ABB and Sage Geosystems Unleash Geothermal Energy Potential

ABB and Sage Geosystems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop energy storage and geothermal generation facilities. These facilities will harness natural heat from the earth’s core to produce clean electricity.

Powering Meta’s Sustainability Goals

Through this collaboration, ABB will help Sage deliver up to 150 MW of geothermal baseload power to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The project will be located east of the Rocky Mountains in the US, with the first phase expected to launch by 2027.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency with Cutting-Edge Technology

Under the MoU, ABB will assess how to deploy its automation, electrification, and digital technology across geothermal sites worldwide. This strategy aims to boost energy efficiency and reliability. ABB might supply distributed control systems, electrical infrastructure, and digital solutions such as asset performance management, process optimization, and cybersecurity systems. Furthermore, the partnership could also focus on developing energy storage solutions that pair with intermittent renewable resources like solar and wind.

Sage’s CEO, Cindy Taff, emphasized, “Our proprietary geopressured geothermal systems (GGS) technology is pivotal. Working with ABB will accelerate the widespread deployment of next-generation geothermal solutions. Unlike other renewables, geothermal can provide a reliable, on-demand source of clean energy, available 24/7.”

The Promise of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy has significant potential in the future energy mix. Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) produce little to no greenhouse gases and offer continuous energy. The GGS process works by injecting pressurized fluid into a subsurface reservoir. The heated fluid then generates mechanical energy, which is converted into electricity through turbines. In the US, geothermal could potentially power over 65 million homes.

Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries, stated, “To unlock geothermal energy’s potential, we need to foster cross-industry collaboration. Sage’s GGS technology can generate low-carbon electricity and offer storage solutions, playing a vital role in the energy transition.”

The Expanding Geothermal Market

Currently, geothermal provides only 0.3% of the world’s power supply, according to Rystad Energy. However, the installed capacity is 16.8 GW globally. By 2030, this capacity is expected to grow to 28 GW, and by 2050, it could exceed 110 GW. This expansion will likely attract over US$120 billion in investments by 2035.

References

1. https://www.iea.org/articles/capturing-the-energy-beneath-our-feet
2. https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/doe-analysis-highlights-opportunities-expand-clean-affordable-geothermal-power
3. https://www.rystadenergy.com/insights/geothermal-market-teed-up-for-accelerated-growth-in-coming-years