| Geothermal power
Funding opportunity A further reflection of the current US administration’s support for expansion of geothermal energy is the recent US DOE announcement of a $171.5 million funding opportunity to support next-generation geothermal field-scale tests for both power generation and exploration drilling to support characterisation and potential confirmation of promising geothermal prospects. The DOE says the activities enabled by this opportunity will help deliver on President Trump’s Executive Order, Unleashing American Energy by advancing geothermal technology, innovation, and exploration, in turn supporting the potential for geothermal energy to provide affordable, reliable, around-the-clock electricity.
“Work under this opportunity will directly support our commitments to advance energy addition, reduce energy costs for American families and businesses, and unleash American energy dominance and innovation,” said DOE Assistant Secretary of the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, Kyle Haustveit. “Thanks to President Trump’s America First Energy Agenda, these demonstrations and drilling activities will help us realise the enormous potential of geothermal to spur domestic manufacturing, enable data centre growth, and provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy solutions nationwide.”
The funding opportunity includes six topics with varied levels of funding and awards
anticipated. For the first round of applications, two of the six topics will be open, seeking field tests for enhanced geothermal systems and drilling for next-generation and hydrothermal resource characterisation/confirmation. Projects under this opportunity are expected to help derisk geothermal development approaches and locations nationwide, which can encourage private investment, spur industry growth, and help realise the country’s geothermal potential, says the DOE. Letters of Intent for the opportunity were due 27 March 2026, and full applications are due 30 April 2026.
Source of EGS information: US Energy Information Administration. Principal contributor: Lori Aniti
Exergy’s technology at United Downs
The United Downs geothermal plant in Cornwall is now in operation, delivering the UK’s first-ever 24/7 geothermally generated power. The facility also produces zero-carbon lithium carbonate at commercial scale. The plant, owned and operated by Geothermal
Engineering (GEL), taps geothermal fluids from depths exceeding 5 km, where temperatures rise above 190°C. It employs a fully closed-loop binary cycle configuration: geothermal fluid is brought to the surface to generate electricity, then processed to extract
lithium, and finally reinjected underground. Exergy acted as EPC contractor for the power plant, which uses the Italian company’s organic rankine cycle (ORC) technology featuring its radial outflow turbine. Exergy says the system was specifically engineered to maximise efficiency and operational flexibility “under the unique geothermal conditions of the United Downs reservoir.”
The successful commissioning of United Downs is seen as potentially paving the way for further deep geothermal development across the country. Exergy says it represents not only a technological achievement, but also a strategic step forward in expanding geothermal deployment into new markets.
www.modernpowersystems.com | April 2026 | 33
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