US technology giants are increasingly investing in geothermal energy projects to power their data centers, with advances in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) accelerating the sector's growth.
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is driving a surge in data center electricity demand, leading US technology giants to invest in geothermal energy as a reliable, low-carbon power source.
Technology companies are placing greater emphasis on geothermal energy investments to ensure energy security and reduce carbon emissions.
As Google, Microsoft and Meta invest in geothermal energy projects to supply electricity for their data centers, EGS technology is also supporting the expansion of the industry.
Unlike solar and wind power, which depend on weather conditions, geothermal energy can provide uninterrupted electricity around the clock, making it a strategic energy source for data centers.
- Iceland leads in geothermal data centers
Google has begun using electricity generated through EGS at its data centers under a partnership with US-based Fervo Energy in Nevada.
Unlike conventional geothermal power plants, EGS technology enables electricity generation by injecting water into hot rock formations where no natural geothermal reservoir exists.
Google believes that wider deployment of this technology could enable its data centers to operate on carbon-free electricity continuously.
Microsoft has similarly placed low-carbon baseload energy sources, including geothermal power, at the center of its investment strategy to meet the rapidly growing electricity demand of its data centers.
The company is closely monitoring geothermal energy projects in the US and New Zealand while signing agreements to diversify its sustainable energy supply.
Meta also considers geothermal resources to be a complementary source alongside its solar and wind investments as part of its long-term energy strategy.
The western US and Iceland have emerged as leading locations for new data center investments by technology companies.
Iceland is regarded as one of the world's most successful examples of integrating geothermal energy into the data center industry.
The country generates most of its electricity from geothermal and hydropower plants, while its cool climate significantly reduces data center cooling costs.
As a result, many international technology companies and high-performance computing firms have chosen to locate their operations in Iceland.
- Geothermal-powered data centers could boost Türkiye's global role
Ufuk Senturk, chairman of the Geothermal Power Plant Investors Association (JESDER) in Türkiye, told Anadolu that the International Energy Agency (IEA) expects data centers to become one of the main drivers of global electricity demand growth in the coming years.
Geothermal energy, with its ability to provide continuous power, is among the renewable energy sources best positioned to benefit from this trend, Senturk said.
He emphasized that data centers consume very large amounts of electricity continuously.
He said rising artificial intelligence and cloud computing investments are boosting demand for uninterrupted data center power, positioning geothermal energy as a key opportunity for Türkiye.
Senturk explained that Türkiye is well positioned to capture a larger share of global investment in this field thanks to its installed geothermal power capacity, experienced investors, technical infrastructure and skilled workforce.
"New-generation data centers could be established near geothermal power plants in Türkiye, with their electricity demand supplied through long-term power purchase agreements with existing geothermal plants," he said.
New geothermal power plants could also be developed specifically to meet the needs of a data center, he added.
When planning their energy investments, technology companies should take into account Türkiye's geothermal resources and the expertise of our industry, Senturk said.
Senturk stated that a data center powered by geothermal energy could combine Türkiye's strengths in the energy sector and technology investments, while becoming a global example of energy security and carbon emission reduction.
"Artificial intelligence technologies could also be integrated into geothermal power plant operations," he said and concluded that AI-based applications could be developed to monitor well performance, predict reservoir behavior, optimize reinjection processes, detect equipment failures in advance and reduce production losses.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
