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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Environment
Oliver Milman

US aiming to ‘crack the code’ on deploying geothermal energy at scale

An aerial view of a pink sunset and a smokestack (steamstack?) in silhouette in the foreground, pumping out what is apparently steam.
Controlled Thermal Resources' Hell's Kitchen lithium and renewable power plant, near Niland, California, on 14 February 2024. Photograph: David McNew/Getty Images

A limitless supply of heat exists beneath our feet within the Earth’s crust, but harnessing it at scale has proved challenging. Now, a combination of new techniques, government support and the pressing need to secure continuous clean power in an era of climate crisis means that geothermal energy is finally having its moment in the US.

Until recently, geothermal has only been viable where the Earth’s inner heat simmers near the surface, such as at hot springs or geysers where hot water or steam can be easily drawn to drive turbines and generate electricity.

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