The Drill Down – Fall in Love with Geothermal
Estimated read time: 4 minutes
 Director’s Note: What do love and geothermal energy have in common? The warmth they bring to us!
The Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) has started off 2023 right. On January 26, we hosted our latest Quarterly Webinar, where staff provided updates about funding opportunities, project developments, report releases, and more. If you missed the event, check out the slides on our presentations webpage.
Last week, I and several other members of the GTO team attended the Stanford Geothermal Workshop in California to share ideas and progress updates about geothermal reservoir studies and developments. It was so exciting to gather with our geothermal colleagues and see how we’re advancing the capabilities of geothermal technologies on so many fronts!
And, drumroll… we announced $74 million for enhanced geothermal systems pilot demonstrations, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This is GTO's first funding opportunity for geothermal energy following the launch of the Enhanced Geothermal ShotTM—I am so eager to see how this amplifies the firm and flexible nature of geothermal, which has the potential to provide clean, cost-effective energy across the country! Keep an eye out for more to come in this space.
As we continue to champion all things geothermal energy, please know that as always, our DOE.Geothermal@ee.doe.gov inbox is open for questions.
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Lauren Boyd
GTO Acting Office Director
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GTO's Latest
U.S. Department of Energy Announces $74 Million for Enhanced Geothermal Systems Pilot Demonstrations
GTO released a funding opportunity of up to $74 million for several pilot demonstration projects that will demonstrate the efficacy and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The pilot projects will use innovative technology and a variety of development techniques to capture Earth’s abundant heat resources in diverse geologic settings. Through this investment, DOE hopes to demonstrate the growth and ultimate potential for geothermal energy to provide reliable, around-the-clock electricity to tens of millions of homes across the country.
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On February 8, Secretary Granholm touched down in Salt Lake City, Utah, to announce this new geothermal funding opportunity and highlight the ground-breaking work being done at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Utah Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE). “Advances in geothermal are going to help us use the heat beneath our feet to bring clean, renewable power to regions we never thought possible,” said Secretary Granholm. Multiple outlets highlighted the Secretary’s trip and the funding opportunity release, including ABC News, Mirage News, The Salt Lake Tribune, and Univision Salt Lake City.
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Applications for the BIL-funded EGS Pilot Demonstrations will be accepted over multiple rounds. First-round letters of intent are due March 8, 2023, and first-round applications will be due June 16, 2023. (Please note that is a corrected date from what was first shared!) Read our Funding Notice page for a breakdown of key requirements and dates, or download our Quick Guide for tips on how to put together your application. Check out the Teaming Partner List, where interested parties can provide contact information and expertise to form partnerships.
New Analysis Highlights Opportunities to Expand Clean, Affordable Geothermal Power
In January, GTO released a new analysis quantifying the potential of EGS as a widespread renewable energy option in the United States. Prepared by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Enhanced Geothermal Shot Analysis for the Geothermal Technologies Office finds that the goal of significantly expanding EGS deployment by cutting costs 90% to $45 per megawatt-hour by 2035 is ambitious but achievable, with technology advances.
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GTO’s Enhanced Geothermal Shot™ aims to unlock Earth’s nearly inexhaustible heat resources to provide reliable, clean power for U.S. communities and grow a robust domestic geothermal industry. The Enhanced Geothermal Shot Analysis concludes that the United States could affordably capture enough of these resources to provide power to millions of U.S. homes.
DOE Program Will Offer Technical Assistance for Onsite Energy, Including Geothermal
DOE's Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office announced a $23 million funding opportunity that will establish a regional network of Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships to help industrial facilities and other large energy users increase the adoption of onsite energy technologies.
With this announcement, DOE is soliciting applications from entities with expertise in onsite energy—including geothermal heat pumps—who are interested in providing technical assistance services as part of the regional network. The program will accelerate the integration and deployment of clean energy technologies to drive decarbonization, productivity, and competitiveness in the U.S. industrial sector. Learn more about the funding opportunity and register for an informational webinar on February 22, 2023, at 1 p.m. ET.
DOE Launches C2C Program to Help Communities Meet Their Clean Energy Goals
DOE’s new Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program connects local government, electric utilities, and community-based organizations with the immense capabilities of DOE’s national lab complex to help them turn their clean energy goals into reality. With three distinct levels of assistance, ranging from a few weeks to a few years, C2C supports communities transitioning to clean energy systems. Communities that have questions about how geothermal fits into their clean energy plans could especially be a good fit for C2C’s short-term “expert match” offering.
Learn more about the program and apply today.
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