Geothermal Technologies Office

The Drill Down: Let’s Keep Rocking

Estimated read time: 11 minutes 

Director’s Note: The Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) is rocking! If you receive our email updates, you may already know that GTO’s summer was filled with new opportunities, conferences, and announcements. If you’re not already part of our network, subscribe to get regular email updates on the latest news from GTO.

Last month, members of our office were able to attend the Geothermal Rising Conference (GRC) in Reno, Nevada. I left the conference feeling inspired and empowered by the amount of growth and enthusiasm in the geothermal industry. My favorite part? Meeting stakeholders in person and answering questions about all things geothermal! And handing out giant checks!

At GRC, I received a number of stakeholder questions about DOE’s Energy Earthshots, and whether there was something planned for geothermal. And surprise! About a week after the conference, we officially announced the Enhanced Geothermal Shot, which aims to significantly lower the cost of geothermal energy by 2035. Not only am I excited about this, but Secretary Granholm is our biggest champion. 

Looking ahead, Alexis McKittrick and I will be moderating panels during a geothermal business forum at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF) in Pittsburgh on Sept. 22, and I will be on a geothermal panel at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition in Houston on Oct. 3. Please check those out if you can!

Last but not least, it’s time to register for the next GTO quarterly webinar. A big part of this quarter’s rundown will be about the Shot, so please tune in. And we’ll also cover recent funding opportunities and selections, as well as noteworthy updates that you won’t want to miss. We hope you can join us on Oct. 6 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET. If you would like to submit questions for GTO’s consideration as part of the upcoming webinar, please submit those by Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. ET to doe.geothermal@ee.doe.gov. See you there!

                                                                         —GTO Acting Office Director Lauren Boyd

Trivia: Currently, how many gigawatts of electricity does geothermal energy provide in the United States?

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Important EERE Funding Opportunity Exchange Update: Beginning Oct. 1,* all applicants will need to have a Login.gov account to access eXCHANGE and apply to open opportunities. Users can use login.gov now as an optional log-in method to get familiar with the new process. Read more.

*Date is tentative and subject to change.

Announcements

GTO Launches New Energy Earthshot to Slash the Cost of Geothermal Power

GTO released a new Earthshot to make enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) a widespread renewable energy option in the U.S. by cutting its cost by 90% to $45 per megawatt hour by 2035. The Enhanced Geothermal Shot seeks to unlock the Earth’s nearly inexhaustible heat resources to provide reliable, clean power to American communities and expand opportunities for a robust domestic geothermal industry. With research and innovation to advance EGS, this renewable powerhouse is capable of powering over 40 million American homes. The Enhanced Geothermal Shot will build on GTO’s EGS research and development and demonstration work, including FORGE. Learn more about the Enhanced Geothermal Shot.

Geothermal Manufacturing Prize Winners

At the 2022 GRC, GTO’s Lauren Boyd announced the winners of the American-Made Geothermal Manufacturing Prize, a $4.65 million competition to incentivize innovators to use 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, to address the challenges associated with operating sensitive equipment in harsh geothermal environments. At the conference, five teams demonstrated how their tools and technologies would support the advancement of geothermal energy. Ultimately, Team Downhole Emerging Technologies and Team Ultra-High Temperature Logging Tool were named the American-Made winners and took home the cash prizes. GTO looks forward to watching the continued success of the winners and all of the prize participants.

DOE’s First Roadmap to Equity and Justice

DOE is embarking on a range of efforts focused on identifying barriers for underserved communities to access programs, benefits, services, or procurement opportunities, and to further the Biden Administration’s whole-of-government approach to advance equity. In order to support these efforts, DOE created the first-ever Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan. This plan outlines departmental actions to sustain an inclusive and accessible work environment by strengthening recruitment, retention, and promotion practices while removing inequitable barriers to advancement and development opportunities.

Remembering Dr. Philip Wannamaker

A pillar of the geothermal community, Dr. Philip Wannamaker, passed away suddenly on August 22. Over the years, Dr. Wannamaker was a critical part of multiple GTO projects, including the Play Fairway Analysis, magnetotelluric acquisition and inversion, and Utah FORGE, just to name a few. He was a prolific researcher, working in the geothermal industry for over 40 years, and a renowned professor in electromagnetic geophysics at the University of Utah. GTO encourages you to learn about his research and legacy.

GTO’s Experience at the Geothermal Rising Conference

Last month, members of GTO attended the 2022 GRC, the largest annual gathering of the geothermal community, to engage with stakeholders in-person. GTO staff and awardees spoke on panels and presented technical papers, and also participated in face-to-face interactions with old colleagues and friends for the first time in two years. During the conference, the GTO booth showcased new resources, including ‘office hours’ for GTO staff and leadership, Geothermal Everywhere postcards, and our immersive Lithium StoryMap. And now, the countdown to the 2023 GRC begins!

