U.S. Department of Energy Announces $7 Million to Help Geothermal Energy Support the U.S. Electricity Grid

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the Geothermal Technologies Office’s (GTO) GRID Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), which seeks regional grid modeling studies that quantify the potential contribution of clean, firm geothermal power in supporting the U.S. grid and economy.

Geothermal energy has the potential to provide firm, flexible, renewable power to over 65 million homes across the United States. The GTO GRID FOA focuses on creating new valuation metrics that capture geothermal power's broader economic and reliability benefits, alongside research on supporting an equitable transition through geothermal deployment. Additionally, it includes the development of visual tools to clearly communicate research findings. 

GTO intends to fund regional grid modeling studies within specific power pools, joint utilities groups, utility service territories, or Tribal jurisdictions in the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawai'i, or U.S. territories. Through this funding opportunity, GTO aims to quantify the role of geothermal power in the nation’s electricity grid. This work will address the challenge of grid stability through detailed studies on how geothermal power can support and stabilize the grid as it incorporates higher shares of variable renewable energy sources. 

Letters of Intent are required and due July 24, 2024, and applications are due September 9, 2024. Learn more and read the full Funding Opportunity Announcement.