Got an Unconventional Idea? DOE Has $20 Million to Spend on Innovative Geothermal Technologies

DOE has released a $20 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for research, development and demonstration of cutting-edge unconventional geothermal energy projects. Funding is available in three areas: low-temperature fluids, geothermal fluids recovered from oil and gas wells and highly-pressurized — or geopressurized — fluid sources. Proposals for geothermal Smart Grid technologies could include innovative cooling systems, more efficient heat exchanging materials and optimizing energy output with a combination of electricity generation and direct heat technologies. The anticipated closing date for this FOA is July 9, 2010.

Quick Take: While geothermal energy hasn't exactly been overlooked in the Smart Grid renewable energy sector, it hasn't taken off either. Previous assessments say western states could provide up to 20% of the country's electricity supply if available geothermal resources were tapped. Its contribution now is less than 1%.

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