Meta teams with XGS Energy to build a 150 MW geothermal power plant

In an exciting move towards sustainable energy, Meta has announced a collaboration with startup XGS Energy to establish a 150 megawatt geothermal power facility in New Mexico. While details about the exact location remain under wraps, a representative from Meta clarified that this partnership is intended to promote geothermal energy development rather than being a definitive power purchase agreement. As the tech sector increasingly embraces renewable energy solutions, geothermal power stands out for its ability to generate electricity around the clock without emitting harmful pollutants. This has made it particularly appealing for large-scale data center operations. According to the Rhodium Group, advanced geothermal technologies that access deeper, hotter rock formations could potentially meet nearly two-thirds of the anticipated new energy demands from data centers across the U.S. by 2030. Notably, many geothermal ventures are exploring open-loop systems, which involve injecting water into one well and drawing it out from another, albeit with some loss of water. In contrast, XGS Energy employs a closed-loop system that minimizes water loss by circulating water within a sealed well. This innovative process also utilizes a proprietary mud mixture around the well casing, enhancing the transfer of heat from the surrounding rocks. This partnership between Meta and XGS Energy marks a significant milestone amid a flurry of recent activity in the geothermal sector. Just a day prior, Fervo Energy announced it had secured $206 million to advance its Cape Station power plant, which is set to become the largest geothermal facility globally. Speculation is growing about Fervo potentially going public next year. In a related development, Google has also invested in geothermal energy, committing to purchase 10 megawatts from Baseload Capital to power its data operations in Taiwan, alongside its existing agreement with Fervo for its Nevada facilities. Last year, XGS Energy raised $20 million in Series A funding aimed at developing a commercial-scale prototype in California.