasing funding opportunities, investing in the planet stays at the forefront of EERE’s work. Read the full blog.  

Geothermal Energy Around the Web

Answer: Boise, Idaho  

Did we miss your event or an interesting media piece? Please reach out to us at DOE.Geothermal@ee.doe.gov!