ABB and Sage Geosystems have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of geothermal energy storage and power generation facilities. These facilities will harness the natural heat from the Earth to produce clean, sustainable electricity.
The partnership will see ABB support Sage’s agreement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to deliver up to 150 MW of geothermal baseload power in a U.S. location east of the Rocky Mountains. The project’s first phase is set to be operational by 2027.
Under the MoU, ABB will explore how its automation, electrification, and digital technologies can be integrated into geothermal sites globally to improve energy efficiency and reliability. This could include providing systems like distributed control, electrical infrastructure, and advanced digital solutions for asset management, optimization, and cybersecurity. The collaboration may also extend to developing energy storage solutions that work alongside intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
“We aim to scale our Geopressured Geothermal Systems (GGS) technology, and our partnership with ABB will help bring next-generation geothermal solutions to a wider market,” said Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage Geosystems. “Unlike other renewable sources, geothermal offers a reliable and continuous clean energy supply, available 24/7 throughout the year.”
Geothermal energy holds significant potential in the future energy landscape, with enhanced geothermal systems producing minimal to no greenhouse gas emissions. The GGS process involves injecting pressurized fluid into a man-made underground reservoir. The heated fluid is then used to generate electricity by passing through heat exchangers and turbines. In the U.S. alone, geothermal energy could provide enough heat to power over 65 million homes.
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries, emphasized the importance of cross-industry collaborations for advancing geothermal technology. “Sage’s GGS provides a reliable, low-carbon energy source and storage solution, which can play a crucial role in the global energy transition.”
Geothermal energy, which currently makes up 0.3% of the world’s power supply, is expected to grow rapidly. Installed capacity is projected to reach 28 GW by 2030 and exceed 110 GW by 2050. The industry is anticipated to attract over $120 billion in investments by 2035.
ABB, a leader in electrification and automation, is committed to enabling a more sustainable future through its engineering and digital expertise. With over 140 years of history and 110,000 employees globally, ABB continues to help industries improve performance while becoming more efficient and sustainable.
