US bases and energy supplies - Project Innerspace

[Paul Nuttall]

Interesting article and report given the recent requirement for bases to be independent of outside sources for months.

https://interestingengineering.com/ener ... -resources

300 GW: US military bases hold some of the largest untapped geothermal resources

Geothermal energy could help U.S. military bases maintain power during prolonged grid outages without relying on fuel deliveries.


Project InnerSpace has identified significant geothermal energy potential across U.S. military installations, with more than 300 gigawatts of possible electricity generation using existing drilling technology. The findings were published just weeks after the administration announced its Fortress America program to strengthen energy security at military facilities.

The report examines where geothermal energy could help military bases generate their own electricity and remain operational during prolonged power outages. It also outlines how installations could reduce their dependence on civilian electricity grids and fuel deliveries.

Military bases hold untapped geothermal potential

The U.S. military already has some experience using geothermal energy. A large U.S. Naval facility in California has generated geothermal electricity since 1987. An Army installation in Louisiana has also used ground-source heat pumps for decades.

However, these projects remain limited compared with the potential identified in the report. Most military bases still depend on civilian power grids and diesel generators for backup electricity. While these systems can handle outages lasting several hours, they may struggle during disruptions that continue for weeks or months.

The report identifies geothermal resources beneath military-owned land as a potential solution. Unlike conventional power sources, geothermal systems do not require regular fuel deliveries. They can also operate within military installations, allowing infrastructure to be protected against physical attacks, cyberattacks, and electromagnetic pulse events.


Report maps opportunities across installations

The analysis identifies more than 300 gigawatts-electric of technical electricity generation potential across 158 military installations using current drilling technology. Drilling to depths of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) could increase that figure fivefold to 1,575 gigawatts-electric.

The report also examines other applications. Industrial process heat could provide almost 2,000 gigawatts-thermal across 402 installations. Geothermal-driven absorption cooling could deliver more than 370 gigawatts-thermal across 142 installations.

High-temperature thermal energy networks could offer nearly 900 gigawatts-thermal of heating capacity across 183 installations. Meanwhile, ground-source heat pumps and low-temperature networks could provide more than 1,500 gigawatts-thermal across 238 installations.
All military branches could benefit

The report estimates that Army installations have around 90 gigawatts-electric of technical geothermal potential. Navy and Marine Corps facilities account for more than 110 gigawatts-electric, while Air Force and Space Force installations have over 105 gigawatts-electric.

The analysis used Project InnerSpace’s GeoMap and GeoForce platforms. Chris Murray of Poterre LLC and retired U.S. Air Force Major General Ken Wisian, PhD, authored the report. Its findings were also peer-reviewed by representatives from every branch of the U.S. military.

“The heat beneath America’s military bases is a strategic asset, just like runways, ports, and fuel depots. The military already owns the land and has the contracting tools to develop this unbreakable energy. This report gives decision-makers a base-by-base map of where to start,” said Wisian.
Geothermal could strengthen military readiness

The findings come as energy security becomes an increasingly important concern for military planners. Attacks on critical infrastructure, extreme weather, and disruptions to global fuel supplies can threaten the ability of military installations to remain operational.

“At a time when adversaries are probing critical infrastructure for vulnerabilities and conflicts abroad strain global supply chains, energy resilience at our military bases is an urgent national security imperative,” said Jamie Beard, Executive Director of Project InnerSpace.

She added that geothermal energy could help protect military installations from fuel shortages and supply chain disruptions while supporting operational readiness.

The new report is titled ‘From Bases to Baseload: Geothermal Development and Energy Security on American Military Bases’.

https://projectinnerspace.org/resources ... seload.pdf

[Belushi TD]

I'll be interested to see if they've managed to crack the metallurgy issue. The biggest impediment to high temperature geothermal is that high temperature water that comes from underground usually is highly corrosive to whatever you try to pipe it with.

Sure, steam plants have been running for centuries at high temps and pressures, but the water they use for that is generally almost potable. The stuff that comes out of the ground can be highly saline, with lots of dissolved metals and gasses in it. The last time I delved deeply into geothermal the biggest issue was that the piping tended to last a LOT less than originally projected due to corrosion/erosion issues.

I think, but am not certain, that each well has to have its own specific metallurgical mix in the alloy, which makes it fairly cost prohibitive.

Of course, the last time I looked was probably 20 years ago.

Belushi TD

[jemhouston]

My first thought when you said metals had issues with geothermal power was ceramics.

Found this https://pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/pdf/IGA ... /Lowry.pdf.

I read it but it's over my head.

Also found this https://carbo.tech/industries/energy/ce ... le-energy/

I'm wondering if someone wargame an attack on the US power grid and the effects on US military and they were scared by the results.

[Nightwatch2]

My first thought when you said metals had issues with geothermal power was ceramics.

Found this https://pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/pdf/IGA ... /Lowry.pdf.

I read it but it's over my head.

Also found this https://carbo.tech/industries/energy/ce ... le-energy/

I'm wondering if someone wargame an attack on the US power grid and the effects on US military and they were scared by the results.

Oh yes indeed. That has been a concern for a very long time.

[Belushi TD]

My first thought when you said metals had issues with geothermal power was ceramics.

Found this https://pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/pdf/IGA ... /Lowry.pdf.

I read it but it's over my head.

Also found this https://carbo.tech/industries/energy/ce ... le-energy/

I'm wondering if someone wargame an attack on the US power grid and the effects on US military and they were scared by the results.

In response to the first paper, at a very cursory read, they don't seem to go into a lot of detail about how long an area they can do at once. If they can only do 50 feet at a time, its going to take a VERY long time to get down the hot rocks.

I've not read the other paper yet. Will try to do so over the weekend.

Belushi TD