Brookhaven gets geothermal energy grants

Brookhaven National Laboratory has been awarded up to $600,000 in U.S. Department of Energy grants to develop geothermal energy technology, part of a $38-million government initiative to lessen the nation's dependence on fossil fuels.

Spearheaded by chemist Toshifumi Sugama, two Brookhaven projects will focus on developing new forms of cement and sealer compound to stand up to the pressures of drilling and help protect steel casings at high temperatures.

In a statement Friday, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said the overall initiative will fund 32 projects in 14 states to "develop the nation's geothermal resources, create skilled jobs for American workers, and help diversify our energy portfolio.

Thomas Butcher, head of the Lab's Energy Conversion Group, said, "This funding will help us advance Brookhaven's energy-related materials research and work towards bringing the next generation of enhanced geothermal systems to market. Geothermal energy represents a clean, abundant, renewable alternative to burning fossil fuels for heating and power, and can help our state and nation reach their renewable energy goals."

Geothermal energy is often derived by drilling deep underground to tap steam and very hot water to generate electricity.

The grants were funded through the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and are part of President Barack Obama's goal of generating 80 percent of domestic electricity from clean energy sources by 2035.

Sugama has won four R&D 100 Awards, given annually by R&D Magazine to the top 100 technological achievements of the year, according to the Brookhaven Lab website.