A First-of-Its-Kind Geothermal Project is Now Operational - 2023

Geothermal Energy / Development Technology

Terrell reported in late 2023 that a clean-energy startup to develop a geothermal power project in Nevada is now contributing carbon-free energy to the electric grid. 

To make the rapid progress needed to address climate change, they accelerated a clean energy transition on a planetary scale. That’s why they set an ambitious goal to operate their data centers and office campuses on 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) on every grid where they operate by 2030, with the ultimate aim of accelerating the decarbonization of the world’s electricity systems.

To achieve these goals, they have quickly commercialize advanced clean electricity technologies. One of the most promising opportunities is enhanced geothermal energy, which uses new techniques to harness the consistent heat from within the Earth’s crust and generate electricity without burning fossil fuels or releasing carbon into the atmosphere. This helps provide a supply of clean energy that complements variable renewables, such as solar and wind, and brings the grid closer to operating on 24/7 CFE, [a major failing of wind and solar].

Two years ago, they partnered with clean-energy startup Fervo on the world’s first corporate agreement to develop an enhanced geothermal power project. Today, they are pleased to announce that their geothermal project is now operational and carbon-free electricity has started flowing onto the local grid that serves their data centers in Nevada.

Tapping into the potential of geothermal power

The U.S. Department of Energy found that geothermal energy could provide up to 120 gigawatts of reliable, flexible generation capacity in the U.S. by 2050 and generate over 16% of the U.S.’ anticipated electricity needs. Geothermal is a viable clean energy option in many regions where it’s difficult to build other renewable energy sources, notably the Asia Pacific region. Still, geothermal is not yet widely used, because traditional technologies can only be deployed economically in areas where underground heat is easily accessible.

When they began their partnership with Fervo, they knew that a first-of-a-kind project like this would require a wide range of technical and operational innovations. Unlike traditional geothermal power, Fervo uses drilling techniques pioneered by the oil and gas industry to harness heat that would have previously been difficult to access. To tap into this subsurface heat at their site in Nevada, Fervo dug two horizontal wells and installed fiber-optic cables to capture data that shows the flow, temperature and performance of the geothermal system in real-time. The result is a geothermal plant that can produce round-the-clock CFE using less land than other clean energy sources and drawing on skills, knowledge, and supply chains that exist in other industries. From their early commitment to support the project’s development to its successful completion, they have worked closely with Fervo to overcome obstacles and prove that this technology can work.

Building progress for advanced clean electricity technologies

While they have started with this project in Nevada, there’s potential for geothermal to grow. They recently announced a partnership with Project InnerSpace, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the global development of geothermal energy, to accelerate the adoption of geothermal energy.

They see their efforts as part of a bigger picture. As they continue on their journey to 24/7 CFE, they plan to keep pushing boundaries, testing new ideas and working with others to transform the power sector globally. And to see others — like the U.S. federal government — join them by setting 24/7 CFE goals. And they will continue to work with their partners to advocate for policies that advance the clean energy transition.

Together, they can accelerate advanced clean energy technologies and build the resilient, secure, cost-effective and fully decarbonized electricity grids that are needed to mitigate climate change and create a prosperous, carbon-free future for all.