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Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
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Hello, or as they say in Iceland, halló!
Having unpacked my bags and reflected on a fascinating European trip, I cannot help but be inspired by the uniting force that is geothermal energy. It was an honor to introduce Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm at the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation (P-TECC) Ministerial in Bucharest, Romania, and to see geothermal have its moment in the spotlight during the inaugural in-person Geothermal Working Group. With 17 European member states and the European Commission in attendance over the course of the two-day summit, the consensus is clear: geothermal is a crucial renewable solution to worldwide energy needs.
 Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm speaks at the P-TECC Ministerial
After spending time in Romania discussing the global future of energy production with the top energy experts in Europe and North America, it was a marvel to see the work in practice during my solo journey to Iceland, the newest P-TECC ally. I toured Svartsengi, a combination geothermal power and hot water plant notable not just for being the first of its kind but also for supplying 90% of hot water to the Reykjanes Peninsula. Reflecting on the international cooperation at the P-TECC Ministerial and pioneering technologies at Svartsengi, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to have my own team of innovative problem-solvers at the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), leading the way towards a clean, geothermal future right here at home.
Since reacclimating to D.C. life following my whirlwind Euro-tour, I feel reinvigorated in my passion for the heat beneath our feet. Our upcoming Quarterly Webinar, slated for September 25, will certainly echo that excitement for all that attend as we discuss GTO’s recent, current, and future work plans. Speaking of thrilling developments, last week the 2024 Geothermal Collegiate Competition opened registration, inviting new teams of students to pioneer methods of energy extraction that can improve the lives of Americans everywhere. These clean energy champions could meaningfully drive geothermal understanding and deployment forward as they work with local communities on clean, efficient geothermal solutions. I can’t say for sure which team will win or which project will be most impactful, but—with the enthusiasm here in the United States and abroad—what I know for certain is that the global future of geothermal is bright.
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Lauren Boyd
GTO Director
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Trivia Question: Where can you find the highest altitude hot springs in the world?
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GTO's Latest
Geothermal Collegiate Competition Now Open!
The 2024 Geothermal Collegiate Competition (GCC) is now open! During the GCC, teams of three or more college students gain real-world experience in geothermal energy as they compete for cash prizes of up to $10,000. The 2024 competition features a Technical Track and a Policy Track, both of which will focus on geothermal heating and cooling. Students of all majors are encouraged to participate and teams that register early have the option to partner with an industry mentor. Check out the kickoff webinar recording and join a second live webinar on September 12 at 4 p.m. ET for more information.
Industry mentors are also needed! 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 about 15 hours supporting a team. Sign up here.
Small Businesses Score Geothermal Research Funding; New Opportunity Also Open
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing more than $54 million for small businesses across the country to research and develop clean energy projects through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. As part of these FY24 Phase I Release 2 selections, GTO chose Atlas Energy Ltd. Co. and Zonge Engineering and Research Organization, Inc. for projects on shallow surveys of geothermal heat flow and drone-based geophysical data collection for critical minerals, respectively. A new round of funding opened August 5 for the SBIR/STTR FY25 Phase I Release 1 funding opportunity and includes a topic for projects to inhibit mineral scale from geothermal brines.
Second Cohort Selected in Geothermal INTERN Program
GTO and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have announced the second cohort of geothermal interns in the NSF INTERN program. Through this collaboration, a diverse group of 24 students will work with geothermal companies, national laboratories, or state agencies on projects that advance geothermal technologies.
GTO Selects National Lab Projects to Research Critical Materials
In collaboration with DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office and Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, GTO has selected four DOE national laboratories to receive more than $6 million for research and development that can directly aid in advancing and developing U.S. critical material supply chains. The selected projects will characterize lithium and critical materials in areas beyond California’s Salton Sea region, improve understanding of how to better break down and release minerals from rocks in geothermal reservoirs, and advance drilling materials to better access geothermal resource areas where critical materials may be located.
Searching for Answers Below the Surface: What’s Hiding in Hidden Geothermal Systems
With GTO funding, a research team from Sandia National Laboratories set out to provide data to make future geothermal resource exploration easier. Working in Nevada’s Steptoe Valley, the research team used new and established geophysical imaging techniques to better visualize the subsurface and evaluate power capacity for geothermal energy in the area.
 Nevada's Steptoe Valley. Photo credit: Nick Hinz
GTO Joins Secretary Granholm and Global Leaders to Discuss Energy in Europe
Representatives from DOE and the Romanian Ministry of Energy, in partnership with the American-Central European Business Association and the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, convened July 23–24 in Bucharest, Romania, for the P-TECC Ministerial. Secretary Granholm joined GTO’s Lauren Boyd and Sudeep Kanungo for the event, which focused on European energy security, industrial policy to advance clean energy, energy infrastructure security, advancing geothermal energy as an impactful solution for the region, and strategies to support rebuilding Ukraine’s energy sector. The event recordings and Secretary Granholm’s remarks are available.
