The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the winners of the American-Made Geothermal Manufacturing Prize, a $4.65 million competition to incentivize innovators to use 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, to address the challenges associated with operating sensitive equipment in harsh geothermal environments. The prize is supported by the Geothermal Technologies Office and the Advanced Manufacturing Office, in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
“This DOE competition harnesses breakthroughs in additive manufacturing to help overcome barriers to widespread deployment of geothermal energy,” said Alejandro Moreno, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Power. “The rapid prototype development supported by this prize is spurring advancements in the geothermal industry to help power the nation from the heat beneath our feet.”