Meta taps clean energy startup Sage Geosystems to power its data centers with geothermal energy

Facebook’s parent company Meta Platforms has struck a deal to purchase up to 150 MW of geothermal energy from clean energy startup Sage Geosystems for its data centers.

The move is part of Meta’s effort to enhance infrastructure to support its expanding artificial intelligence operations, Reuters reported, citing a statement released by the company on Monday.

Sage Geosystems, a Houston-based startup founded in 2020, is focused on making geothermal energy more accessible and cost-effective. The company aims to bring geothermal solutions beyond volcanic regions by using existing oilfield technologies to reach economically viable depths.

Sage’s innovations include geothermal energy storage systems that can work with renewable sources like solar and wind to provide a steady and dependable power supply. These systems offer advantages over traditional storage solutions, such as a smaller footprint, fewer sustainability concerns related to materials like lithium, and enhanced efficiency and storage longevity.

Earlier this year, Sage Geosystems secured $17 million in Series A funding to support EarthStore, a 3MW commercial facility in Texas. This facility will utilize Sage’s Geopressured Geothermal System (GGS) technology to extract energy from pressurized water stored underground.

The facility is designed to store energy both short-term and long-term and will complement intermittent renewable sources. Construction is expected to start in Q2 2024, with completion aimed for Q4 2024.