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As I’ve watched the seasons change over the last few weeks, I’ve found myself reflecting on how change is inevitable, even at the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO). Geothermal is a clean, renewable energy source and that will not change—but the way we implement our solutions, including when it comes to work done on Tribal lands, requires an ever-increasing amount of care and consideration.
Having recently returned from the Geothermal Rising Conference (GRC), which was full of compelling conversations about the achievements and plans of the geothermal community, I am still particularly struck by the preconference Indigenous Geothermal Symposium. This two-day, Native Hawaiian-hosted event gave space for members of Native and Tribal communities from around the world to speak about the effects the energy industry has had on them and how relationships can be fostered and improved. There were many important takeaways from this event, including the importance of Native energy sovereignty, fair and livable wages for Hawaiians, and respect for the land. One particular theme resonated in these discussions: Indigenous people will show us the right way to do geothermal. I am grateful for their time and honesty.
This Native American Heritage Month, I invite our readers to examine how they think about geothermal. This is not a purely scientific field; it is also a human one. GTO contributes to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) portfolio of funding opportunities, prizes, and programs that include support for the growth and sovereignty of indigenous communities. Additionally, GTO is working hard to go beyond providing funding—we strive to be partners and active listeners in achieving energy equity for Native and Tribal peoples. I hope you will register and join me to learn more about our time at GRC and GTO’s work at our last quarterly webinar of the year on December 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Last but not least, I’d like to wish a belated Happy Veterans Day to those who have served. Thank you to you and your families for your service and commitment.
Lauren Boyd
GTO Director
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Trivia Question: What ‘out of this world’ location may use geothermal energy to heat its ice-covered lake? |
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Leadership Visits Utah FORGE and Fervo’s Cape Station
David Crane, DOE’s Undersecretary for Infrastructure, and Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), recently traveled to Milford, Utah, to visit GTO’s Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) and Fervo Energy’s Cape Station. While there, they had the opportunity to learn more about how teams at both sites are working to make enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) a key part of the nation’s energy future.
 From left to right: Jeff Marootian, Leslie Biddle, John McLennan, and David Crane visit Utah FORGE. Photo credit: Garth Larsen
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AskGDR and You Shall Receive: New Virtual Assistant Increases Accessibility to Geothermal Data
The Geothermal Data Repository (GDR) team has introduced a new virtual assistant feature named AskGDR. This feature is another jewel in the crown of the GDR, an online directory that champions data accessibility and fosters scientific innovation.
 Credit: Shutterstock
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NEW: , An OpenEI Hub for Geothermal Resources
A new GTO-supported hub, GeoBridge, offers a centralized repository for geothermal information, covering everything from home geothermal heat pump (GHP) installation to careers in geothermal, educational tools, and cost savings opportunities for businesses. GeoBridge expands and diversifies the pool of geothermal stakeholders and builds a stronger geothermal community by facilitating easy access to geothermal knowledge. Entrepreneurs, young professionals, teachers, policy makers, and more – you're invited to explore. Please join us for a GeoBridge Launch Webinar on Tuesday, December 3 at 12 pm ET.
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Salton Sea Report Team to Receive LBNL Award
The team behind the “Characterizing the Geothermal Lithium Resource at the Salton Sea” report received the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Director's Award for Exceptional Achievement in Societal Impact. LBNL Director’s Awards are given to individuals and teams for demonstrating high achievement; leadership; collaboration; participation in, or support of, multi-disciplinary science, cross-divisional projects; and commitment to excellence in advancing the Lab’s mission and strategic goals.
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Headlines Around DOE
Alphabet Soup! FOAs Get a Makeover to NOFOs
On October 1, 2024, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) replaced DOE Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) with Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) as the vehicle to issue competitive solicitations from the Department. Past announcements and existing FOAs will not change or require any action. Learn more about NOFOs in OMB’s revision to the 2024 Uniform Grants Guidance.
Newest SBIR Release Provides Opportunities for Geothermal
DOE’s Office of Science has released the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Release 2 topics for FY25. Included in the funding opportunity are two geothermal topics: the first on geothermal heating and cooling and the second on EGS data utilization. Learn more about the opportunity before the release in December.
EnergyTech University Prize Returns with $545K in Funding for Students and Faculty
The 2025 EnergyTech University Prize is open for submissions! Headed by DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), the competition offers more than $500,000 in funding, including a bonus prize sponsored by GTO. Participants can compete in the student track or faculty track. Interested competitors are encouraged to register their team on HeroX and sign up for an informational webinar on Friday, December 10 at 1 p.m. ET to learn more.
Hawai'i/New Zealand Cultural Exchange on Energy
Funded by GTO and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the 2025 Indigenous Geothermal Cultural Exchange will sponsor a cultural exchange program for Native Hawaiians and the Māori people of New Zealand to connect around energy resources, including geothermal energy. If you identify as Native Hawaiian, sign up for the interest list .
