FORGE - U.S. Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) initiative is a dedicated field site in Milford, Utah, where scientists and engineers can develop, test, and accelerate breakthroughs in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) technologies and techniques. Led by the University of Utah – Energy & Geoscience Institute (EGI) in association with multiple partner organizations, the Utah FORGE project area is rural, covering less than five square miles, and is adjacent to a wind farm and solar photovoltaic plant. The FORGE effort includes robust instrumentation, data collection, and data dissemination to capture and share information and activities in real time. The site’s cutting-edge research, coupled with an innovative collaboration and management platform, helps scientists identify a replicable, commercial pathway to EGS.

FORGE Research

FORGE research and development (R&D) activities focus on strengthening our understanding of the key mechanisms controlling EGS success—specifically, how to initiate and sustain fracture networks in basement rock formations. This critical knowledge will be used to design and test a methodology for developing large-scale, economically sustainable heat exchange systems, paving the way for a rigorous and reproducible approach that will reduce industry development risk and facilitate EGS commercialization.

The R&D activities include:

  • Innovative drilling techniques
  • Reservoir stimulation techniques
  • Well connectivity and flow-testing efforts, and
  • Other related activities.

Throughout the life of the FORGE initiative, the R&D priorities will shift to accommodate technology advancements, allowing FORGE to be a dynamic, flexible effort that adjusts to the latest challenges in the energy frontier.

The FORGE initiative field site in Milford, Utah.
The FORGE initiative field site in Milford, Utah. Photo credit: FORGE.

Participate

During Phase 3, the FORGE initiative will release annual R&D solicitations, open to the public and subject to a rigorous, transparent merit review process in line with DOE standards. Each solicitation will result in approximately 10 to 20 subcontracts (subject to appropriations) for research and technology testing in the following EGS lifecycle categories:

  • Reservoir characterization (coupled imaging, drilling for interrogation and monitoring, high-temperature tools and sensors)
  • Reservoir creation (formation access, fracture characterization, zonal isolation, stimulation technologies)
  • Reservoir sustainability (long-term testing, monitoring, and operational feedback)

All entities (e.g., industry, universities, federally funded research and development centers, non-profit organizations, government agencies) will be eligible to submit proposals to these solicitations as individual entities or teams.

FORGE News and Highlights

Drilling Success! 

In February 2021, GTO announced that FORGE broke ground—literally—in new and exciting ways. And in January 2023, Utah FORGE released a video exploring the successful completion of a three-stage hydraulic stimulation of its first highly deviated injection well and deployment of seismic monitoring tools.

FORGE Solicitation 2020-1

On February 24, 2021, DOE announced that the University of Utah selected 17 projects to receive up to $46 million in funding for cutting-edge, domestic, and carbon-free geothermal projects with potential to supply power to homes in the United States. For information on these 17 projects, visit the FORGE R&D webpage

FORGE Solicitation 2022-2

On August 15, 2022, DOE announced up to $44 million for projects to develop and test technology to foster innovation in EGS. On November 14, 2023, DOE announced that the University of Utah selected 13 projects under this solicitation to build on FORGE’s existing EGS work and focus on reproducible solutions and dissemination of technical data. 

FORGE Welcomes Visitors 

Across 2023, the team at Utah FORGE hosted DOE’s Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, U.S. Senator for Utah Mitt Romney, and many other government leaders interested in the benefits of geothermal energy and the ongoing FORGE work. Visit the Energy Reliability page to watch EERE Acting Assistant Secretary Alejandro Moreno discuss how FORGE is advancing EGS technology, and check out the Utah FORGE team’s VIP visitor highlight reel to see who else visited the Milford, Utah site.

FORGE Builds Relationships in Beaver County

Between their work in schools, their presence at community events, the games they create to share insight into geothermal energy, and so much more, Utah FORGE has become a celebrated part of its local community. Read more about their community outreach successes, and watch FORGE's video celebrating their local community and thanking them for supporting the work to advance geothermal and other renewable energy technologies.

FORGE Phases and Sites

A map of the FORGE site with an inset of a smaller map showing where it is located in Utah.

The FORGE initiative contains three phases. Currently in phase three, the Utah FORGE team, led by the University of Utah–Energy & Geoscience Institute in association with multiple partner organizations, is a dedicated laboratory for developing, testing, and accelerating breakthroughs in EGS technologies to advance the use of geothermal resources. The Utah FORGE team is currently drilling full-size wells spanning 15 square miles near Milford, Utah, in eastern Beaver County.

Technical Resources and Reports

  • Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy: A Roadmap, 2019: The roadmap, funded by GTO and developed by the Institute for Defense Analyses Science and Technology Policy Institute, provides technical research recommendations to GTO, FORGE’s Science and Technology Analysis Team (STAT), and the broader research community for the five years of FORGE’s operation. While the roadmap’s components are focused primarily on FORGE, the roadmap activities also contribute to the knowledge and understanding of how to build future large-scale, economically sustainable EGS systems beyond the FORGE site.
  • FORGE Data: All data collected and generated by the FORGE initiative are publicly available.

Legacy Resources

The FORGE infographic, created in 2015, illustrates the early vision of FORGE as a dedicated site where scientists and engineers can develop, test, and accelerate breakthroughs in EGS.

Contact Information

For questions about current FORGE activity, please review FORGE contact information or email doe.geothermal@ee.doe.gov