Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act

This bill establishes a comprehensive research and development framework to advance next-generation geothermal technologies, specifically targeting enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop systems, and supercritical geothermal energy. It directs the Department of Energy to create a new research program that awards milestone-based grants for deep drilling projects and establishes a center of excellence to coordinate efforts across universities, national laboratories, and private partners. Key provisions include updating federal data repositories to standardize subsurface information, commissioning deep exploration boreholes to map heat and rock properties, and funding innovations in drilling equipment, power generation efficiency, and water usage. The legislation also mandates periodic reports on the commercialization barriers of these technologies and authorizes $5 million annually through 2031 to support these initiatives.