Watch the Recorded Justice40 Webinar

The Justice40 initiative serves to integrate justice into transforming the energy system for disadvantaged communities using a whole-of-government approach. In August, Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm and Director Shalanda Baker hosted a webinar to kick off Justice40 week and introduce how DOE is implementing the Justice40 initiative. Watch as representatives across DOE’s office highlight their programs, including those funded by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Upcoming Events

Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF)

Hosted by DOE in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, the GCEAF conference aims to accelerate clean energy innovation and catalyze deployment for the global energy transition. Join Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sept. 21–23, for a three-day event featuring discussions with energy and science experts from 31 countries, technology demonstrations, and other activities. GTO’s Lauren Boyd and Alexis McKittrick will be moderating panels during the Geothermal Business Forum at the conference on Sept. 22 from 1:15 p.m.– 4:15 p.m. Registration is free.

EERE Virtual Career Fairs

Join EERE for a virtual career fair, the STEMtember Sessions: Careers in Clean Energy, a networking opportunity during which EERE team members will discuss their diverse roles in renewable power, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, and business operations. You do not need a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) to work in clean energy, so come with questions and get ready to learn about how you can help build a clean energy future as a Clean Energy Champion.  

Register today:

Sept. 22, 1–3 p.m. ET – Careers in EERE: Energy Efficiency  

Sept. 29, 12–2 p.m. ET – Careers in EERE: Business Operations

GTO’s Quarterly Webinar

Join GTO for a quarterly webinar on Thursday, Oct. 6 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET to hear from our Acting Office Director, Lauren Boyd and other key staff members from our office. Learn about our office’s funding opportunities, new releases (including the Enhanced Geothermal Shot), and more. Register now to attend GTO’s quarterly webinar and submit questions for consideration to doe.geothermal@ee.doe.gov by Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. ET.

Clean Energy on Mine Land Workshops

Join DOE for workshops to inform the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land in preparation for a future FOA. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $500 million for demonstrating the technical and economic viability of carrying out clean energy projects, including geothermal projects, on current and former mine lands across America.

• The in-person workshop focusing on the western United States is set for October 11–12 at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, CO. Register here.
• The virtual workshop is set for October 25–26. Register here.

2022 Hispanic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program

Do you want to learn about free, valuable resources available to inventors and entrepreneurs? If so, join the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) online Wednesday, October 12, from 1-4 p.m. ET, for the 2022 Hispanic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program.

This free event is open to all. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from successful Hispanic innovators about their creative and business journeys. You’ll also hear from experts about resources and funding that can help you on your own journey.

The Hispanic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program series is presented by the USPTO’s Office of Innovation Outreach. For more information, please contact HispanicInnovation@uspto.gov.

In Case You Missed It

GTO’s Lithium StoryMap and the Future of Electrification

Explore the perfect tool to uncover the relationship between geothermal and lithium extraction and learn why DOE is investing in domestic research and development. Use the Lithium StoryMap platform to scroll through the role of lithium in renewable energy today, learn how the critical material is currently obtained, and explore why the Salton Sea region of California may prove to be a key domestic source—with a little help from geothermal energy. As lithium demand continues to grow, geothermal energy may soon play a greater role in our lives and in the green economy.

Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design and Deployment

In July, GTO released the Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design and Deployment funding opportunity to help communities incorporate geothermal heating and cooling technologies into their infrastructure. 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 to learn more. Applications are due Oct. 11, 2022.

GEODE Funding Opportunity: Up to $165 million to Expand U.S. Geothermal Energy Deployment 

GTO will provide $10 million to form a consortium of experts to develop a roadmap for addressing technology and knowledge gaps in geothermal energy, based on best practices used within the oil and gas industry. GTO will then use this roadmap to fund up to an additional $155 million in research to fill those gaps. This funding opportunity supports President Biden’s priorities to deploy clean energy sources to combat climate change, strengthen our energy independence, and create well-paying jobs. Read our FOA quick guide and learn more. Applications for GEODE are due by Oct. 28, 2022.

FORGE Announces up to $44 Million to Advance Enhanced Geothermal Systems

In August, the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) announced up to $44 million for testing and evaluation of new and innovative EGS tools and technologies. Up to 17 awards may be issued under the solicitation to improve drilling, stimulation, flow testing, and reservoir analysis for EGS. Managed by the University of Utah, FORGE is GTO’s dedicated field laboratory for developing technologies to create, sustain, and monitor EGS reservoirs. The site uses testing and R&D to help reduce uncertainty and risk for commercial development of EGS technologies. For detailed information about the solicitation, visit the FORGE website.

