Geothermal power is known the world over as a clean, efficient source of energy. But like many renewable sources of power, it’s heavily underutilized in the United States. However,  ongoing Department of Energy programs to shore up carbon-free sources of power, got an infusion of $43.1 million for deserving geothermal companies. 

 

Rather than simply lining the coffers of these firms, the DOE funding is program-specific, and represents some of the most advanced geothermal technologies. The project funding covers different aspects of the geothermal power process, from $1.5 million to General Electric’s upstate New York plant for the creation of sensitive electronic instruments that can function under the physical stresses of geothermal operations, to just under $700,000 for simulation software from the Texas A&M. 

 

With the private sector, the driving force of technology development in recent years (taking significant hits recently) has traditionally been programs like the DOE’s, which become progressively more and importajt in continuing the advance of new technologies. While the taxpayer foots the bill today, advances in technology over the long term will bring dividends in the form of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable power.