#United States #Boston #Project InnerSpace #Geothermal Energy #military bases

An In-Depth Look at Geothermal Potential on U.S. Military Bases

In an effort to bolster energy security and independence, Project InnerSpace has released a groundbreaking analysis titled From Bases to Baseload: Geothermal Development and Energy Security on American Military Bases. This comprehensive report indicates that U.S. military installations are situated on some of the most substantial untapped geothermal resources available in the country.

Key Findings

According to the report, over 300 gigawatts of technical potential for electricity generation exist across 158 installations, with possibilities of even greater output when drilling extends deeper. When drilling reaches depths of 7 kilometers, the potential could rise five-fold to as much as 1,575 gigawatts of electricity. This revelation comes at a crucial time when the military seeks to secure its energy sources amid threats to its operational capabilities.

The military’s dependency on civilian power grids and conventional diesel back-up systems fails to adequately address long-term outages caused by emergencies. The office of energy resilience within the military aims to develop robust systems capable of functioning autonomously, and geothermal energy presents a viable solution to achieving that goal.

Geothermal Energy Benefits

Geothermal energy is uniquely suited for military bases as it operates on-site, is fuel-supply chain free, and can be hardened to protect against various vulnerabilities, including cyberattacks and supply chain disruptions. The military has some experience with this renewable resource: a U.S. Naval facility in California has tapped into geothermal energy for decades, while installations in Louisiana have utilized ground-source heat pumps effectively. However, overall use remains limited, leaving a significant opportunity for expansion.

Diverse Energy Applications

The Bases to Baseload analysis outlines several avenues for the implementation of geothermal energy:

• - Electricity Production: With a potential of over 300 gigawatts-electric, this energy source can greatly reduce reliance on external grids.
• - Industrial Process Heat: Nearly 2,000 gigawatts-thermal available across installations means a strong potential for heating applications.
• - Cooling: Over 370 gigawatts-thermal can provide necessary cooling, particularly at bases in hot climates.
• - Heating Networks: The potential for nearly 900 gigawatts-thermal across installations enables effective heating throughout military facilities.
• - Ground Source Heat Pumps: Over 1,500 gigawatts-thermal can be harnessed across a broad range of installations and geologies.

A Call for Action

In light of the analysis, Project InnerSpace emphasizes the urgent need for further action to tap into these resources. The recommendations include the funding of feasibility studies and exploratory drilling, establishing dedicated geothermal leadership within military departments, and scaling success models from existing geothermal implementations to other bases across the country.

The pressing need for energy resilience in military operations has never been clearer, as global conflicts strain supply chains and critical infrastructure remains vulnerable. By investing in geothermal energy, U.S. military installations can transform into self-sufficient energy fortresses while bolstering national security.

Project InnerSpace, a non-profit organization focused on promoting geothermal energy development, hopes this analysis will inform decision-makers about the best strategies to deploy geothermal technology effectively across military bases nationwide. Read the full report here.