A fresh assessment from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has thrown a spotlight on Nevada’s Great Basin, suggesting the region could support up to 135 gigawatts of baseload power—about 10% of current U.S. electricity demand. Unlike intermittent sources like wind and solar, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) offer continuous output, making them an increasingly attractive option for utilities focused on reliability and decarbonization.

This potential comes from previously untapped resources spread across six western states—Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. Unlike conventional geothermal systems that rely on naturally occurring underground water circulation, EGS technology engineers the subsurface by creating fractures in hot, impermeable rock formations, allowing water to flow and generate steam-based power.

Read more from E+E Leader here.

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