Geothermal startup Fervo Energy has begun delivering carbon-free electricity from its enhanced geothermal plant to Nevada’s power grid, supplying power to Google’s Cloud region in Las Vegas, the tech giant said on Nov. 28.
Fervo applied drilling techniques used in the oil and gas industry for the 3.5-megawatt Project Red, which reached vertical depths of about 8,000 ft and about 4,000 ft horizontally to harness heat.
The Houston-based company drilled a first-of-its-kind enhanced geothermal system horizontal double-well system with an injection and production well pair into a high-temperature, hard rock geothermal formation to capture heat. That heat is used to generate steam, which produces electricity. The process is also guided by real-time data on flow, temperature and performance gathered from fiber optic cables downhole.
“The result is a geothermal plant that can produce round-the-clock CFE [carbon-free energy] using less land than other clean energy sources and drawing on skills, knowledge, and supply chains that exist in other industries,” Google said. “From our early commitment to support the project’s development to its successful completion, we’ve worked closely with Fervo to overcome obstacles and prove that this technology can work.”
Google partnered with Fervo in 2021. The technology company aims to operate its data centers and office campuses on carbon-free energy by 2030. In September, the company also announced a partnership with Project Innerspace, an organization committed to advancing geothermal energy worldwide. Their efforts will include developing a global geothermal resource mapping and assessment tool.
RELATED: Fervo Energy Claims Geothermal Breakthrough with Nevada Pilot Project
Recommended Reading
Gunvor Group Inks Purchase Agreement with Texas LNG Brownsville
2024-03-19 - The agreement with Texas LNG Brownsville calls for a 20-year free on-board sale and purchase agreement of 0.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG for a Gunvor Group subsidiary.
Exclusive: Chevron Balancing Low Carbon Intensity, Global Oil, Gas Needs
2024-03-28 - Colin Parfitt, president of midstream at Chevron, discusses how the company continues to grow its traditional oil and gas business while focusing on growing its new energies production, in this Hart Energy Exclusive interview.
CoolCo, GAIL Enter Long-term LNG Agreement
2024-05-16 - CoolCo and GAIL’s agreement is intended to secure long-term LNG supply in India’s market, with GAIL having an option to extend the 14-year agreement by another two years.
CERAWeek: LNG to Play Critical Role in Shell's Future, CEO Says
2024-03-19 - Sawan said LNG will continue to play a critical role adding that LNG currently makes up around 13% of gas sales but was expected to grow to around 20% in the coming 15 to 20 years.
Permian Gas Finds Another Way to Asia
2024-04-30 - A crop of Mexican LNG facilities in development will connect U.S. producers to high-demand markets while avoiding the Panama Canal.