The Abundant but Expensive Energy Source That's Under Your Feet
Geothermal energy gains rare bipartisan support in the US as next-generation technologies access deeper, hotter rock, though high costs remain a challenge.
Bipartisan Consensus
In a rare show of unity, Democratic and Republican politicians in the US agree on the benefits of geothermal energy. Its low greenhouse gas emissions appeal to liberals, while conservatives value the energy independence and the use of familiar drilling techniques from oil and gas. Some states are expediting permits for geothermal plants, and in April, senators from both parties introduced the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, directing the Department of Energy to support commercialization of advanced systems.
Emerging Technologies
Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) involve hydraulic fracturing of underground rock by pumping pressurized fluid into one well and collecting steam or hot water from another. This fracking technique, controversial in oil and gas, is considered far less harmful when used for renewable energy. To drill deeper and faster, companies are developing advanced drills. Quaise, an MIT spin-off, uses millimeter wave drilling – electromagnetic waves that melt and vaporize rock, enabling access to super-hot geothermal anywhere, not just near hotspots.
Economic Hurdles
Geothermal remains expensive. Initial water use is high, but the water can be recycled. Quaise hopes that targeting temperatures of 300–500°C could yield ten times more energy per well, improving economics. The company's Oregon project aims to be operational by 2030.
