Scaling Geothermal in the Super South
Richard is a Principal at Quadrant-i, catalyzing new energy/cleantech companies anchored in Georgia Tech IP, and a Senior Fellow at the Strategic Energy Institute. He co-founded Merit SI, partnered with Turner Enterprises on two successful cleantech companies, served as V.P. Project Development at First Solar, and in leadership at ERCOT ISO.
Hamed is an accomplished leader, entrepreneur and expert in subsurface engineering with extensive experience across the O&G, geothermal, CCS and energy storage sectors with over 350 global projects, blending technical expertise with strategic business development. Hamed has taught industry-focused courses, delivered SPE and EAGE short courses and served as an SPE Distinguished Lecturer in 2012, 2017 and 2020.
With over 17-years of experience as a climate tech developer, Troy von Otnott is now leading geothermal energy development in his home state of Louisiana. Having started the solar industry in Louisiana circa 2008, he's now leading renewable energy development once again in the Pelican state with his new company, HotRok Energy.
Tim Carver is a skilled geoscientist at Exceed GeoEnergy, known for leveraging advanced exploration methodologies to optimize energy extraction. With over a decade of experience across global petroleum and geothermal projects, Tim combines strategic leadership with a passion for sustainable solutions.
In a forward-looking session featuring Richard Gruber of Georgia Tech, Hamed Soroush of Teverra, Troy von Otnott of HotRok Energy and Tim Tarver of Exceed GEO Energy, panelists explored the untapped potential of geothermal energy across the Southeastern United States. Long overshadowed by solar and wind, geothermal is gaining new momentum as a dispatchable, emissions-free power and thermal solution. The session emphasized that while the U.S. currently produces only 3.9 gigawatts of geothermal energy, technical innovation, oil and gas workforce migration and policy alignment are converging to dramatically expand the resource’s role in the clean energy transition.
Geothermal as Thermal Battery and Distributed Resource
Traditionally seen as a source of steady electricity, geothermal is now being reimagined as a high-efficiency, long-duration thermal battery.
One panelist explained that subsurface formations can store injected heat—often excess solar or industrial waste heat—for months at over 90% efficiency.
This storage capability is especially valuable in the Southeast, where geothermal gradients may not support high-output power generation but still allow for heating and cooling through district systems. These distributed energy solutions reduce peak load on the grid and enable emissions reductions in urban and campus settings. The speaker emphasized that this reframing of geothermal as a flexible thermal asset broadens its relevance well beyond traditional geographies.
Oil and Gas Expertise Is a Catalyst for Growth
A key theme throughout the session was the direct transferability of oil and gas industry skills to geothermal development. One speaker noted that companies are redeploying former petroleum engineers, drillers and reservoir modelers to geothermal projects in both North America and Europe. This workforce is not only technically equipped to handle deep subsurface operations but is also familiar with the regulatory and logistical complexities of large-scale energy projects. Another panelist added that this transition is already reducing geothermal development cycles, especially as companies begin to apply directional drilling and enhanced geothermal system (EGS) techniques. However, another speaker emphasized that education and workforce development efforts must accelerate to ensure younger professionals can enter the field with relevant training.
Compact, Reliable and Cost-Effective at Scale
Geothermal’s dispatchability and land efficiency make it uniquely suited for growing energy demands, particularly for data centers and industrial hubs. Panelists highlighted examples of 150-megawatt projects being developed within a site footprint of just a few acres—dramatically smaller than equivalent solar or wind installations. This high power density, combined with a 24/7 output, gives geothermal a capacity factor similar to gas or nuclear. While the upfront costs are often higher, the long-term economics favor geothermal when lifecycle factors are included. One panelist pointed out that solar’s low generation cost often hides the additional system costs of storage and gas peaking. Once these are included, geothermal’s $75/MWh becomes highly competitive, offering stability without emissions or fuel price volatility.
Policy clarity emerged as a critical enabler of geothermal growth. Panelists discussed how current legislative efforts in Louisiana aim to define geothermal ownership and streamline permitting, building on recent successes in states like Texas. One speaker explained that defining surface versus mineral rights and consolidating oversight under a single agency removes ambiguity that can stall projects. These clear frameworks also give utilities and financiers confidence to invest. Another strategy gaining traction is the redevelopment of retired coal plant sites. These locations offer existing interconnection and transmission infrastructure, significantly cutting both cost and timeline. Co-locating geothermal at these sites allows for a smoother transition away from fossil fuels without additional permitting hurdles.
Creative Deployment for the Southern Landscape
Though often overlooked for geothermal development, the Southeast holds substantial potential when approached creatively. A panelist explained that sedimentary basins in Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Georgia and Alabama are viable for deeper geothermal systems. In urban areas, shallow systems can serve as scalable HVAC replacements. Collaboration between energy firms, academic institutions and local governments will be key to raising awareness and adapting deployment strategies to suit regional conditions. Another speaker emphasized that education and demonstration are essential—geothermal won’t scale in the South without public understanding of its benefits and feasibility.
These insights paint a clear picture: geothermal is no longer a niche solution limited to high-heat Western states. With the right mix of policy, people and technology, it can become a cornerstone of the South’s clean energy future—flexible, reliable and rooted in expertise already present in the region.
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