US Department of Energy selects AI-driven geothermal energy project
The US Department of Energy has decided to support the MAESTRO project, which aims to safely and economically discover geothermal energy resources using artificial intelligence tools.
The US Department of Energy Office of Science has decided to advance the UC Irvine-led, AI-focused MAESTRO geothermal energy project into a three-year second phase. The project aims to utilize underground heat sources safely and economically to spin turbines and generate electricity.
Transition of the Project to Phase Two
The US Department of Energy Office of Science has decided to advance the geothermal energy project spearheaded by University of California, Irvine engineers into a three-year second phase. Named MAESTRO, this initiative deploys artificial intelligence tools to harness subsurface heat for electricity generation.
Artificial Intelligence and Subsurface Research
Project leader and UC Irvine professor of civil and environmental engineering Mohammad Javad Abdolhosseini Qomi stated that potential geothermal energy underground could power the entire country, but unlocking it safely and economically remains a major challenge. MAESTRO aims to bridge knowledge gaps in complex subsurface environments with an integrated artificial intelligence framework.
Broad Scientific Collaboration
The MAESTRO project brings together five University of California campuses: UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz. Additionally, four national laboratories—Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, Lawrence Berkeley, and Pacific Northwest—along with three private sector partners contribute to the project.
Complex Simulations and Modeling
Due to the inability to directly observe subsurface characteristics, MAESTRO scientists will run complex simulations that account for real-time geophysical data and past learnings. These simulations aim to produce models that predict how fractures will form during fracturing operations.
Earthquake Risks and Open Source
The project also aims to understand and control earthquakes that may result from hydraulic fracturing activities. Researchers stated that the developed tools will be made available as an open-source, browser-based system to academic researchers, policymakers, and the public.