In a groundbreaking initiative, Google has initiated a geothermal project in Nevada, in collaboration with startup Fervo, to provide clean energy to its data centres. Unlike traditional geothermal plants, this project employs innovative technology, generating 3.5 MW, equivalent to powering approximately 750 homes. The electricity produced will be integrated into the local grid, serving two Google data centres near Las Vegas and Reno, aligning with Google’s commitment to operate on carbon pollution-free electricity 24/7 by 2030.
Read: Lucid launches its first SUV, the Gravity
Michael Terrell, Senior Director of Energy and Climate at Google, emphasized the role of companies in advancing emerging technologies, positioning geothermal energy as a crucial element in the future energy mix, capable of supplementing intermittent wind and solar power.
This project, initiated in 2021, was heralded as the “world’s first corporate agreement to develop a next-generation geothermal power project.” Geothermal energy taps into the Earth’s internal heat, but this project deviates from conventional geothermal plants. Located on the periphery of an existing geothermal field with hot rock but no fluid, Fervo, through two horizontal wells, pumps water and employs a closed-loop system, crucial in water-scarce regions like Nevada.
Fervo’s innovative approach involves injecting cold water through fractures in the rock, heating it to generate steam on the surface. The company utilizes fibre optic cables inside the wells for real-time data on flow, temperature, and system performance, leveraging strategies from the oil and gas industry.
Google’s partnership with Fervo extends beyond the Nevada project, with Fervo receiving support from Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures and the US Department of Energy. Geothermal projects offer a consistent electricity output compared to weather-sensitive wind and solar farms, making them an attractive option for Google, which is committed to increasing the deployment of such projects.
In September, Google announced a collaboration with Project InnerSpace to address geothermal development challenges and create a global resource mapping tool. While details on future geothermal deployments remain undisclosed, Google’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions for its energy-intensive data centres underscores its commitment to environmental responsibility.