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Headlines Around DOE
Geothermal Joins Other Renewables in GSA Sustainability Program
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in collaboration with DOE’s Building Technologies Office (BTO), has selected 17 emerging, sustainable technologies as part of their landmark Green Proving Ground (GPG) program to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs in federal buildings. The program funding, provided in part by the Inflation Reduction Act, has allowed GSA to more than triple the number of technologies it evaluates, including a geothermal retrofit solution from Brightcore Energy.
GSA and BTO have since announced a new GPG request for information seeking emerging and sustainable technologies—submissions are open until Friday, September 13, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Thermal Storage Scores Funding in Solar Technologies Announcement
DOE has announced nine projects to advance concentrating solar-thermal systems technologies for solar field production and long-duration energy storage. Projects include a demonstration power plant capable of storing thermal heat underground at depleted oil reservoirs using reservoir thermal energy storage. This demonstration project continues work initiated under GTO’s hybrids analysis and fulfills one of its primary goals: connecting analysis to demonstration opportunities!
MESC Announces Second Round of Funding for Heat Pump Manufacturing
DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) has announced $85 million in a second round of funding to accelerate domestic manufacturing of residential electric heat pumps. Funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act and authorized under the Defense Production Act, these four projects will augment the first-round selections to help increase heat pump production capabilities and bolster the heat pump supply chain.
Vouchers Available to Help Deliver Clean Energy Technologies to Market
Submissions are open for DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions Voucher Program, which aims to reduce barriers for small businesses and other nontraditional partners to deliver clean energy technologies to market. There are currently seven open voucher opportunities serving various commercialization needs and technology areas. Submissions are due September 12 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Notice of Intent for $30M to Support Tribal Clean Energy Projects
DOE’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs issued two Notices of Intent to release a combined $30 million in Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) later this summer. The first planned FOA will support Tribal clean energy planning and development, and the second will support Tribal Colleges and Universities planning to transition to clean energy.
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ThinkGeoEnergy Webinar: Utah FORGE
August 23, 2024, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. ET
Join GTO’s Kevin Jones for this webinar to learn the latest on the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy’s (FORGE) research and how the site is achieving success in drilling, seismic monitoring, data collection, and more.
Geothermal Collegiate Competition (GCC) Informational Webinar
September 12, 2024, 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. ET
Join a live informational webinar to learn more about the Fall 2024 GCC, including tips for registering your team, pairing with an industry mentor, and preparing to compete.
Applications of Geothermal Heat Pumps
September 19, 2024, 9:45 a.m.–5:30 p.m. ET
Join GTO Program Manager Alexis McKittrick and other geothermal experts at this virtual EUCI-hosted event as they discuss the science behind, and benefits of, geothermal heat pumps. Registration is required—continuing education credits are available.
GTO Quarterly Webinar
September 25, 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. ET
Join GTO leadership as they discuss several exciting programs, including the second NSF-DOE INTERN cohort, updates on GCC 2024, and the most recent critical minerals project selections. Registration is required to attend.
Geothermal Rising Conference (GRC)
October 27–30, 2024
Don’t forget to register for GRC! There’s still plenty of time to book your trip out to the Big Island. We’ll be waiting for you in Waikoloa—find us at booth #147!
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In Case You Missed It
GTO GRID Applications Due September 9
Applications for GTO’s Geothermal Resources’ Value in Implementing Decarbonization (GRID) funding opportunity are due September 9, 2024 (Letters of Intent were required and due July 24).
EGS Pilot Demonstrations Applications Due September 25
Applications for the current EGS pilot demonstrations funding opportunity, focused on the eastern United States, are due September 25, 2024 (Letters of Intent were required and due July 18).
DOE Announces $65 Million to Help Manage Growing Loads on the Grid
DOE recently announced up to $65 million for Connected Communities 2.0, a funding opportunity to support research, development, and demonstration at the grid edge—the portion of the electric grid between the feeder and the plug. Eligible technologies include thermal energy networks with energy storage. Concept papers were required and due August 20, 2024, and applications are due October 10, 2024.
Abstracts Open for the Stanford Geothermal Workshop
Interested parties have until October 10, 2024, to submit abstracts for the 50th Stanford Geothermal Workshop, to be held at Stanford University in California, February 10–12, 2025.
Clean Energy 101: Rebates vs. Tax Credits
Check out DOE’s latest Clean Energy 101 video, which helps explain the difference between rebates and tax credits.
NYSERDA Seeking Applications for Clean Building and Large-Scale Thermal Projects
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is soliciting applications to support Clean and Resilient Buildings and Large-Scale Thermal market development initiatives through September 30.
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Trivia Answer: The Yangbajain Hot Springs, located within the Himalayas of Tibet, are 4,200 feet above sea level.
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