U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced $38 million over
three years for projects to accelerate the development of promising geothermal
energy technologies and help diversify America’s sources of clean,
renewable energy. Thirty-two innovative projects in 14
states will develop and test new ways to locate geothermal resources and
improve resource characterization, drilling, and reservoir engineering
techniques, which will enable geothermal energy sources to help reduce the
nation’s reliance on fossil fuels. Funded
through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, these advances
will play an important role in achieving President Obama’s goal of generating
80% of U.S.
electricity from clean energy sources by 2035.

“The Department of Energy is investing in pioneering
new technologies that will further develop the nation’s geothermal resources,
create skilled jobs for American workers, and help diversify our energy
portfolio,” says Secretary Chu. “The projects announced will provide
opportunities for clean energy innovations that will ensure the U.S.
remains a global leader in geothermal energy development and expand the
nation’s use of this important renewable energy resource.”

This investment in clean energy development is part of the
Department’s comprehensive effort to reduce the cost of geothermal energy,
making it more competitive with conventional sources of baseload electricity.
Projects will perform feasibility studies before advancing to prototyping and
validation, which will be conducted through vigorous laboratory-based research
and field testing. The selected projects will support the Department’s goals of
lowering the cost and financial risk associated with confirming and
characterizing geothermal resources and will help to overcome key technical
challenges to the reservoir creation and sustainability of enhanced geothermal
systems.

U.S. Department of
Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, www.eere.energy.gov