Key facts
- Endurance Energy is developing geothermal energy from underwater volcanoes.
- A pilot project will deploy a 100-kilowatt generator near a hydrothermal vent off Oregon's coast.
- The technology aims to produce commercially competitive, emissions-free electricity.
- Geothermal energy provides a consistent baseload power source, unlike solar or wind.
- Enhanced geothermal projects use advanced drilling to access heat almost anywhere.
- The U.S. Department of Energy projects enhanced geothermal could power 65 million homes by midcentury.
A Seattle-based startup, Endurance Energy, is advancing geothermal energy by exploring the potential of underwater volcanoes. The company plans to deploy a 100-kilowatt geothermal generator to the seafloor off the coast of Oregon in September. This pilot project will test the feasibility of harnessing heat from hydrothermal vents, which can reach up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit, to generate commercially viable, emissions-free electricity around the clock.
Geothermal energy is gaining traction as a reliable clean energy source due to its non-intermittent nature, unlike solar and wind power. Endurance Energy's founder and CEO, Andrew Redd, expressed optimism about the technology's potential to power entire cities sustainably. While geothermal energy has historically been geographically limited to areas with accessible heat from the Earth's core, new interest and investment are driving the technology toward commercial reality.
Beyond natural vents, enhanced geothermal systems are emerging, utilizing advanced drilling techniques from the fossil fuel industry to access geothermal heat almost anywhere. Although underwater geothermal projects may be more expensive than onshore counterparts, their remote locations could circumvent land-use competition and 'not-in-my-backyard' opposition, potentially easing project approvals.
The U.S. Department of Energy believes enhanced geothermal technologies could supply power to 65 million American homes by midcentury. The burgeoning demand for energy driven by the artificial intelligence boom is also spurring investment from the private sector, particularly from Silicon Valley. A report by Rhodium Group suggests that geothermal energy could meet a significant portion of the projected growth in data center energy demand if rapidly scaled.