{"id":24823,"date":"2026-04-28T14:33:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:33:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=24823"},"modified":"2026-04-28T17:47:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T21:47:47","slug":"geothermal-energy-now-is-the-time-to-plan-for-the-heat-beneath-our-feet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2026\/04\/28\/geothermal-energy-now-is-the-time-to-plan-for-the-heat-beneath-our-feet\/","title":{"rendered":"Geothermal energy: Now is the time to plan for the heat beneath our feet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Alice Alpert <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we talk about clean energy, solar panels and wind turbines usually steal the spotlight. But there\u2019s another player waiting in the wings: Enhanced Geothermal Systems. This family of technologies could provide reliable, round-the-clock power \u2014 something renewables like wind and solar can\u2019t always guarantee. Recently, EDF convened a group of academic and government researchers, industry and non-profit actors to examine challenges to scaling EGS sustainably and how to take action on them. We released a workshop report<\/a> with more detail but here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earth energy is always on<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geothermal energy brings heat from inside the earth up to the surface for electricity or heat. Conventional geothermal power has been in use for nearly 100 years and makes use of natural fluid systems (think hot springs). EGS takes this idea further by creating fluid \u201cplumbing\u201d systems in places where they don\u2019t exist naturally. Using advanced drilling techniques borrowed from the oil and gas industry \u2014 like directional drilling and hydraulic stimulation \u2014 EGS can unlock heat from deep, hot rock formations. It could also be used to store<\/a> energy and doesn’t need a lot of space<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The potential is huge. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EGS could supply up to 90 gigawatts of power by 2050 \u2014 enough to power millions of homes<\/a> and support U.S. datacenters\u2019<\/a> booming energy demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting geothermal right, now<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While conventional geothermal systems are mostly in the mountain west, EGS could potentially be deployed outside that region to support the electricity needs of large populations and industrial areas<\/em>. And while investments in EGS have historically been low, private investment<\/a> and public research<\/a> continue to rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its promise as a clean, always-on energy source, EGS faces significant challenges before it can play a role to meet U.S. electricity needs. Now is a critical time to get our ducks in a row. A multi-pronged approach for sustainable large-scale deployment is necessary to avoid bottlenecks or impacts that could affect the industry\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prong 1:<\/strong> Prove effectiveness<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prong 2:<\/strong> Develop and use guardrails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, they are closely connected, and if actors work smart, we can make progress on both paths faster than one alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Showing results<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Projects are expensive upfront, and investors want proof they\u2019ll pay off. While the earth\u2019s heat itself is fairly well understood, there is more work to do to know whether a given well and system will be able to bring heat up to the surface efficiently:<\/p>\n\n\n\n