3M Is Unlocking the Potential of Geothermal Energy
Originally published on 3M News Center
As the world looks for reliable, renewable sources of energy, geothermal power is heating up. In fact, companies and communities are tapping it to provide both electricity and district heating, offering a steady source of clean energy that operates around the clock.
With global installed capacity exceeding 15 billion watts of power for electricity and direct-use applications for heating expanding worldwide, the sector has grown steadily in recent years and the International Energy Agency predicts that geothermal could meet up to 15% of global electricity demand growth by 2050. However, much of its potential remains untapped, requiring continued innovation and investment to be fully scaled.
“Geothermal is one of the most promising frontiers in clean energy, but it comes with some of the toughest material challenges,” said Amy McLaughlin, president at 3M Advanced Materials and Transportation Product Platforms. “At 3M, we are committed to applying our materials science expertise to create solutions that withstand extreme heat and pressure, further helping our customers’ geothermal systems to deliver reliable performance at scale.”
One of the most pressing challenges in next-generation geothermal is the harsh environment deep underground, where extreme heat threatens to damage sensitive electronics and equipment. To combat this, 3M is applying its technologies to help its customers safeguard their tools and potentially extend their products’ lifespan, reducing their costly downtime and increasing their efficiency. For example:
- 3M™ Glass Bubbles are high-strength hollow microspheres with low thermal conductivity and density, anticipated to be ideal for thermal and density management applications. They can enhance the thermal insulation properties of composites and may help maintain well control while drilling and cementing new wellbores.
- 3M™ Hydrodynamic Thrust Bearings are engineered to withstand high temperatures, load environment and minimize misalignment, thereby enhancing the customers’ product durability and reliability in both downhole and surface pump equipment
- 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fibers can help deliver corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance, providing strength and stability while potentially reducing maintenance costs.
- 3M™ Silicon Carbide Sliding Bearings: Offer tribological performance under high load including pressure, sliding speed, and temperature.
Together, these 3M innovations are helping geothermal operators optimize their performance in some of the harshest conditions and bringing materials science expertise into one of the most promising and challenging markets of the energy economy, helping to build a cleaner, more dependable global energy future.
