The US Department of Energy (DoE) has announced more than US$99mn in funding for 21 projects selected to advance geothermal energy across the country.
The list includes five projects for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) field tests that will evaluate and validate EGS reservoir development technologies and methods, and 16 projects for exploration drilling to characterise and confirm promising next-generation and hydrothermal resources.
The five companies and organisations selected in the ESG segment include Fervo Energy, Quaise Energy, Zanskar Geothermal and Minerals, AlterG Resources and the University of Utah.
The DoE said in a statement that the projects will receive a total of up to US$99mn for the first budget period of work, with additional funding subject to Congressional appropriations and successful completion of agreed-upon milestones and performance criteria.
“These projects will empower American innovators to unlock the tremendous geothermal resources beneath our feet,” said DoE Under Secretary of Energy Kyle Haustveit.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re advancing next-generation geothermal technologies that can lower costs, strengthen American energy dominance, and turn more of our vast domestic geothermal resources into reliable and affordable power.”
Fervo Energy, Zanskar Geothermal and Minerals and the University of Utah were also selected among the other 16 additional projects.
Others selected in this segment include Davinci EP, San Ildefonso Services, GeoAlaska, Hexagon Energy, GreenFire Energy, TLS Geothermics Corp, LiPower Geothermal, INTEK Inc, Oriah Geothermal, XGS Energy, Raser Power Systems, 400C Energy and Invenergy Geothermal Development.
Data generated by the projects will made available through DoE’s Geothermal Data Repository (GDR).Making these data available can extend the value of the projects beyond individual sites by helping inform future technology development and geothermal exploration across the industry, the DoE statement noted.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Energy Department is advancing American geothermal innovation to unlock the nation’s abundant domestic energy resources,” it added.
“Geothermal can provide reliable, around-the-clock power to help meet growing demand while strengthening US energy security.”