The U.S. Department of Energy announced more than $99 million for 21 geothermal energy projects across the United States. The projects are designed to advance next-generation geothermal technologies, reduce development risks, and gather data that could support future commercial geothermal power projects.
The funding supports two main areas: five field-scale enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) demonstrations and 16 exploration-drilling projects. The EGS projects will test technologies under real-world conditions, including drilling and stimulation techniques at high temperatures and depths. The exploration projects will drill wells and collect subsurface data to determine whether promising geothermal resources can support commercial development.
Projects are located across states including Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, California, Utah, Oregon, Alaska, Washington, and others. Companies, universities, and other organizations will use different approaches to test geothermal reservoirs, characterize underground heat and fluid systems, and improve drilling and reservoir technologies.
A key goal is to make geothermal energy more reliable and scalable by reducing technical and financial uncertainty. Data generated by all 21 projects will be made publicly available through DOE’s Geothermal Data Repository, allowing industry, researchers, and other stakeholders to use the information for future geothermal exploration and technology development.
