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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
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Welcome to the second half of 2024!
Summer is just reaching its peak, but geothermal is already hot to go! Let’s recap some of our most exciting releases so far this year:
The Combined Wellbore Construction High Temperature Tools and Reservoir Thermal Energy Storage (RTES) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) was released way back in January, with $31M in total funding available. Selections are due to be announced later this summer and we are excited to see the vision our awardees have to help improve wellbore integrity evaluation capabilities for geothermal wells and reduce emissions from energy-intensive industrial heating processes.
In March, the Next-Generation Geothermal Power Commercial Liftoff Report showed the massive advances geothermal has made and its potential to be a key player in decarbonized power generation. Cost improvements, technical advances, and successful sustained power production have brought geothermal front and center in conversations on the future of domestic renewable energy, and the report confirms that there’s even more in our future.
We also expect to announce Critical Minerals Lab Call selections this summer. Released in April, this lab call—focused on the Salton Sea and other Known Geothermal Resource Areas (KGRAs)—aims to examine geochemical and thermodynamic properties of rocks in the region, as well as novel drilling techniques and environmental impact research on accessing lithium and other critical minerals.
It seems like just yesterday we were announcing the Geothermal Resources’ Value in Implementing Decarbonization (GRID) FOA, yet here we are with only a week left before Letters of Intent are due. If the geothermal heat hasn’t lit a fire under you to get your work submitted, the looming deadline—and $7M in available funding–certainly will!
Finally, our most recent funding opportunity for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Pilot Demonstrations opened late last month with $14.2M in second-round funding available for projects in the eastern United States. Like the three projects selected in the first round, this second round of funding will continue to move us closer to the extraordinary nationwide potential of EGS. And as an East Coast native, I’m excited to see what the heat beneath *my* feet has to offer us all.
With all this (and more on the way) we might be balancing more than Olympic champion Simone Biles!
As always, I’ll be carrying the torch for Team Geothermal.
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Lauren Boyd
GTO Director
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Trivia Question: What geothermal power plant shares its name with America’s most patriotic bird?
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GTO's Latest
Up to $14.2M from BIL Puts Focus on EGS in the Eastern U.S.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) has announced a funding opportunity of up to $14.2M for EGS pilot demonstrations, funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This second round of funding is dedicated to projects in Topic Area 4, which focuses on finding new and innovative ways to harness “the heat beneath our feet” in the eastern United States. Letters of Intent are due July 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
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GTO GRID FOA Letters of Intent Due July 24
Last month’s major GTO GRID funding announcement is already nearing its first milestone. Make sure your plan for valuation of a clean, geothermal-powered future is heard by submitting your Letter of Intent no later than July 24, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
StoryMap Demonstrates Impacts of Geophysical Imaging
GTO-funded research in Steptoe Valley, Nevada, has resulted in a StoryMap presenting findings for geophysical imaging and stratigraphic hydrothermal resources in the region. The project sought efficient and cost-effective methods to mitigate risk during early phases of geothermal exploration. The results offer a deeper understanding of the northern Steptoe stratigraphic resource, recommendations for geophysical exploration, and publicly available data and models for further evaluation.
Penn State Shakes Up Geothermal with Microquakes Discovery
GTO-funded researchers at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) recently uncovered a new connection between seismic waves produced by microearthquakes and subsurface rock permeability using machine learning. Scientists identified the potential for ideal timing of geothermal energy extraction by measuring the seismicity of these quakes to target areas of increased permeability. This discovery has the potential to drive down costs associated with harnessing geothermal energy while improving overall efficiency. Read more about it in GTO’s Success Story.
Opportunity to Mentor GCC Fall 2024 Students
The Geothermal Collegiate Competition (GCC) is set to open soon and GTO is seeking mentors to support student teams for the 2024 challenge. This year’s competition will focus on designing and planning geothermal district heating and cooling systems and offer both a technical and policy track. Mentors are an essential part of the GCC experience, especially for teams new to geothermal, and the 2023 mentors raved about their experience with GCC students. Mentors should expect to spend 15 hours supporting a team throughout the competition. Interested? Sign up here!
