Funding anticipated from US DOE to discover new geothermal resources
Pagosa Hot Springs, Colorado (source: flickr/ colorado trips, creative commons)
Carlo Cariaga
13 Sep 2024
The US DOE Geothermal Technologies Office expects to release funding for the discovery of new geothermal resources, including surface surveys and drilling.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) expects to release funding in early 2025 to facilitate discovery and development of new U.S. geothermal resources through field data collection, including geophysics and exploratory drilling.
This funding will convene regional data collection partnerships as a resource for stakeholders to develop geothermal energy within a specific state, group of states, or region. The intent is to support resource assessment, exploration, and development data for multiple geothermal projects across a given project area.
The initiative also aims to enhance engagement with Tribal authorities and develop a pipeline of energy projects that are well positioned to compete for support from programs focused on Tribal energy development. Applicants will be encouraged to expand and strengthen technical expertise in certain regions and among geothermal stakeholders more broadly by engaging with education and training programs at regional universities, trade schools, and/or within labor organizations’ training programs.
DOE anticipates supporting partnerships to execute the following categories of activities:
Regional Data Acquisition and Analysis: New acquisition and publication of seismic, electromagnetic, and other geophysical, geological or geochemical data.
Resource Characterization: Support for more localized project development activities.
Data Dissemination: Efforts aimed at increasing availability, utilization, and discoverability of new and existing high-value datasets.
Partner organizations for this planned opportunity could include:
- State Geological Surveys or natural resource agencies
- Geothermal developers (includes both established players and newer startups)
- State Energy Offices
- Energy utilities
- Local governments
- Mining, oil and gas, or other firms involved in subsurface exploration (e.g., drilling or geophysical surveying)
- Landowners (both public and private) and permitting authorities
- Tribes, Native Corporations, and other organizations representing Indigenous peoples
- Large energy users
- Institutions of higher learning
- Community and ratepayer groups
- Military Installations
- New or existing consortia of the above
More details on the anticipated funding opportunity are available on the official announcement.
The US DOE – GTO has been very active in several fronts to support innovative geothermal technologies with recent funding opportunities announced for work done in the fields of wellbore construction, scaling mitigation, EGS pilot projects, and geothermal research undertaken by small businesses.
Source: US Department of Energy
