DOE Announces $13 Million to Support Community Geothermal Projects
Last week, GTO released the Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design and Deployment funding opportunity to help reduce domestic energy burdens and fossil fuel dependence. This funding will support community coalitions (community voice, workforce, design/analysis, and deployment expertise) in designing and implementing geothermal heating and cooling systems. If you think your community is ready for geothermal, read our FOA quick guide and join GTO’s informational webinar on July 26 at noon ET to learn more.
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American-Made Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize Finalists
GTO has ended Phase 2 of the Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize by selecting 5 finalists to receive a total of $1.4 million ($280,000 each) and continue to Phase 3. Congratulations to Ellexco – George Washington University; LiSED – Rice University; SelectPureLi – University of Illinois Urban-Champaign; Team TELEPORT – University of Virginia; and University of Utah – University of Utah. In Phase 3, the finalists will validate and demonstrate their planned innovations under the mentorship of an Industry Advisory Panel. Administered by the NREL and funded by GTO, the American-Made Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize is designed to find solutions that de-risk and increase market viability for direct lithium extraction (DLE) from geothermal brines. Advancing DLE technologies furthers our mission to turn the threat of climate change into an opportunity to revitalize the U.S. energy and critical materials supply chain.
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Celebrate 10 years of the Geothermal Data Repository
Happy Birthday to the GDR! The publicly available resource for geothermal stakeholders provides visitors with data on new reports and projects funded by GTO. Because the repository is free to access, it can be used to collaborate and foster networks throughout the geothermal community, which is one of the main reasons we ❤️ the GDR. To celebrate 10 years of the GDR, students are using the GDR to solve geothermal engineering problems by accessing real field data from the Utah FORGE Project for the PIVOT 2022 SPE Datathon event, which will conclude on July 24.
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Help Ensure Federal Investments Support Quality Clean Energy Jobs
Do you want to be a merit reviewer with workforce development, job quality, and labor engagement expertise to inform infrastructure funding for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)? For the first time ever, DOE is requiring that applications for funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to include "Community Benefits Plans." With this requirement, we need public support from a diverse group of people with workforce, job quality, and labor engagement expertise to help review those applications. Read about the entire process.
PIVOT 2022
July 25–29, 2022
Launched in 2020, PIVOT is a conference series that features leaders who are building the future of geothermal energy. The 5-day virtual conference will focus on addressing contemporary geothermal topics through spirited panels, roundtables, competitions, and fireside chats. Check out the sessions below and register now.
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Sean Porse, GTO’s Data, Modeling, and Analysis Lead (currently on detail to DOE’s Office of International Affairs) is moderating a panel, Decarbonizing Heat with Geothermal: An Overview of Major Launches and Initiatives, on Wednesday, July 27 at 10 a.m. ET.
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Jeff Winick, GTO’s Acting Data, Modeling, and Analysis Lead, is participating in a panel discussion, "PIVOT2022: Full Steam Ahead: Geothermal Development on Federal, State, and Private Land," on Friday, July 29 at 3:15 p.m. ET.
Geothermal Rising Conference (GRC)
August 28–31, 2022
GRC, the largest geothermal conference, is next month in Reno, Nevada. Engage with fellow geothermal enthusiasts and stop by GTO’s booth (#318) to meet our staff and learn more about our initiatives. GTO will be sending out a guidebook detailing our involvement in specific sessions in August via email. A recap of GTO’s experience at the conference will be provided in the September edition of The Drill Down.
A selection of sessions with GTO staff include:
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Workshop 1 GOOML Findings: Workshop for industry and academia that details the findings of the Geothermal Operational Optimization with Machine Learning (GOOML) project and how learnings can be applied to operating/new geothermal fields August 30, 12–3 p.m. PT.
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Downhole Instrumentation: Sit down with Lauren Boyd (GTO) and Andrew Wright (Sandia National Laboratories) to learn about downhole instrumentation and why it is essential in evaluating environments in geothermal wells, oil fields, and carbon sequestration applications. This session will focus on instrumentation technology for monitoring and/or evaluating downhole environments.