DOE Announces $20M for Clean Energy Voucher Program
OTT intends to support over 170 companies, Tribes, and local governments to advance commercialization of clean energy technologies through the Technology Commercialization Fund’s Voucher Program. The program will provide up to $250,000 to selected organizations across a range of support methods, with geothermal and other renewables featuring in several voucher categories. Interested parties are invited to join the program’s hub, “The Ecosystem,” to be notified of future submission windows for funding.
AFFECT Grant Program Funds Geothermal Projects for Federal Facilities
DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program has announced $150 million in funding as part of the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) grant program for 67 energy conservation and clean energy projects at federal facilities across 28 states and territories and six international locations. Of those selected, three DOE projects will investigate opportunities to utilize geothermal energy: at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado; Grand Junction Field Support Center in Grand Junction, Colorado; and at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in Princeton, New Jersey.
RE Experts Needed to Support New State-Based Siting, Planning, and Permitting Initiatives
Where and how large-scale renewable energy and battery energy storage projects are sited is a complex process that involves many considerations and parties. DOE is seeking applications from organizations with expertise on key siting, planning, and permitting topics to provide technical assistance to State-Based Collaboratives under the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP™) program.
Upcoming DOE Prizes Feature Thermal Energy Storage
Two upcoming DOE prizes offer opportunities for innovation in thermal energy storage. The $4.8 million Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize will support cost-effective thermal energy storage technologies that provide heating, cooling, and/or power to industrial facilities, while the $300,000 Energy Storage Innovations Prize (Round 2) seeks innovative, emerging, and next-generation energy storage solutions for less conventional use cases (e.g., extreme climates). Click “Follow the Challenge” on each prize website to stay apprised.
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Deploy24
December 4-5, 2024 | Washington, D.C.
Registration is open for DOE’s second annual Demonstrate, Deploy, Decarbonize 2024 (Deploy24) conference in Washington, D.C., convening industry executives, investors, community leaders, and other public and private sector decision makers from across the clean energy supply chain. The event will highlight the importance of public-private partnerships and solution-oriented strategies as new and innovative clean energy technologies reach commercial scalability.
World Resources Institute Geothermal Report Launch Webinar
December 10, 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. ET
Register to hear World Resources Institute present findings from a new issue brief, provide an overview of next-generation geothermal technologies, evaluate environmental risks and considerations, and discuss policy options to responsibly develop these technologies. An expert panel will also discuss the current landscape of next-generation geothermal and opportunities to grow the industry.
December 19, 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. ET
Join us as we discuss GTO's recent and upcoming events, programs, and funding opportunities. Registration is required.
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In Case You Missed It
Don’t Miss GTO’s Prize for the Geothermal Heat Pump Workforce!
GTO is planning to release its Partnerships to Accelerate Training and Hiring for Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP PATHs) Prize in early December. The prize aims to catalyze regional partnerships to improve GHP workforce pipeline development. To be notified when the prize opens, follow the challenge on HeroX.
BLM Announces New Public Land Leases for Geothermal Development
The Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the expansion of geothermal energy development projects on public lands, with the potential to power over two million homes. BLM approved the Fervo Cape Geothermal Power Project in Beaver County, Utah, which will use innovative technology to generate up to two gigawatts of power. This news follows BLM’s lease sale of 64 parcels covering nearly 218,000 acres for geothermal development.
2025 TCF Base CLIMR Lab Call Accepting Applications
Last month, OTT announced the TCF Base Core Laboratory Infrastructure for Market Readiness (CLIMR) Lab Call, with up to $36 million in expected funding across six clean energy commercialization topic areas. Interested stakeholders must submit concept papers by December 12, 2024.
New Technical Assistance Opportunity Available for States
State public utility commissions and state energy offices can apply to receive free Deep Dive technical assistance from DOE’s national laboratories to address electric grid related issues through the Resources and Assistance for State Energy Offices and Regulators program. In addition to ongoing Help Desk and Expert Match offerings, a new solicitation for Deep Dive technical assistance is open. The deadline to apply for the Deep Dive track is January 17, 2025. Don’t miss the informational webinar for state public utility commissions on Friday, November 22 at 3:00 p.m. ET. You can also watch this presentation to learn more.
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GHP Case Studies Available Now
Still on the fence about installing a GHP? GTO has published a series of case studies on the versatility and effectiveness of GHPs in climate zones across the United States. Learn more about options best suited to your area, then get ready to hop on the geothermal bandwagon for your heating and cooling needs!
Get Connected Through Regional Data Partnerships
GTO is passionate about connecting communities and improving information sharing when it comes to finding and accessing geothermal systems. This is especially relevant for underserved, indigenous, and Tribal nations looking to develop a pipeline of energy projects. GTO plans to release funding in 2025 for Regional Data Partnerships that support resource assessment, exploration, and development data for multiple geothermal projects across a given area. Email GTO to be notified when funding opens.
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Geothermal in the News
Geothermal Podcast Feature
NREL released the newest episode of their podcast, Transforming Energy, where they highlight several research topics, including the recent nationwide GHP case studies.
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Trivia Answer: Mars! A scientific study published in 2022 found evidence of a lake buried beneath the ice at the south Martian pole heated by geothermal energy. |
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