NE North Dakota News

Interest in geothermal energy is increasing as new engineering methods make it a more viable source of continuous, low-emission power. Moones Alamooti, assistant professor of Energy and Petroleum Engineering at the University of North Dakota (UND), recently wrote an article for The Conversation explaining the potential of geothermal energy to provide reliable electricity worldwide.

Alamooti noted that geothermal energy stands out because it can generate power around the clock, unlike solar or wind sources. "The promise of new engineering techniques for geothermal energy – heat from the Earth itself – has attracted rising levels of investment to this reliable, low-emission power source that can provide continuous electricity almost anywhere on the planet. That includes ways to harness geothermal energy from idle or abandoned oil and gas wells. In the first quarter of 2025, North American geothermal installations attracted US$1.7 billion in public funding – compared with $2 billion for all of 2024, which itself was a significant increase from previous years, according to an industry analysis from consulting firm Wood Mackenzie."

Alamooti also described recent technological and financial developments. "From the investment and technological advances I’m seeing, I believe geothermal energy is poised to become a significant contributor to the energy mix in the U.S. and around the world, especially when integrated with other renewable sources."

A U.S. Geological Survey assessment from May 2025 found that geothermal resources in the Great Basin region could meet up to 10% of national electricity demand. The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2050, geothermal could supply as much as 15% of global electricity needs.

Geothermal energy works by tapping into the Earth's heat to generate electricity or provide heating. It uses closed-loop water systems and produces few emissions. Alamooti cited the Cape Station project in Utah, which aims to deliver 100 megawatts of geothermal power by 2026 and expand to 500 megawatts by 2028. Technical improvements have increased its projected output without additional drilling.

Economic competitiveness is also improving. By 2035, advances may lower the cost of enhanced geothermal systems to $50 per megawatt-hour, which would be on par with other renewable energy sources.

There are several methods for harnessing geothermal energy:

- Hydrothermal systems use underground hot water and steam and are most common in geologically active areas like California, Nevada, and Utah. Some facilities, such as Larderello in Italy, have operated for over a century.

- Enhanced geothermal systems use deep drilling and fluid injection to create new heat-extracting fractures in rock, expanding the potential for geothermal power beyond naturally occurring hydrothermal sites.

- Ground source heat pumps use shallow underground temperatures for heating and cooling buildings and are more efficient than air-source heat pumps.

- Direct-use applications use geothermal heat for industrial processes, agriculture, and aquaculture. Some geothermal fluids contain minerals like lithium, which could be used in battery manufacturing.

Researchers are also exploring new uses for geothermal resources, such as storing energy as heat and adjusting power station output to meet demand. Pairing geothermal with solar, wind, and battery storage is increasing the reliability of renewable energy supplies.

Currently, the U.S. has about 3.9 gigawatts of installed geothermal capacity, representing about 0.4% of national energy production. Converting abandoned oil and gas wells into geothermal systems could expand capacity and reduce costs and environmental impact. Alamooti described a project in Beaver County, Utah, where idle wells are being repurposed to supply electricity to customers as far as California.

Despite its promise, geothermal energy faces technical and environmental challenges. Drilling is costly, and some systems can trigger earthquakes. Emissions are generally low, but hydrogen sulfide can be released; modern plants use systems that capture up to 99.9% of this gas before it enters the atmosphere. Closed-loop systems help minimize water use.

The Conversation is a nonprofit media outlet publishing explanatory journalism by university scholars. UND faculty and graduate students interested in contributing can find more information on The Conversation’s website or contact Tom Dennis or Adam Kurtz at UND.

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