Tech Giants Tap into Geothermal Energy to Power the Future
Tech companies across the United States are grappling with the challenge of finding enough clean energy to power the growing number of data centers they plan to build. As demand for data processing and storage increases, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence, these companies are seeking innovative ways to meet their energy needs without increasing their carbon footprint. One promising solution that has caught the attention of some firms is geothermal energy, a method of generating electricity by tapping into the heat deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
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According to an article by the New York Times, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, recently announced a partnership with Sage Geosystems, a start-up focused on advanced geothermal technology. Together, they plan to develop up to 150 megawatts of geothermal energy to power to allow the expansion of Meta's data centers. This amount of electricity could potentially power around 70,000 homes.
Sage’s approach involves drilling thousands of feet into the Earth’s crust to create fractures in the rock. Water is then pumped into these fractures, where it is heated by the Earth’s natural geothermal energy. This hot water can then be used to generate electricity in a turbine, providing a continuous and emissions-free power source.
The potential of geothermal energy is significant, especially as it can provide a steady supply of electricity around the clock, unlike solar or wind power, which are dependent on weather conditions. Traditional geothermal power has been limited to regions with easily accessible underground hot water, such as parts of California or Iceland. However, advancements in drilling technology are now making it possible to tap geothermal energy in a wider range of locations. Sage has already demonstrated its technique in South Texas and aims to build its first large-scale power plant by 2027 at a location east of the Rocky Mountains.
The excitement surrounding geothermal energy is not limited to Meta. Google has also partnered with another geothermal start-up, Fervo Energy, to build a 5-megawatt pilot plant in Nevada. This plant has already begun supplying power to the grid and Google has plans to significantly increase its use of geothermal energy in the coming years. Fervo is also working on a 400-megawatt plant in Utah that will supply electricity to utilities in Southern California, with operations expected to begin in 2026.
The urgency for tech companies to secure reliable and sustainable energy sources stems from the rapid expansion of data centers, which are predicted to consume as much as 9% of US electricity by 2030, up from its current 4%. Data centers require a continuous supply of electricity, and many technology companies have committed to reducing their carbon emissions, which rules out reliance on fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. As a result, they are exploring various technologies, such as nuclear energy and enhanced geothermal systems.
Although geothermal energy has been used for decades, its application has been geographically limited due to the need for specific geological conditions. However, with new drilling techniques and the ability to access deeper, hotter rock formations, the potential for geothermal energy is growing. The US Energy Department has estimated that geothermal energy could provide up to 90,000 megawatts of electricity by 2050.
