ABB (Switzerland) - ABB and Sage Geosystems (Sage), a leading company in energy storage and geothermal electricity production, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop innovative solutions in the renewable energy sector. The goal of this partnership is to enhance the generation of clean electricity from the Earth's natural heat through geothermal power plants and energy storage systems.

Project with Meta and Global Expansion

This agreement will enable ABB to support Sage in executing its contract with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to deliver up to 150 MW of geothermal energy at a location east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. The first phase of this project is expected to be operational by 2027.

In addition to this commitment, ABB will explore how its automation, electrification, and digitalization solutions can be applied to geothermal power plants worldwide. This may include the implementation of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), optimized electrical infrastructure, and advanced digital tools such as asset performance management, process optimization, and cybersecurity.

The partnership also envisions the development of technologies to optimize Sage’s energy storage systems, enabling efficient integration with other intermittent renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy.

Innovative Technology and Positive Environmental Impact

Sage Geosystems' CEO, Cindy Taff, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in expanding Geopressured Geothermal Systems (GGS) technology—an innovative geothermal system that provides clean energy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Advanced geothermal systems have a low environmental impact, emitting little to no greenhouse gases. The GGS process involves injecting fluid at high pressure into a man-made underground reservoir. The stored water is heated above 150°C and, using pressure or mechanical energy, returns to the surface, passing through heat exchangers and turbines to generate electricity.

In the United States, it is estimated that geothermal energy could harness enough thermal resources to power more than 65 million homes.

Geothermal Market Growth and Future Investments

According to Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries, the growth of geothermal energy depends on cross-sector collaboration to drive technological advancements. “Sage’s GGS offers the ability to produce low-carbon electricity, as well as an effective energy storage solution, and can play a crucial role in the energy transition.”

Currently, geothermal energy accounts for just 0.3% of global electricity production, but this figure is expected to grow significantly. According to Rystad Energy, the installed global capacity of 16.8 GW is projected to increase to 28 GW by 2030 and could exceed 110 GW by 2050. The geothermal market is expected to attract over $120 billion in investments by 2035.

ABB, a multinational leader in electrification and automation technology, continues to invest in digitalization and innovation to make industries more efficient and sustainable. With more than 140 years of history and approximately 110,000 employees, the company remains committed to a more sustainable future, contributing to a lower carbon footprint worldwide.