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DOE funds faster geothermal drilling

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced up to $20 million in funding to help reduce project time by demonstrating faster drilling techniques to lower the cost of developing geothermal energy. The DOE is seeking to drastically reduce the cost of geothermal drilling — which can cost more than 50 percent of the total project cost.

The selected drilling demonstration projects will spur further investment in geothermal projects, which could be a key source of zero-carbon energy. The initiative advances U.S. President Biden's goal of supporting the fossil energy community to drive innovation and economic growth in emerging zero-carbon industries on top of existing energy infrastructure.

"There is incredible, untapped potential for harnessing the heat beneath our feet to meet our energy needs, and this renewable energy can be found in every corner of this country," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "The use of geothermal energy is not only an important asset in achieving a carbon-free grid by 2035, but it can also drive the creation of high-paying jobs in the energy industry as the nation transitions to cleaner, more reliable energy."

Led by DOE's Geothermal Technology Office (GTO), the drilling demonstration program builds on DOE's advancements in geothermal drilling technology to

simplify drilling time and increase laboratory rates of penetration. The demonstration of this latest move will accelerate the transition of geothermal drilling

 technology from the laboratory to the market.

GTO seeks drilling service providers, well service companies, research institutes, geothermal operators and developers, and other entities that can provide real-world, immediate solutions to achieve the goal of increasing the average daily rate of penetration of geothermal wells. Entities (including commercial and government funding) that control well access and operations are encouraged to

apply.

GTO is also compiling a list of partners to form a new project team for the drilling demonstration project. The list allows organisations wishing to participate in an application but not to apply as a principal applicant to express their

interest to potential applicants and to explore potential partners.