At the Geothermal House DC MAGMA event in Washington, Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasised the need to integrate advanced geothermal energy into the national energy strategy to achieve the energy abundance goal set by President Trump. He stated that geothermal energy holds significant potential as a power source, provided that advanced technologies are used to harness this natural resource.
Geothermal Energy and the Energy Needs of Artificial Intelligence
Chris Wright also pointed out that the artificial intelligence (AI) industry will lead to a significant increase in energy demand. He warned that if this demand is not met, energy-intensive industries may be tempted to relocate their operations outside of the United States. He stressed the importance of keeping these industries within the country, not only for jobs and investments but also for scientific progress and national security.
Initiatives to Accelerate the Development of Geothermal Energy
The event, organised by Project InnerSpace in collaboration with the CRES Forum, brought together representatives from the industry, policymakers, the media, and energy consumers. The goal was to discuss how advanced geothermal energy can enhance U.S. energy security, stimulate economic growth, and create quality jobs in the energy sector. Attendees had the opportunity to discover innovations in geothermal energy, including virtual reality experiences and presentations from specialised startups.
Topics covered included responding to the growing energy demand of data centres and artificial intelligence, the strategic role of geothermal energy in national security, policies to encourage geothermal deployment, and how to leverage American innovation and the oil and gas industry to scale up geothermal energy. Over 40 speakers participated in the event, including Senator John Curtis from Utah and Representatives Randy Weber and August Pfluger from Texas.
An Underutilised Geothermal Potential
Currently, the United States is only tapping into a fraction of its geothermal potential due to high costs and complex permitting processes. However, geothermal energy is an abundant and renewable resource capable of providing baseload electricity as well as industrial heat. The oil and gas sector, with its technology and workforce, could play a key role in rapidly developing geothermal energy at scale.
