Learn about GTO’s research in superhot rock enhanced geothermal systems and how it could help cut costs and expand geothermal energy access.
Geothermal Technologies Office
January 14, 2025
minute read time
It’s no secret that volcanoes are hot. But did you know that their heat can be captured to produce electricity?
Tapping superhot (>375°C) geothermal resources like those near volcanoes could significantly expand domestic geothermal energy: The Clean Air Task Force estimates that just 1% of the superhot rock (SHR) geothermal potential in the United States could produce 4.3 terawatts of firm, flexible power—almost four times the country’s current total installed electricity-generating capacity. However, current geothermal technologies are largely untested in the extreme conditions of SHR and scaling electricity production with these resources will require next-generation geothermal technologies and approaches.
The Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) is investing in research, development, and demonstration to unlock SHR resources and bring more U.S. geothermal electricity production online. This work includes Mazama Energy’s new superhot rock enhanced geothermal system (EGS) pilot project at Newberry Volcano in Oregon. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), this project will test the feasibility of SHR technology to extract and use the heat beneath our feet.
Independent of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding, Mazama developed their MUSE (Modular Unconventional Superhot Energy) technology to be able to extract usable heat from these SHR areas, which possess the potential to provide several times the power density (amount of power per unit volume) than lower-temperature rock. Now, GTO is funding Mazama to apply their MUSE technology at Newberry Volcano and demonstrate that a commercially viable geothermal reservoir can be created in superhot conditions. If successful, this project can help geothermal provide much more firm, flexible power to the U.S. grid and could potentially reduce costs of geothermal electricity.
GTO’s first-round EGS Pilots included a topic specifically focused on demonstrations targeting SHR resources and requires selected projects to improve understanding of superhot environments and the creation of EGS reservoirs within them. This project follows a previous GTO-funded EGS project at Newberry Volcano, which confirmed that an EGS reservoir could be developed at the site.
By expanding next-generation geothermal technologies and the ability to create humanmade geothermal reservoirs, GTO and projects like Mazama’s can make secure, affordable geothermal energy available to more Americans, even in places where it’s never before been done. Learn more about GTO’s EGS Pilot Demonstrations and other research to advance EGS technologies.