Deep Geothermal Energy: The Green Power for AI Growth

The Rise of AI and Its Energy Challenges

Artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming our daily habits, industries, and economies. However, this digital revolution comes with a massive increase in electricity demands, particularly to power the data centers that are central to this technology. According to the International Energy Agency, by 2030, the electricity consumption of data centers could match that of an entire country like Japan. Currently, a typical data center consumes as much electricity as 100,000 households, and the mega data centers under construction are expected to consume twenty times more.

In the face of this exponential demand, it is crucial not to simply increase the capacity of gas or coal power plants, as this would contradict global climate goals. On the contrary, it is necessary to develop low-carbon solutions capable of providing stable and continuous energy production on a global scale. Among these solutions, deep geothermal energy, which has long been overlooked, now shows promising potential.

Deep Geothermal Energy: A Low-Carbon Alternative

For decades, geothermal energy for electricity production was limited to specific geological areas. However, in the United States, thanks to advancements in research and development and significant investments, new cutting-edge geothermal technologies, known as "Advanced" and "Enhanced," are radically transforming the potential of this energy source. These technologies now allow for the extraction of geothermal heat regardless of the permeability or nature of the soil.

The first technology, known as "closed-loop," uses a fluid circulating through pipes deeply buried in hot rock to capture heat and produce electricity. The second technology, known as fracturing, exploits fluids present in naturally fractured reservoirs by utilizing existing faults in the subsurface.

Commitment from Industry Players

Major companies in the oil and gas sector, which have historical expertise in deep drilling, have been mobilizing for several years to accelerate the development of geothermal energy. This industry sees an opportunity to develop its skills and equipment in a low-carbon energy sector. For these industrial players, geothermal energy is no longer a gamble but a strategic sector.

Vallourec, for example, is a key player in this revolution. The company is one of the few in the world capable of providing the highly technical pipes and connections necessary for deeper drilling while ensuring the performance and reliability of these new geothermal systems.

The United States as Pioneers

In the United States, pioneering companies like XGS and Fervo Energy are already demonstrating the potential of geothermal energy in the field. Fervo Energy, backed by leading investors including Bill Gates, has raised nearly $2 billion since 2017. It recently succeeded in drilling a well 4,500 meters deep in just 16 days, with a drilling speed reaching almost 30 meters per hour, an unprecedented performance comparable to the most efficient oil and gas drilling operations. Fervo Energy aims to provide 100 megawatts of energy directly to data centers by 2026 at competitive costs for renewable energy.

Other tech giants are also taking notice. Google has already begun powering one of its sites in Nevada using deep geothermal energy. Microsoft, Meta, and Gulf funds are also interested in this technology.

A Complementary and Sustainable Solution

It is important to note that geothermal energy is not a miracle solution. Deep drilling carries risks, including seismic or environmental concerns, but the industry is rapidly progressing to mitigate these risks. Geothermal energy should be viewed as a major transitional solution, stable, predictable, and available 24/7, capable of effectively complementing the current energy mix.

However, it will not alone resolve the energy overconsumption associated with AI. It is also necessary to make AI models less energy-intensive, optimize their deployment, and avoid the development of unnecessary infrastructure. In summary, it is about producing better but also consuming better. For AI to become a lever for progress for all, it is crucial to invest now in sustainable solutions like deep geothermal energy, including in Europe and France.