By: Stuff

Geothermal energy is attracting rising investment as a reliable, low-emission power source that can provide continuous electricity almost anywhere on the planet. With the ability to work 24/7 regardless of weather conditions, geothermal offers a stable complement to solar and wind power.

Rising Investment and Potential

• North American geothermal installations attracted US$1.7 billion in public funding in Q1 2025 alone
• The U.S. Geological Survey estimates geothermal sources in the Great Basin could meet up to 10% of national electricity demand
• International Energy Agency projects geothermal could provide 15% of world's electricity by 2050

Why Geothermal is Unique

Geothermal energy taps into heat beneath the Earth's surface to generate electricity or provide direct heating with several advantages:

• Runs continuously, providing consistent baseload power
• Closed-loop water systems with few emissions
• Long-term viability - some facilities have operated for over a century

Types of Geothermal Systems

Hydrothermal Systems

• Tap into underground hot water and steam in geologically active areas
• Concentrated in California, Nevada, Utah, Iceland, and Philippines
• Proven long-term technology with century-old operations

Enhanced Geothermal Systems

• Create electricity-generating processes anywhere by drilling deep holes
• Inject fluid into hot rocks to create fractures, similar to fracking
• Use multiple wells for water circulation and heat extraction
• Can repurpose abandoned oil and gas wells, reducing costs and environmental impact

Ground Source Heat Pumps

• Use stable underground temperatures for heating/cooling
• Serve individual homes, commercial buildings, or developments
• More efficient than air-source heat pumps

Direct-Use Applications

• Use geothermal heat directly for agriculture, aquaculture, and industrial processes
• Currently deliver over 100,000 megawatts of thermal capacity worldwide
• Potential for mineral extraction, including lithium from geothermal fluids

Current Projects and Advancements

• Fervo Energy's Utah project aims to deliver 500 megawatts by 2028
• Costs becoming competitive - projected at $50 per megawatt-hour by 2035
• Enhanced systems can adjust output to meet demand rather than running at maximum capacity
• Can power clean hydrogen production and carbon removal efforts

Challenges and Considerations

• High initial drilling costs
• Enhanced systems risk causing earthquakes
• Potential hydrogen sulfide emissions (though modern plants capture 99.9%)
• Water usage, though closed-loop systems minimize consumption

Despite these challenges, geothermal energy's reliability, low emissions, and scalability position it as a vital component of a stable, low-carbon energy future that complements solar and wind resources.