Utah explores geothermal energy potential with innovative technologies and projects

The Utah Office of Tourism convened a meeting on May 13, 2025, to discuss the state's geothermal energy potential and its implications for renewable energy generation. The meeting highlighted Utah's position as a leader in geothermal energy, ranking third in the nation behind California and Nevada. Currently, Utah operates three geothermal power plants with a combined capacity of 73 megawatts, generating 410 gigawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, enough to power approximately 38,000 homes. However, this output represents only a fraction—0.1%—of the state's estimated undeveloped geothermal potential of 49,400 megawatts, which could theoretically power nearly 49 million homes.

The meeting emphasized the reliability of geothermal energy compared to other renewable sources like wind and solar, as it can provide a continuous base load of electricity 24/7. The existing geothermal plants utilize traditional hydrothermal systems, with two employing binary cycle technology to efficiently convert geothermal fluids into electricity. The Blundell geothermal plant, notable for its unique method of harnessing geothermal fluids, does not require pumping, as the fluids naturally rise to the surface due to pressure changes.

A significant focus of the meeting was on the Utah Frontier Observatory for Research and Geothermal Energy (Utah Forge), operated by the University of Utah. Since its inception in 2015, Utah Forge has been at the forefront of developing enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), a promising technology that could revolutionize geothermal energy extraction. EGS involves creating engineered geothermal reservoirs in hot rock formations to mobilize geothermal fluids and extract heat energy.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the Cape Station project by Fervoe Energy, which is the first EGS site being developed for commercial power generation. This project is expected to produce 90 megawatts by 2026, with plans for further expansion to 400 megawatts by 2028.

The discussions underscored the importance of geothermal energy as a clean, sustainable, and consistent power source, positioning it as a vital component of Utah's renewable energy strategy. The meeting concluded with a call to action for further investment and development in geothermal resources, which remain largely untapped and hold significant potential for the state's energy future.