The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced Monday that it had selected 21 projects for more than $99 million in potential funding to advance next-generation geothermal technologies, field testing and domestic exploration drilling.
Five projects will conduct field-scale tests of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) to assess the technologies under real-world conditions, while 16 others will carry out exploration drilling to identify and assess promising next-generation geothermal resources, the department said.
The projects are designed to reduce technical and development risks and generate data that could support future commercial geothermal projects and investment.
Data generated through the projects will be made publicly available through the DOE's Geothermal Data Repository to support further technology development and resource exploration.
"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 Donald Trump, the DOE is advancing next-generation geothermal technologies that it says can reduce costs, strengthen US energy security and expand the use of domestic geothermal resources for reliable and affordable power, Haustveit said.
The DOE emphasized that the project selections do not constitute a commitment to provide funding.
The department and selected applicants must first negotiate the terms of the potential awards before funding can be provided. The DOE may cancel negotiations or withdraw the selections during the process, it said.
By Ebru Sengul Cevrioglu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
