The geothermal industry is at the cusp of significant transformation, buoyed by strong support from President Donald Trump’s administration. Unlike other energy verticals facing policy hurdles, geothermal is being highlighted as a strategic player in achieving energy sustainability due to its reliability, efficiency and compatibility with existing energy systems.

Central to this momentum is the collaboration between two critical players in the field: the low-temperature heat pump industry and the high-temperature geothermal sector. Together, they have the potential to redefine thermal energy use and efficiency across the United States.

The administration’s geothermal focus

The Trump administration’s vocal endorsement of geothermal energy signals a paradigm shift for renewable energy advocates and the broader energy landscape. By explicitly naming geothermal alongside hydropower and nuclear as cornerstones of its National Energy Emergency executive order, the administration has set the stage for innovation and investment. 

President Trump’s policies, focused on achieving national energy independence and reliability, have aligned seamlessly with the advantages geothermal energy offers. Its 24/7 availability and scalability make it a compelling alternative to intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar, ensuring stability for the nation’s electricity grid.

This policy environment is creating a fertile ground for collaboration across sectors. Low-temperature geothermal technologies, such as ground-source heat pumps, are already well-established in residential and commercial settings. High-temperature geothermal solutions, meanwhile, operate at scale to generate electricity or heat entire districts. 

By working together, these two sectors can unlock synergies that not only improve performance but also establish geothermal as a versatile, indispensable energy source.

Thermal energy networks as the missing link

At the heart of this collaboration lies the concept of thermal energy networks (TENs). These integrated systems connect heat sources and sinks at various scales, creating a dynamic flow of thermal energy between buildings, industries and generation facilities. TENs have bridged the gap between low-temperature and high-temperature geothermal applications. Instead of operating in silos, these networks create a cooperative ecosystem where resources can be shared efficiently.

Consider the analogy of a stick: when you pick up one end, you automatically pick up the other. This metaphor captures the interconnected nature of geothermal energy systems. Low-temperature geothermal technologies, such as heat pumps, draw energy efficiently from moderate depths for heating and cooling buildings. 

High-temperature geothermal plants tap into reservoirs far beneath the surface to generate electricity. TENs integrate these two ends of the spectrum, ensuring that energy extracted from one application can ripple across the network to serve multiple purposes.

For example, waste heat from a high-temperature geothermal plant can be recycled into a TEN to provide heating for nearby buildings equipped with heat pumps. Conversely, buildings with heat pumps can stabilize grid demand during peak hours, complementing power generation from large-scale geothermal plants. This interplay maximizes efficiency and minimizes waste, a hallmark of sustainable energy design.

Industry collaboration as a driver of innovation

The integration of low- and high-temperature geothermal systems is more than a technical challenge; it is a call for long-term collaboration across industries. Developers, engineers and policymakers all have a role to play in realizing this vision. With strong administrative support and tailored incentives, such as tax credits and streamlined permitting, geothermal companies now have the resources to forge partnerships and develop the necessary infrastructure.

This collaboration is already inspiring innovation. For instance, advanced drilling technologies from the oil and gas sector are being adapted for geothermal applications, significantly expanding the reach of high-temperature systems. Similarly, thermal energy modeling software originally developed for heat pump optimization is being adopted to design TENs.

The upcoming development of pilot projects for integrated TENs offers a glimpse into the future. These initiatives are exploring how urban environments can incorporate geothermal networks seamlessly, leveraging residential heat pumps, central plant commercial heat pumps, ultra-high-temp heat pumps and industrial-scale geothermal plants. For energy-intensive industries and cities, this approach provides a dual advantage of cost-efficiency and electrification, which provides measured decarbonization.

Benefits beyond the utility

Beyond the technical and environmental advantages, the collaboration between low- and high-temperature geothermal systems creates profound economic and social opportunities. By establishing TENs, communities can benefit from lower heating and cooling costs, reduced reliance on external energy sources and improved energy resilience.

On a national scale, scaling up geothermal energy strengthens the country’s energy independence. Widespread adoption also generates jobs across the geothermal industry, from installation and maintenance teams for heat pumps to advanced engineering roles for high-temperature systems. 

Additionally, these innovations align with corporate and municipal goals of achieving net-zero emissions, making geothermal a vital element of the sustainability conversation.

Pioneering a unified energy vision

The convergence of low- and high-temperature geothermal systems is no longer an aspiration; it’s a necessity. Thermal energy networks provide the framework for collaboration, creating efficiencies that multiply the impact of each individual system. The administration’s focus on geothermal energy as a key player in the renewable energy mix gives the industry the structural backing it needs to thrive.

By uniting the geothermal universe under one cohesive strategy, this sector can lead the charge toward an innovative, sustainable energy future. Picking up one end of the geothermal stick means picking up the entire spectrum of possibilities, from localized heating solutions to large-scale power generation. The time to act is now, and the geothermal industry is ready to take the leap.