Bedrock Energy: Geothermal for Data Centers & Comfortable Offices

Harnessing Earth's Internal Heat: A New Energy Source

Beyond traditional fossil fuels, a significant energy source exists beneath the surface. By drilling to sufficient depths, the consistent temperature of the Earth can be utilized for both heating and cooling applications in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Current Limitations in Geothermal Drilling

Currently, many geothermal wells are limited to a depth of approximately 500 feet. This constraint is primarily dictated by the capabilities of commonly employed drilling technology.

“Shallower depths necessitate a considerably larger land area for effective operation – typically two to three times more space,” explains Joselyn Lai, co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Energy, in a recent interview with TechCrunch.

Bedrock Energy's Deep Drilling Approach

To optimize land usage, Bedrock Energy focuses on drilling to greater depths.

“In regions where cooling demands are prevalent, depths of 800 to 1,000 feet can enhance space efficiency threefold. Conversely, in heating-focused areas, depths ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 feet, or even greater, can improve efficiency by a factor of two,” Lai stated.

Targeting Commercial Applications

Due to its reduced land footprint, Bedrock Energy is initially concentrating on commercial buildings, where land availability is often limited. The company successfully completed its first two installations last year – one at a Texas office building and another at a Utah resort.

Lai anticipates achieving project-level profitability within the next year for installations of this type.

Exploring Geothermal Cooling for Data Centers

Bedrock Energy has begun investigating the potential of applying geothermal cooling solutions to data centers. A partnership with Dominion Energy was initiated last fall to conduct a feasibility study.

Challenges with Data Center Integration

A key challenge lies in the continuous heat dissipation required by data centers. Servers generate heat constantly, leading to year-round heat dumping into the ground. This contrasts with buildings that alternate between heating and cooling needs, resulting in a more balanced energy cycle.

Promising Results and Synergies

Despite this challenge, initial findings are encouraging, according to Lai. Subsurface conditions, such as the presence of fast-flowing groundwater, can significantly accelerate cooling. While borehole spacing may need to be wider, increasing costs, Bedrock’s analytical models – informed by expertise from the oil and gas industry – suggest geothermal is a viable option for data centers.

This is particularly true when integrated with solar farms, which also require substantial land areas.

“Geothermal cooling generally exhibits twice the efficiency of conventional water and air cooling systems, especially during peak demand periods characterized by high temperatures and humidity, conditions common in many data center locations,” Lai explained.

Consistent Energy Consumption

Geothermal energy offers the advantage of consistent electricity usage. The stable temperature of the Earth minimizes the need for heat pumps to adjust to fluctuating air temperatures, unlike air-source heat pumps.

This stability can translate into cost savings for large energy consumers like office buildings and data centers, as utilities often impose higher charges during peak demand periods.

Future Outlook and Investment

Lai expressed a positive outlook for the future of geothermal energy, prompting continued investment in operational expansion and research & development. A key focus is on automating installation processes to accelerate deployment.

To support this growth, Bedrock Energy recently secured $12 million in Series A funding, led by Titanium Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, and Sustainable Future Ventures, with participation from Cantos, Elemental Capital, First Star Ventures, Overture Ventures, Toba Capital, and Wireframe Ventures.