The United States is undergoing a geothermal energy revolution, with breakthroughs across multiple technology levels—from shallow geothermal exchange systems to advanced deep enhanced geothermal techniques—reshaping the nation's energy landscape. This transformation includes innovative applications in urban high-rises as well as cutting-edge drilling technologies backed by tech giants like Bill Gates and Google. Last month, The Riverie, the largest high-rise geothermal exchange system in the US, became operational in Brooklyn. Beneath this apartment building, 320 boreholes utilize the Earth’s natural constant temperature to provide heating and cooling. According to reports, this system is projected to reduce carbon emissions from heating and cooling by 53% annually compared to conventional residential buildings.

At the same time, enhanced geothermal technology is advancing rapidly. The U.S. Department of Energy forecasts that by 2050, enhanced geothermal projects could supply approximately 90 gigawatts of carbon-free energy—enough to power at least 65 million households. This emerging sector has received clear support from the Trump administration, a rare instance of bipartisan backing within the U.S. clean energy technology sphere. Surging energy demand driven by the artificial intelligence boom is acting as a key catalyst for increased investment in geothermal energy. With deep involvement from tech leaders and dual drivers of technological innovation, the U.S. is positioned to become a global frontrunner in this emerging field.

Shallow geothermal systems are making inroads in urban construction. The Riverie project exemplifies the practical application of geothermal exchange technology in city environments. Using relatively shallow and easily drilled boreholes, the system transfers naturally warmer underground temperatures into the building during winter, and reverses the process in summer by pumping heat back into the ground. Because the system only moves heat rather than generating it, its energy efficiency advantages are significant. Although upfront costs and regulatory barriers may hinder the replication of similar projects elsewhere, in many scenarios the economic and environmental benefits outweigh the costs. The Riverie may well serve as a pioneer for a broader movement, with such systems becoming increasingly common in urban areas across the U.S. and globally.

In contrast to shallow geothermal exchange systems, enhanced geothermal technology follows a different path—developing new methods to drill to unprecedented depths. Traditionally, geothermal systems were only feasible where heat from the Earth’s core naturally reaches the surface, such as at geysers and hot springs. To make geothermal energy a viable alternative almost anywhere on the planet, startups worldwide are working on enhanced geothermal technologies capable of drilling to extreme depths. These companies are drawing techniques from areas like hydraulic fracturing and even nuclear fusion, seeking more advanced ways to fracture and melt bedrock to access the Earth’s heat. Enhanced geothermal startups, such as Houston-based Fervo Energy, have attracted support and capital from tech heavyweights including Bill Gates and Google.

Artificial intelligence presents a double-edged sword for the sector. The AI boom is fueling growth in geothermal research and development investment, serving as a major catalyst for technological progress. While AI is creating energy challenges that geothermal power may help solve, it is also providing key solutions for geothermal development and deployment. AI tools are increasingly being used to identify optimal locations for geothermal systems. However, geothermal expansion still faces critical challenges, including high upfront costs and a shortage of skilled professionals in this emerging and relatively little-known industry.

Yet, even as enhanced geothermal technology attracts most of the attention and faces significant bottlenecks, smaller, lower-profile projects like The Riverie continue to break ground, transforming how cities heat and cool their buildings. Though incremental, these breakthroughs may accumulate into substantial gains in energy efficiency in the years ahead.