Next generation of US policies for geothermal innovation

Geothermal energy can provide 24/7 clean, dispatchable energy. Conventional geothermal represents less than 1 percent of US electricity generation and has experienced little growth over the past two decades. However, next-generation technologies—including enhanced, closed-loop, and superhot systems— have seen significant technological advances and could be deployed in many areas beyond those used for conventional geothermal, greatly expanding the geothermal potential. This note identifies federal policy options for the US Congress and executive branch to advance these technologies.