Unlocking Australia's geothermal energy potential, with the Digital Future Initiative

Australia has abundant sunshine and wind, and could it also hold vast reserves of clean energy deep underground? Geothermal energy, the Earth's natural heat, is a clean, round-the-clock, stable energy source that can help heat and cool buildings, support agriculture and provide reliable electricity, while also reducing carbon emissions.

To achieve our goal of operating our global data centers and office campuses on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, we are working to accelerate the next generation of technologies, including geothermal, that can help Google – and the world – meet electricity demand sustainably and reliably.

Today, as part of the Digital Future Initiative, we’re announcing a partnership with the University of Newcastle and its research institute Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) to conduct new research into the development of geothermal energy in Australia.

This new research initiative builds on our efforts to help develop and scale geothermal technologies globally. In 2021, we partnered with Fervo Energy in the US on the world's first corporate agreement to develop an enhanced geothermal power project, which now supplies clean energy to the grid that serves our Nevada data centres. We're also working with Project Innerspace on GeoMap™, a free online tool that provides essential subsurface data and analytics for assessing geothermal potential worldwide.

Accessing Australia's geothermal potential requires overcoming several barriers, including high upfront costs and technical, economic, and regulatory limitations. Fortunately, recent technological advancements are making geothermal energy more accessible than ever before. In addition to new approaches to drilling and accessing geothermal heat, innovations such as fibre-optic sensing and advanced analytics are helping experts explore new possibilities and reduce costs.

Now, a new research study, led by Associate Professor Elham Doroodchi at the University of Newcastle, seeks to help us understand and unlock Australia's geothermal potential. The study will analyse the feasibility of geothermal energy on the East Coast of Australia, and Solution Energy will support the team to complete this study. Should these studies progress understanding and development of geothermal energy, Google Australia will continue to explore further collaboration with Solution Energy and other operators. The findings could also help map Australia's national geothermal resources and inform the development of GeoMap Australia.

With our partners, we look forward to further exploring the potential of geothermal energy, and helping to create a more resilient, sustainable and carbon-free future for all Australians.