The US Department of Energy (DOE) is providing up to $31 million (£18.2m) for a field laboratory dedicated to “cutting-edge” geothermal energy research.

The funding will be used for the initial phases of the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE), which will look into enhanced geothermal systems (EGS).

EGS are engineered reservoirs which are created beneath the surface of the Earth where there is hot rock but limited pathways through which fluid can flow.

These pathways allow fluid to circulate through the hot rocks and carry heat to the surface to generate electricity.

Dave Danielson, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy said: “The FORGE initiative is a first-of-its-kind effort to accelerate development of this innovative geothermal technology that could help power our low carbon future.

“This field observatory will facilitate the development of rigorous and reproducible approaches that could drive down the cost of geothermal energy and further diversify our nation’s energy portfolio.”