Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy expanded its series of Energy Earthshots to “accelerate breakthroughs of more abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy solutions within the decade.” The Enhanced Geothermal Shot, aims to reduce the cost of Enhanced Geothermal Systems by 90%, or to $45 per megawatt hour by 2035.
Utah FORGE plays a pivotal role in de-risking EGS through tool testing and new technology development. To help further these advancements, in August, we announced Solicitation 2022-2, up to $44 million in funding for five topic areas from proppants and packers to seismicity monitoring protocols and alternative stimulation schemes. Proposal submissions are closed, but you can read more about it here.
In April of 2023, Utah FORGE will begin drilling its second deep deviated well. This well will serve as the production well. The drilling will be followed by an additional stimulation similar to the one conducted in April of 2022. The work should take approximately 4-5 months.
