by jbs051710 a3 — May 21, 2010—The U.S. Department of Energy announced on May 13 that it will award up to $20 million for research, development, and demonstration of cutting-edge geothermal technologies that could reduce U.S. demand for fossil fuels and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.
DOE’s objective is to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of non-conventional geothermal energy technologies in research areas including low-temperature fluids, geothermal fluids recovered from oil and gas wells, and highly pressurized geothermal fluids. Through this research, the department hopes to provide clean, low-cost renewable energy by proving and commercializing technologies that might otherwise remain out of reach.
According to DOE, potential project proposals might include cooling systems—for example, air-cooled, water-cooled, or hybrid systems—or use innovative working fluids. Other concepts might utilize more efficient heat exchanging materials or maximize of energy output through a combination of electricity generation and direct-heat technologies.
The expected close date of this announcement is July 9, 2010. The complete funding opportunity announcement can be viewed at FedConnect.
For more information on these awards, visit DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Program Web site.
