Global energy technology company Baker Hughes is to explore the use of utility-scale geothermal power plants to supply energy to US military bases.
A collaboration with the US Air Force and Department of Defence will attempt to tap into the country’s abundant geothermal energy supply to enhance national security.
Geothermal energy is considered a significant source of renewable electric power. Geothermal technology uses the heat from naturally occurring water sources deep underground to generate large amounts of usable heat or power.
To tap into this limitless supply of heat requires wells drilled a few miles or more below the Earth’s surface.
However, tapping these water sources has proved challenging, with many geothermal plants drawing energy from heat that simmers near the Earth’s surface, such as hot springs or geysers.
In 2024, the US Geological Survey published a report that estimates that the western US contains approximately 500,000MW of potentially recoverable resources for enhanced...