NETL - National Energy Technology Laboratory

09/03/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/03/2026 12:47

NETL Partners with NLR on Geothermal Center of Excellence

NETL joins the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) and the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) in announcing the Geothermal Center of Excellence (CoE), a unique effort that will position the U.S. as a global leader in the production of geothermal energy.

Located on the NLR campus in Golden, Colorado, and envisioned and launched by HGEO, the center is led by NLR and enabled by NETL. This collaborative effort leverages the complementary strengths of two of DOE's National Laboratories - along with the expertise from a broader lab consortium of DOE National Laboratories - to advance geothermal energy science and technology and address the most difficult barriers facing geothermal development.

"America has vast geothermal resources beneath our feet that can provide reliable, around-the-clock energy while strengthening our energy dominance," said DOE Under Secretary for Energy Kyle Haustveit. "Under President Trump's leadership, the Geothermal Center of Excellence will leverage the world-class scientific and engineering expertise of our national laboratories in partnership with industry to unlock gigawatt-scale power generation, expand American energy production, and deliver more affordable, reliable, and secure energy to the American people."

Through industry engagement, NLR and NETL will gain insight into industry-relevant geothermal research considerations and accelerate industry-laboratory partnerships.

"We are excited to partner with NLR to deliver innovative energy solutions through the new Geothermal Center of Excellence," said NETL Acting Laboratory Director Sean Plasynski. "This collaboration creates a powerful framework to unlock America's vast domestic energy resources and build a more reliable, affordable energy future."

The Geothermal Center is HGEO's fourth CoE, joining the NETL-led Coal CoE, Oil & Gas CoE, and Critical Minerals & Advanced Alloys CoE. Designed to foster greater engagement with industry, academia, and other stakeholders, the centers are advancing applied research and technology solutions crucial for affordable, reliable, and secure energy.

NETL is a DOE national laboratory dedicated to innovating and accelerating the nation's energy solutions in hydrocarbons, geothermal energy, and critical minerals production. The Lab further strengthens its impact by engaging with industry, academia, and other stakeholders through four strategically located Centers of Excellence: Coal, Critical Minerals & Advanced Alloys, Oil & Gas, and Geothermal. With research sites in Albany, Oregon; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, NETL operates as one laboratory to create advanced energy technologies that support DOE's mission and enable affordable, reliable, and secure energy to fuel human prosperity.

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