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 geothermal systems.
A road map launched by the Department of Energy last year found that geothermal capacity could increase 20-fold by 2050, generating 10% of the US’s electricity.
Keen to tap into such energy technologies, the US Air Force and the Department of Defence’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office has launched a solicitation process known as the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace. Its aim is to make it easier to acquire advanced energy solutions.
Recognised among a competitive field of applicants in the marketplace, Baker Hughes achieved ‘awardable’ status. The firm will now start exploring how to develop geothermal power plants that will supply US military bases around the globe with reliable and cost-effective electricity, even during a grid outage.
Ajit Menon, vice-president of geothermal, oilfield services and equipment at Baker Hughes, said: “The ability of geothermal to provide reliable, secure base load power makes it an ideal addition to America’s energy mix.
“Baker Hughes’ unique subsurface-to-surface expertise and advanced technology across the geothermal value chain will help the US military unlock this critical domestic energy source, while simultaneously driving economic growth and energy independence.”
Kirk Philips, director of the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance, said: “The US Air Force leveraged the Tradewinds solicitation process to quickly collaborate with innovative American companies to build resilient, next-generation geothermal technologies at our bases, using private capital instead of taxpayer dollars.”
A report published towards the end of last year found that former North Sea gas terminals could be repurposed as geothermal energy facilities.
Scientists are also looking into how volcanic magma could be used to power next-gen geothermal energy systems.