Energy to Invest $84 Million in Enhanced Geothermal Systems

The Energy Department on Tuesday issued a request for information, or RFI, seeking input on $84 million in investment toward enhanced geothermal systems pilot demonstration projects.

The funding, which stems from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, will support four competitively selected pilot projects with the goal of providing information that could spur the growth of geothermal energy.

“The U.S. has incredible, untapped geothermal potential beneath our very feet, which can be harnessed to meet our energy demands with a round-the-clock, clean, renewable resource available across the country,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in a statement. “Investments within President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are allowing us to incentivize access to that resource nationwide, while helping fossil communities and workers leverage existing infrastructure and skills to seamlessly transition to producing clean energy.”  

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, geothermal energy currently represents about 0.4% of total electricity generation nationwide. In its goals for the projects, the Energy Department posits an objective of deploying more than 60 gigawatts of geothermal electricity-generating capacity by 2050—enough to power 129 million American homes and businesses. Such gains would contribute significantly toward President Biden’s net-zero emissions goals.

Geothermal power takes advantage of heat energy within the Earth, usually through openings in rock. The RFI seeks feedback from industry, academia, research labs, federal agencies and other stakeholders. RFI responses must be submitted by May 13.