Harnessing heat and pressure from deep underground to produce geothermal power is having a moment. Demand for electricity to support cryptocurrency mining and artificial intelligence endeavors is increasing enormously—by some estimates, data centers could double their current consumption and use up to 9% of total electricity generated in the United States by 2030. Meeting this increased energy demand with renewable, clean energy will require multiple power generation technologies. Fortunately, new advances are happening!
Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) will power data centers using a significant amount of geothermal energy storage by 2027—a deal with Sage Geosystems announced on August 26, 2024. Google partnered with Fervo Energy in 2021 to develop an enhanced geothermal power project that is operational today, feeding carbon-free electricity onto the local grid serving data centers in Nevada. By 2030, the immense company aims to operate their data centers and office campuses on carbon-free energy 24/7—an ambitious goal.
I’ve been following geothermal power developments for many years, but in an unlikely convergence, writing this post was prompted by my time with llamas in the wildlands of Yellowstone National Park. More about that below—first, a brief description of geothermal power systems and their advantages.
Fountain Geyser in Yellowstone National Park (Wikimedia)
Our Red-Hot Planet
Traditional geothermal power systems used for space and water heating operate in volcanic provinces in many parts of the world, including Iceland, Indonesia, New Zealand, Turkey, Italy, South Korea, and the west coast of the United States. In these areas, hot gases rise from a deep magma chamber, super-heating groundwater that escapes to the surface in geysers or hot springs. The naturally occurring heat, water, and rock permeability are sufficient to allow energy extraction to produce electrical power.
Geothermal energy is available almost everywhere on our planet, however, as there is abundant heat far beneath the ground surface. The challenge has been in accessing this possible power source. Now, dozens of startups are exploring techniques to unlock the vast potential.
All around the globe, what are known as hot dry rock geothermal systems can be developed using conventional drilling to access deep regions of hot basement rock. Using techniques developed for oil and gas fracking, operators can pump high-pressure water down into naturally fractured rock, opening sets of fractures, or joints, in a defined reservoir zone within the rock mass. Water added to the borehole passes into the fractures, where the heat and pressure at depth heat the water to where it can be released back up to the surface and harnessed in a power plant system to generate electricity. The water is then pumped back underground to be reheated.
Sage Geosystems has demonstrated this basic approach in a test well in South Texas. Planning is underway for the first large-scale geothermal power plant, projected to have a first phase online by 2027. (Location not yet announced, but likely to be east of the Rocky Mountains.) The Fervo Energy project in northern Nevada includes three wells and demonstrates that enhanced geothermal power can be delivered at a commercial scale. Â A new project on a southwest Utah site will include around 100 wells, with estimated power delivery in 2026. Many other similar projects are in the works.
Financial support from climate-conscious tech companies is crucial to the development of next-generation geothermal, as so far there has been significantly less funding for this approach compared to other technologies. This is likely, in part, because the promise of expanded geothermal power is so new.
Enhanced geothermal power has many advantages. It is renewable, since the heat extraction rates are insignificant compared to the tremendous heat held inside the Earth. It is extremely efficient with a high energy output and no lithium batteries. Drilling is a major expense, but as operators gain experience in this field, costs are dropping. Some oil and gas companies will be able to convert their old fossil fuel wells to geothermal ones using their existing workforces (in the USA, a federal law will allow this to happen without the company applying for new permits). Horizontal drilling can be used, dramatically lowering surface footprints. Fiber optic cables can be installed in the wells to gather valuable flow, temperature, and performance data, allowing the heat mining efficiency to be maximized.
Clean energy, typically wind and solar power, is inconsistent because of weather variability and timing of peak production that doesn’t always match times of peak demand. Continuously available enhanced geothermal power and next-generation nuclear power can fill in base-load gaps. (Check out more info in my post Billions for a New Generation of Nuclear Power.) Both types of power generation will probably be needed to meet increased demand—but geothermal is looking especially promising. We live in interesting times!
Wilderness Ridge Trail Llamas in Yellowstone National Park
And Now for My Llama Connection
Back in May 2024 I wrote a post, Enchanted by Llamas, with some details about the llama-supported trip I took near Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. Given my enthusiasm for llamas, I happily joined an August camping trip with llamas—this time, deep into Yellowstone National Park wilderness in Wyoming. Strong, sure-footed, and good-natured, llamas are excellent camping companions. An added advantage: they guard their “herd” and can provide early alerts in Grizzly territory (fortunately, the bears kept their distance). On one of the trip days, our group hiked to where Boundary Creek cascades over spectacular Dunanda Falls. Just below the falls, I had the extraordinary experience of soaking in pools fed by hot springs, while admiring the waterfall and also being cooled by the billowing mist. Marvelous!
The Yellowstone region, of course, overlies a volcanic hotspot, with explosive geysers and colorful steaming pools providing evidence of abundant heat below (more info is in my post Yellowstone’s Dynamic Geologic History). Contemplating geothermal resources during my llama trip transitioned smoothly into an interest in learning more about enhanced geothermal power generation, the latter inspired by the breaking news about the Meta and Sage Geosystems partnership. I wanted to share my thoughts about both.
The Impressive Dunanda Falls
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Well Roseanne, It’s a bit of a stretch, but glad you got to talk up llamas again. 😉
Oh my – funny! Well, I generally look for not-necessarily-obvious connections for my posts. And — not only do I truly care about both topics, my hot spring soaks days before learning more about geothermal just made sense as a connection. At least to me! Thanks for your observations, Steve!
Such a comprehensive explanation–thank you . I’ve been trying to tell people about “repurposed” oil wells but the negative energy around the word “oil” shuts down all conversation. I think it is the most amazing rethinking of energy sources. Now to rethink energy use!
Thanks, Cathy! Agreed — more efficient energy use is definitely needed!
Very comprehensive and interesting use of power. The llamas are fun to see I will be going to capital reef I hope in sept 😎
Thanks, Robin! Capitol Reef NP is among my all-time favorite national parks!
Hi Roseanne.
Geothermal hot springs have been a thing in Nevada for a long time. Many old time photos show early settlers making use of them. On a more recent note if you’re ever in Reno check out the Peppermill Hotel-Casino. A big place, and it’s heated via geothermal wells. Not hot enough to run electric generators, but the heat exchangers provide heating for the building and spa facilities including the pool. Ask if they can give a tour? not saying they will but can always ask (I did it when I was there for a water conference a while back). Thanks for the article.
Thanks, Steve! Good to learn about the Peppermill Hotel-Casino. And there are probably other large facilities that could be using geothermal wells in that region…..