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Advancing DEI Through Mentorship, Allyship, and Sponsorship: Join Angel Nieto (GTO) and others for a panel on August 31 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. PT about the relationship between allyship, mentorship, and sponsorship and how they may help advance DEI. They address what has worked and what will be instrumental in creating a strong, inclusive culture that drives development, professional growth, and a sense of belonging in the geothermal community and beyond.
Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF)
September 21–23, 2022
Hosted by Pennsylvania. The GCEAF will accelerate clean energy innovation and catalyze deployment for the global energy transition. Learn more about the conference.
Lauren Boyd Speaks at the 56th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium
Lauren Boyd, GTO’s Acting Director, attended the 56th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium hosted by the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) in June. Lauren participated in the Geothermal Energy Panel and discussed GTO’s strategic goals as outlined in the Multi-Year Program Plan as well as GTO’s achievements and open funding opportunities. Check out her slides from the conference.
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Alexis McKittrick Speaks at Association of American State Geologists Conference
Alexis McKittrick, Hydrothermal Resources and Low Temperature & Co-Produced Resources Program Manager, spoke at the Association of American State Geologists conference in June. She presented about the future potential of geothermal energy, highlights within GTO, funding opportunities, and more. View her slides.
Buildings Hub Live: Decarbonizing Buildings with Geothermal Heat Pumps
Check out the first episode of Atlas Public Policy’s new podcast series “Buildings Hub Live,” featuring GTO’s Alexis McKittrick discussing the role of geothermal heat pumps in decarbonizing U.S. buildings. Since space heating, air conditioning, and water heating are responsible for around 70% of U.S. household energy consumption, geothermal heat pumps offer an energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option for home heating and cooling.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Implementation Impact
Watch as Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm discusses how DOE has been advancing historic investments from President Biden’s BIL, a long-overdue investment in our nation’s infrastructure, workers, families, and competitiveness. Through this law, DOE will be allocating more than $62 billion towards delivering a more equitable clean energy future for the American people. Follow BIL’s journey by signing up for email updates to receive the latest news about BIL programs at DOE.
BIL Clean Energy Demonstrations on Mine Lands Request For Information (RFI)
DOE recently issued a RFI to inform a $500-million program funded by BIL to place clean energy demonstration projects on current or former mine lands across the United States. Operated through DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), the Clean Energy Demonstrations on Current and Former Mine Land Program will fund clean energy project— such as geothermal energy—on mine land to benefit communities and their economies, create well-paying jobs, and reduce carbon pollution. Feedback for this RFI is due by August 15 and can be submitted on OCED exchange.
Robert Downey Jr. Joins DOE’s Clean Energy Corps
The “Iron Man” star is here to save the planet! Robert Downey Jr. is helping DOE recruit up to 1,000 new workers focused on climate change and clean energy. Watch as Secretary Granholm and the actor narrate a brilliantly illustrated live animation about how YOU can join the clean energy movement. DOE is looking for scientists, IT specialists, civil engineers, electrical engineers, and more. Apply today! |
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Follow Secretary Granholm’s New LinkedIn Profile
Stay up to date with all things DOE by connecting with Secretary Granholm on LinkedIn. And while you are at it, give the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) a follow to receive more updates about GTO!
The $6 Million Plan: Department of Energy Invests in Geothermal. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be leading the way to increase the use of geothermal energy across federal facilities in the United States. The lab, along with 3 other national labs assisting, will research and lay the groundwork for implementation.
Yet Another Avenue for Trying To Make Federal Buildings Go Green. Federal News Network interviews GTO’s Alexis McKittrick about DOE awarding $6 million to national laboratories. With the goal of the federal government leading by example, the funds will be used to expand the use of geothermal heating and cooling at federal sites.
Five Finalists Announced for DOE Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize. The five finalists of the American-Made Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize identified meaningful solutions that could extract lithium from geothermal brines. For the next year, the teams will work to fabricate and test their prototypes.
US DOE Announces Funding for Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling. The FOA will award $300,000 to $13 million for projects that help communities design and deploy geothermal district heating and cooling systems, create related workforce training, and identify and address environmental justice concerns.
Answer: The abandoned well process and co-production. Read more about the process.
Did we miss your event or an interesting media piece? Please reach out to us at DOE.Geothermal@ee.doe.gov!
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