Kevin Jones started his career in the oil and gas industry, but soon found that many of the skills he acquired through his work in oil and gas were transferable to other energy sectors, especially geothermal technologies.
Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
December 31, 2024
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Kevin Jones, now the enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) program manager in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) was not always in the geothermal space, in fact he started his career in the oil and gas industry as a Geoscience Associate. It wasn’t long until Jones discovered that he could go from one well to another and that many of the skills he acquired through his work in oil and gas were transferable to other energy sectors, especially geothermal technologies.
EGS are human-made geothermal reservoirs that use techniques similar to those in oil and gas to create the right conditions for accessing geothermal energy. With the use of next-generation technologies like EGS, geothermal power has the potential to power the equivalent of more than 65 million American homes and businesses.
Jones is also the manager and strategy lead at GTO’s Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) initiative, a dedicated field site in Milford, Utah, where scientists and engineers develop, test, and accelerate breakthroughs in EGS technologies and techniques in granite rock beds.
“The FORGE project is using oil and gas subsurface engineering techniques to create EGS, and to create geothermal systems where none previously existed,” Jones said.
Research at FORGE is strengthening the understanding of how to create humanmade geothermal systems and generate electricity in more places using the heat below Earth’s surface. Most recently, the Utah FORGE site’s successful circulation testing found that more than 90% of the produced fluid was recovered and the temperature remained at approximately 370°F—perfect conditions for capturing geothermal energy.
When it comes to energy careers, Kevin Jones urges future innovators to never stop thinking about how what they are learning today could lead to new pathways in the future. “You never really know what skills that you learn in some opportunities will be transferable to future opportunities,” Jones said. “Keep your eyes open for career opportunities and really make sure you don’t take them for granted … or granite.”
Anyone can advance energy, whether you’re supporting research and development or learning more about the U.S. energy ecosystem. Find out how you can advance energy solutions. Discover more at www.energy.gov/eere/are-you-energy-innovation-champion.