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Headlines Around DOE
Funding for Workforce Development in Energy-Focused Communities
DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management announced $1.4M in federal funding for 14 local organizations and universities representing communities across the country seeking to repurpose their existing energy assets. The selected projects will focus on assessing existing energy infrastructure and revitalizing systems by using the skillsets of the local workforce, allowing for continued economic growth and technological innovation.
DOE Wants YOU to Inform Environmental Justice Strategy
DOE’s Office of Energy Justice and Equity (EJE) has released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking strategic avenues to implement energy justice nationwide. Feedback collected as part of this RFI will be used to inform DOE’s Environmental Justice Strategic Plan and is a piece of the larger initiative created by last year’s environmental justice Executive Order 14096. Interested parties should submit comments by July 31, 2024.
Input Requested for Non-Lithium Long-Duration Energy Storage Pilot Program
DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations issued a Notice of Intent for up to $100M for projects focusing on non-lithium technologies, long-duration (10+ hour discharge) systems, and stationary storage applications. Current renewable energy sources support short duration energy storage; however, as U.S. energy needs grow, long-duration energy storage will be required to ensure grid resilience.
IEDO Launches Framing the Future Photo Contest
Are you handy with a camera and interested in photographing America’s industrial transformation towards a net-zero-emissions economy? Submit your images to the Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization Office’s (IEDO’s) Framing the Future: Industrial Technologies Photo Contest! Photographers of all skill levels have until November 21, 2024, to submit their photos. With prizes up to $2,000, it’s sure to be an exciting competition!
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2024 ATB Webinar | July 23, 2024, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET
The Annual Technology Baseline (ATB) provides a consistent set of technology cost and performance data across a broad spectrum of electricity generation. Register for the webinar to learn about this year’s edition, which features new and improved modeling and data updates on geothermal for researchers, stakeholders, and others interested in sustainable energy.
USDA REAP Funding for Your Geothermal Project | August 20, 2024, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. ET
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have partnered to provide funding to rural small businesses and cooperatives for geothermal projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Interested parties should register to participate in the upcoming 90-minute webinar, where USDA and NREL staff will provide insight into the program and tips for submitting a successful REAP application.
ThinkGeoEnergy Webinar: Utah Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) | August 23, 2024, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. ET
Join this ThinkGeoEnergy webinar with Kevin Jones, acting EGS program manager, to learn the latest on FORGE’s research and how the site is achieving success in drilling, seismic monitoring, data collection, and more.
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Geothermal Rising Conference (GRC) | October 27–30, 2024
Early bird registration is now open for GRC 2024 in Waikoloa, Hawai'i! Attendees will spend their days discussing all things geothermal with representatives from academia, government, and industry. We hope to see you at the GTO booth, #147!
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In Case You Missed It
Tour Utah FORGE Virtually
FORGE is now offering virtual site tours. Viewers can explore the various wells and surrounding areas, check out aerial flyovers and 360-degree views, and even “walk” on a rig! Come and see all the geothermal wonders the site and its surroundings have to offer.
 Kawerak Captures the Importance of Cultural Parity in New Research Document
Alaskan nonprofit Tribal consortium Kawerak, Inc., has released a comprehensive protocol for energy research and cultural awareness in indigenous communities in the Alaska territories. The product institutes processes for ethical, collaborative work focused on open communication channels and conscientious, respectful land use. Read DOE’s Arctic Energy Office recap on this landmark document. Kawerak, Inc., is also a GTO funding recipient as part of the Community Geothermal initiative.
NY Announces $10M Towards Thermal Upgrades
The New York Governor’s office has announced funding for large-scale thermal projects. The program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, will competitively award funding to projects aimed at reducing energy use for heating and cooling in buildings, with a focus on large or co-located buildings that use heat pumps and low-carbon thermal resources. Proposals are due by September 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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Trivia Answer: Eagle Rock is a geothermal power plant operating at The Geysers in Sonoma County, California, and is part of a field of plants that make up the largest North American producers of clean, reliable renewable geothermal energy.
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