US DoE to provide USD 4.5m for enhanced geothermal systems research

The US Department of Energy (DoE) on Monday said it will provide up to USD 4.45 million (EUR 3.84m) to support early-stage development of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) tools and technologies.

In particular, the funding opportunity aims to back research in zonal isolation as a way of improving the performance and economics of EGS, which are also described as manmade geothermal reservoirs. Zonal isolation technologies provide the ability to target specific zones for stimulation activities, which can enable the command and control of fracture location and the economy of resources, DoE explained. This reduces development costs and risks and leads to more power from fewer well bores, it added.

According to the announcement, EGS technologies could unlock more than 100 GW of power capacity in the continental US.

The deadline for submitting applications is July 25.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.862)

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