Energy Department to Fund Geothermal Drilling Efficiency Improvement Demos

The Department of Energy will award up to $20 million in funding for drilling technology demonstrations to support geothermal energy development.

The Geothermal Drilling Technology Demonstration Campaign builds upon the Energy Department’s advancements in geothermal drilling technologies. The Geothermal Technologies Office was able to create solutions to streamline drilling time and improve penetration rates in a laboratory setting.

The department wants to lower the cost of geothermal drilling, which can make up over 50 percent of a project’s total cost. The Drilling Demos initiative is expected to accelerate the transfer of advancements from the laboratory to the marketplace, DOE said.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said geothermal energy is a natural resource that can be found in various locations across the U.S. She shared that geothermal energy can create jobs in the energy sector and support the government’s goals of reaching a carbon-free power grid by 2035.

GTO is requesting applications from drilling services providers, well service companies, research institutions, geothermal operations and other entities that can provide real-world solutions that would support the office’s goals. Government-funded and commercial entities that control well access and operations are also encouraged to apply for the program. Letters of intent are due by April 4 while the deadline for full applications is on June 3.