DOE offers USD 84 million funding for EGS projects
EGS diagram (source: DOE, Geothermal Technologies Program)
Carlo Cariaga
20 Apr 2022
The US DOE has issued an RFI for EGS demonstration projects with an opportunity to receive funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) pilot demonstration projects. This RFI is part of the execution of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that authorizes the DOE to support four selected pilot projects with USD 84 million. Responses to the RFI must be submitted via email to BIL_EGSPilotDemos@ee.doe.gov by 13 May 2022, 5pm ET.
EGS projects can significantly increase geothermal energy deployment throughout the United States in both the electric and non-electric sectors. These resources have untapped potential because of their characteristic poor natural permeability. Through EGS, facilitated permeability allows for heat recovery for energy generations even in areas where geothermal resources exist but cannot be accessed using conventional methods.
“The U.S. has incredible, untapped geothermal potential beneath our very feet, which can be harnessed to meet our energy demands with a round-the-clock, clean renewable resource available across the country,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. It has been said that the electricity-generating potential capacity of EGS is equivalent to approximately 8% of projected U.S. electricity-generating capacity.
The RFI solicits feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on demonstration project attributes and outcomes that will most likely lead to successful EGS deployment in the future. DOE is also seeking suggestions for the possible structure of the demonstration projects, including how DOE’s investments can be most impactful in promoting workforce development, and environmental and energy justice through the EGS Pilot Demonstrations Program.
These demonstration projects could help advance DOE’s goals to deploy more than 60 gigawatts (GW) of geothermal electricity-generating capacity by 2050—resulting in clean, reliable power for 129 million American homes and businesses, and contributing to President Biden’s goals for a net-zero emissions economy.
Source: Department of Energy