White House Webinar on Equitable Procurement Webinar & Resources

In August, the White House hosted a 30-minute webinar on understanding the President’s vision for a more equitable and resilient Federal procurement system. More than 3,500 members of the acquisition workforce heard senior acquisition thought leaders and front-line contracting officers highlight strategies that agencies can take to meet and exceed the goal of awarding at least 11 percent of contract spend funds to small, disadvantaged businesses in Fiscal Year 2022. View the informational webinar and find additional resources about advancing equity in procurement.

Social Spotlight

Follow Along as GTO Promotes #GeothermalEverywhere Postcards

From the Salton Sea to Beaver County, Utah, GTO is bringing geothermal everywhere. Recently, the office launched ‘Geothermal Everywhere’ postcards to highlight key program initiatives across the office. Interact with the Geoflight and GEODE postcards on the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Twitter and learn more about GTO’s priorities. Stay tuned for more postcards to collect throughout the year!

Geothermal Energy Around the Web

The Energy of the Future Is Thousands of Years Old. GTO’s Lauren Boyd digs into the future of geothermal energy, mechanisms to obtain the renewable energy source, and the return on investment for heat pumps.

US Department of Energy Announces Results of 3D Printed Geothermal Application Competition. The winners of the American-Made Geothermal Manufacturing Prize, Team Downhole Emerging Technologies and Team Ultra-High Temperature Logging Tool, were awarded $500,000 in cash and will receive additional funding to perform testing.

Geothermal Bubbles Up as Another Way to Fight Climate Change. Since geothermal heat pumps could reduce the emissions created by natural gas furnaces and other fossil fuel-based heating systems, some lawmakers are promoting the adoption of geothermal heating and cooling.

Massachusetts City to Pilot Geothermal Heating Network. A pilot project in Massachusetts is underway to test replacing gas pipeline networks with thermal energy pipes, also known as ‘geo-grids,’ to work toward a carbon-free future.

Will California’s Desert, Salton Sea be Transformed into Lithium Valley? The California Energy commission is determining if lithium is capable of being extraction from geothermal brines while locals promote environmental justice in the Salton Sea region.

Innovative Packer and Logging Tools Win US DOE Geothermal Manufacturing Prize. Two teams from Houston, Texas were selected as the winners of the Geothermal Manufacturing Prize, funded by GTO. Both winners used 3D-printed tools to help improve the performance of geothermal tools and equipment in harsh geothermal conditions.

INGENIOUS Project Completes Geothermal Datasets for Great Basin Region. The Geothermal Data Repository (GDR) now contains all the datasets complied by the INGENIOUS project, aiming to accelerate the discovery of new and commercially viable hidden geothermal systems while reducing exploration and development risks.

Biden’s Big Geothermal Bet. To cut the costs of new geothermal technology to promote commercial adoption, GTO announced Geothermal Enhanced Earthshot. POLITICO looks at why geothermal energy resources have been largely untapped, how the Biden administration plans to expand its use, and which communities will most benefit from it.   

A Utah Startup Is Making a ‘Treasure Map’ for Geothermal Energy. Zanskar, a data-analysis startup company, constructs a software model of wells and predicts energy output. So far, the company has mapped reservoir volume, rock density and magnetic fields for hundreds of geothermal sites.

Biden's Energy Secretary travels to Houston to Tout Geothermal Energy Investments Ahead of Midterms. (Behind paywall) GTO’s Doug Blankenship discusses future plans for geothermal energy, including how DOE aims to make enhanced geothermal systems a widespread renewable energy option in the U.S. by 2035.

Could Geothermal Become a Major Zero-emissions Player? On the Catalyst with Shayle Kann podcast, Jamie Beard, executive director of Project InnerSpace, discusses expanding geothermal energy on a global scale and the major questions faced by the industry that will need to be addressed.

'We Need to Not have all our Eggs in one Basket': Why Geothermal Could be a Game Changer. The power source available 24/7, geothermal energy, has the potential to produce as much as 5% of the national electricity supply using existing technology. In order to scale up the industry, public support is crucial.

Largest-ever Geothermal Grid Under this Texas Housing Development is Saving Homeowners Serious Money. A community in Texas built atop a geothermal grid provides promising results for the future of renewable energy. The blueprint for greener living is saving residents thousands of dollars and offers the potential to receive tax credits.

Residential complex being built atop the largest geothermal project in NYC. Developer LCOR is currently constructing a two-tower residential complex in Coney Island that will have its heating and cooling supplied by what will become the largest geothermal system in New York City.

Answer: Geothermal energy currently provides 3.7 gigawatts of electricity in the United States. Read more.

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