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Google digs deep for geothermal energy
Heated project to get $10m

By Martin LaMonica

Published: Wednesday 20 August 2008

Google is investing $10m in "enhanced" geothermal systems - essentially technology for tapping underground heat - which it says is one of most promising forms of renewable energy.

Through its philanthropic arm Google.org, the internet giant will invest in two geothermal technology start-up companies and give a university grant to study the potential of geothermal resources.

The move is part of Google.org's REC (Renewable Energy Less than Coal), an initiative with the goal of producing one gigawatt of electricity - larger than a typical coal-fired power plant - through renewable sources.

Google has invested in solar thermal companies eSolar and BrightSource Energy as well as wind company Makani Power. It has also installed a large 1.6-megawatt solar array, established a plug-in hybrid station at its headquarters, and spearheaded energy-efficient computing programs like Climate Savers.

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The latest investments are meant to spur development of geothermal, which a study by Massachusetts of Institute of Technology last year found was underutilised. Like fossil fuel power plants, geothermal plants can supply electricity during peak times, while wind and solar have limitations in this regard.

The two companies Google is investing in - AltaRock Energy and Potter Drilling -focus specifically on so-called enhanced geothermal technology.

Typically, geothermal plants tap into existing wells of hot water or steam thousands of feet underground. The retrieved hot water or steam turns a steam turbine to make electricity.

Enhanced geothermal technology pumps water underground to crack hot rocks. The heated water or steam is captured to turn a turbine and then pumped back down underground.

The US Department of Energy says these advanced techniques can dramatically increase geothermal potential by 40 times.

Dan Reicher, director of climate and energy initiatives for Google.org, said in a statement: "EGS [enhanced geothermal systems] could be the 'killer app' of the energy world. It has the potential to deliver vast quantities of power 24/7 and be captured nearly anywhere on the planet. And it would be a perfect complement to intermittent sources like solar and wind."

Google is putting $6.25m into AltaRock Energy, part of a larger $26.5m second round of investment. First round investors included high-profile green-tech venture capital firms Khosla Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

AltaRock Energy is looking to develop a cost-effective method for pumping water underground and recuperating it. It plans to launch a pilot project and is targeting utilities in Western US states that have renewable energy mandates.

Google.org will also invest $4m into Potter Drilling, which is making drilling products designed for hard-rock environments like granite. The technology can also be used for carbon capture and storage and nuclear waste storage.

In an FAQ, Google.org said that development of enhanced geothermal systems means that renewable energy "could conceivably be deployed almost anywhere, and is essentially limitless in supply".