Geothermal GRID: Geothermal’s Value in Powering the Future

GRID in large very large letters shows the progression of subsurface layers, from the hot purple to the cool green. The I in GRID has a zig zag flouish indicating electricity. In the background is a depiction of an electric grid.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Geothermal (OG) GRID initiative, announced in July 2024, supports regional grid modeling studies that quantify the potential contribution of renewable, firm geothermal power in supporting the nation's future grid and economy. 

 

Objective and Topic Areas

Using advanced modeling and analysis tools, projects in the GRID initiative will quantify how geothermal power supports the U.S. electric grid. Innovative valuation metrics developed under this initiative will provide a deeper understanding of geothermal energy's economic and reliability benefits, fostering informed decision making for future energy policies and funding. 

Given the versatility of the “heat beneath our feet,” the value of geothermal power can be represented from a variety of perspectives—from current capabilities geothermal already provides or has demonstrated, to emerging technology innovations that are unlocking new ability for geothermal power to contribute to grid reliability, such as: 

  • Firm capacity to support resource adequacy,
  • Flexible geothermal power and ancillary services to the grid and/or to a deferrable load, which can help balance evolving generation supply and customer load demand,
  • Integrated value of geothermal power with storage technologies,
  • Total system impact of geothermal power to the grid.

 

Selectees

OG selected eight projects to quantify the potential contribution of firm geothermal power in supporting the nation's grid.

The project leads and grid regions their projects will model are:  

  • Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (Western U.S.)
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (California)
  • National Laboratory of the Rockies (Colorado and New Mexico)
  • Ohio State University (PJM Region)
  • Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (Pacific Northwest)
  • Princeton University (Western U.S.)
  • University of Texas at Austin (Texas)
  • Southern Methodist University (Texas)

 

Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.