In a significant move towards advancing geothermal technologies and fostering a new generation of clean energy professionals, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have unveiled the first cohort of geothermal interns under the NSF INTERN program.
This collaboration, the first of its kind under the NSF-DOE Memorandum of Understanding, will see 14 diverse students working on projects with geothermal companies, national laboratories, and state agencies.
The primary goal of these internships is to drive innovation in geothermal technologies and support the DOE’s Enhanced Geothermal Shot™ initiative, which aims to reduce Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) costs by 90% by 2035 while making geothermal power accessible to more Americans.
Diverse Group of Interns
The inaugural Geothermal INTERN cohort comprises students from 11 different colleges and universities across the United States, including two Hispanic-Serving Institutions. These students represent a wide range of backgrounds and academic disciplines, ensuring a rich mix of perspectives and skills in the geothermal field. The interns will receive support through supplements to existing NSF awards.
Internship Projects and Host Organizations
Each intern will be engaged in a unique geothermal project, collaborating with various host organizations. Here’s a glimpse of some of the projects and participating institutions:
- Central Michigan University: Machine learning for accurate temperature determination during initial drilling of geothermal wells.
- Colorado School of Mines: Geochemical analysis of core samples from geothermal wells.
- Florida State University: Numerical modeling and fluid dynamics for enhanced geothermal systems.
- Northwestern University: Investigating waste heat in urban environments to support community-scale geothermal technologies.
- The Pennsylvania State University: Research on fluid permeability, injectability, and seismic evolution.
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology: Applying data-driven inverse methods to geothermal energy.
- Texas A&M University: Studying induced seismicity related to geothermal development.
- University of Texas at El Paso: Geothermal hydrofracturing using high-frequency seismic data.
- University of Texas at the Rio Grande Valley: Improving geothermal well integrity and heat exchanger technologies.
- University of Utah: Assessing sedimentary basins and shallow crustal velocity models for geothermal reservoirs.
- Virginia Tech: Geochemical and magneto telluric sampling and measurements in geothermal areas.
NSF INTERN Program
Established in 2017, the NSF INTERN program offers research internships to approximately 300 graduate students annually, spanning up to six months. It aims to equip graduate students with essential professional skills and competencies across various sectors in the U.S. economy. Importantly, the program encourages the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
With joint support from the DOE and NSF, the Geothermal INTERN program is expected to extend its support to up to 20 students in fiscal year 2024.
This collaborative effort represents a significant step towards cultivating a well-trained workforce in clean energy technologies and unlocking the untapped potential of renewable geothermal power in the United States.
For more information about the Geothermal INTERN opportunity, you can visit the GTO’s INTERN webpage and NSF’s website. Stay tuned for updates as these talented interns contribute to the future of sustainable energy.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).