The U.S. Air Force and a Canadian startup, Eavor, have joined forces to tap into the “limitless” clean geothermal energy generated under the Earth’s surface. Innovative technology called Eavor-Loop is being explored in a pilot project conducted at Joint Base San Antonio in Texas. The aim is to power the facility with green energy while exploring scalability options for other locations.
The U.S. Air Force is collaborating with a Canadian energy startup
Eavor, which was founded in 2017, proudly announced that the contract with the United States Department of Defense has been finalized. The Air Force Office of Energy Assurance is on board to guide Eavor in the implementation of the pilot project. Chesapeake Energy is also involved as a partner, providing technical and operational expertise.
Eavor’s Eavor-Loop technology stands apart from conventional geothermal energy mining because of its scalability and wider application options. Traditional geothermal systems rely on specific conditions, like naturally occurring hot underground aquifers, which are relatively rare. However, the Eavor-Loop tech involves an Advanced Geothermal System (AGS), which is a closed-loop strategy designed to operate independently of geological limitations in a much wider range of locations.
Eavor is confident in its claim that it will be capable of generating renewable energy anywhere in the world for under $50 per megawatt-hour by the end of this decade.
A different geothermal endeavor called Project Red is in operation under the intense conditions of the Nevada Desert and it proves that we don’t need volcanoes and magma to draw from geothermal power.
How does the Eavor-Loop system bypass geological constraints?
The Eavor system involves drilling a shaft several miles deep, similar to the process used in the gas and oil industries. When water is fed into the channel, parts of which are horizontal, steam is immediately generated, harvested via an upwards conduit, and used to power electric turbines. The temperature in the Earth’s core rises approximately 54°F every 0.62 miles downward. In volcanic hotspots, this is potentially double.
The innovative aspect of the Eavor-Loop technology is the closed-loop system, which involves sealing the water in a circuit. Eavor explains that aside from generating constant energy, the process essentially powers itself as it cycles around without the need for a pump. This process is called thermosiphon.
The technology has been proven in practice. Eavor reports that its team has “flawlessly” pulled off several successful demonstrations at its facility in Alberta, Canada, over the years since 2019.
Eavor is backed by industry giants BP and Chevron, which joined the enterprise as partners in 2021. Eavor has also been endorsed by Japanese renewable energy giant Chubu Electric Power.
What’s the next step in the Eavor-Loop project at Joint Base San Antonio?
Now that Eavor has secured critical funding from the U.S. Department of Defence for the feasibility study, testing and assessing the geothermal resource near the San Antonio base is first on the agenda. The end result of the installation at San Antonio is the fortifying of defense infrastructure with clean energy that’s reliable in the event of electrical grid disruptions.
The benefits of geothermal energy
There are several advantages of geothermal energy for electricity production that make it viable for future development and refining:
- Geothermal energy is sustainable and renewable.
- It can be relied on to produce power 24 hours a day, unlike wind and solar systems that experience disruptions.
- Geothermal energy systems don’t release greenhouse gases and the processes have a negligible carbon footprint.
- Countries that utilize geothermal power can reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
- Local geothermal mining activity stimulates local economic activity and creates jobs.
- Once a geothermal facility has been built, the operating and maintenance costs are relatively low.
In more news about geothermal energy innovations, a startup company just scored a hot contract to supply energy to California after Bill Gates identified enough potential to invest.