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This July has been a historic month for the United States of America — what a joy to celebrate our country's 250th anniversary. So much of our country's history is woven with domestic energy production, and the Office of Geothermal is pleased to contribute to that legacy. Our work to accelerate the discovery and development of gigawatt-scale geothermal power production is fostering a reliable and secure domestic energy supply for the nation's next 250 years and beyond.
I would like to highlight some work I am very passionate about here in the Office of Geothermal – data and analysis! The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR)-developed Geothermal Data Repository continues to shine as a critical hub of geothermal data, and the team is rolling out a new Data Preview feature that allows users to instantly visualize geospatial data, helping them quickly identify relevant data sources. In addition, NLR, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Chicago, and Princeton University co-hosted a Cold Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) workshop last month to disseminate findings from the project's Phase I report and organize discussions among data center operators, geothermal developers, utilities, and other stakeholders. The Office of Geothermal is just getting started in Cold UTES, so stay tuned for more exciting work to come.
We are also continuing to amplify the Office of Geothermal's broader portfolio. To get the latest updates, read our new success story showcasing how our Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) initiative creates pathways for geothermal industry advancement. And check out two new project spotlights: Oxy USA Inc.'s Drilling Demos project, which is leveraging innovative drilling technology and methods to improve drilling rates, and Sandia National Laboratories' (SNL) Hidden Systems project that used both established and novel geophysical imaging to evaluate a geothermal resource.
I am honored to be the Office of Geothermal's Acting Director while Lauren Boyd is away advancing the Department of Energy's (DOE) priorities as Acting Energy Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. As the summer continues, I hope you all keep cool – while geothermal continues to turn up the heat!
Warmest thoughts,
Sean Porse
Acting Director, Office of Geothermal
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Trivia Question: Timanfaya National Park barbeque food? |
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Office of Geothermal's Latest |
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National Lab Partners with Industry to Advance EGS Development
In an Office of Geothermal-funded project, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Fervo Energy, and technology company NVIDIA have partnered to build a digital twin of enhanced geothermal reservoirs. The virtual platform can mimic real-life processes, allowing quick informed decisions to maximize electricity generation within the enhanced geothermal system (EGS).
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Cross-State Comparisons of Geothermal Power Development Policy
As part of the Geothermal Power Accelerator, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) published an Office of Geothermal-funded comparative analysis of geothermal-related policies, regulations, and legislation across seven states to examine how different jurisdictions approach geothermal power development. NASEO also prepared a summary of recent federal legislative measures addressing geothermal permitting, available on the NASEO website.
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Utah FORGE Drilling Rig Credit: Eric Larson (Utah FORGE)
: Creating Pathways for Geothermal
The Office of Geothermal’s FORGE has been identifying, testing, and evaluating technologies and methods for EGS since breaking ground in 2019. Learn how FORGE is fostering transparency and enabling geothermal companies and other EGS researchers.
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Headlines Around DOE
18 research teams from 11 National Labs joined DOE leadership in Washington, D.C. to mark the completion of their Energy I-Corps training. Photo courtesy of Charles Watkins, DOE
I-Corps Celebrates 22 Cohorts
In June, Energy I-Corps celebrated its 22nd cohort, bringing the total number of graduated teams to 286. Eighteen teams from Cohort 22 gathered in Washington, D.C., to share their impactful work assessing viable pathways to bring DOE-developed technology to market.
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September 20‒23, 2026 | Houston, TX
The Office of Geothermal will be attending the 2026 GRC in Houston, TX. The conference is the geothermal industry's flagship annual conference, with presentations, keynote speakers, and a technical program.
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In Case You Missed It
New Geothermal INTERN Cohort Gains Real-World Experience
The National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy’s Geothermal INTERN opportunity has selected its third cohort of graduate students and their internships are underway. As geothermal research and development accelerates across the United States, this opportunity is helping build the skilled workforce needed to support industry growth, connecting emerging talent with real-world hands-on experience across the geothermal sector.
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Trivia Answer: With a hydrothermal resource! The one-of-a-kind restaurant has a grill placed over a volcanic cavity where the food is cooked using geothermal heat that arises naturally from the depths. |
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