Department of Energy funds UNM research on enhanced geothermal energy

October 21, 2021 - by Rachel Whitt

Researchers at The University of New Mexico are exploring more efficient, sustainable and reliable ways of extracting heat from the Earth for geothermal energy.

The Department of Energy recently committed $12 million to seven research projects focusing on developing enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). A UNM team led by John Stormont, a professor in UNM’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, is receiving $2 million of the grant. The UNM team includes Nick Carroll (UNM), Mahmoud Reda Taha (UNM) Pania Newell (Univ. of Utah) and Stephen Bauer (Sandia National Laboratories).

“Tapping into geothermal energy — a clean and reliable energy source underneath our feet that is available in all corners of this country — is a key part of our plan to expand and diversify America’s clean energy market,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The ground-breaking solutions we’re anticipating from the selected national laboratory and university research teams will help America achieve a clean energy economy while creating good-paying jobs and bolstering America’s energy workforce.”

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