7% to 1% of total utility-scale generation, depending on year-to-year variations in hydrology and plant operations. While this percentage may appear small compared with fossil fuels or renewables like wind and solar, geothermal power provides steady, low-carbon electricity and direct heat in regions where geology favors it.
Geothermal Versus Other Renewables: How It Stacks Up in US Energy Generation
Innovations in drilling, reservoir characterization, and subsurface imaging are reducing costs and risks, making more regions amenable to geothermal development. Electricity Generation and Direct Use Most large-scale geothermal activity in the US is dedicated to electricity generation, where steam or hot fluid drives turbines connected to generators.
When assessing what percent of geothermal energy is used in the US by state, these five regions account for the overwhelming majority of production, with the rest scattered across Idaho and other geologically favorable areas. Federal incentives such as the Production Tax Credit for geothermal, along with state-level renewable portfolio standards, have helped sustain existing projects and encourage targeted new development.
Geothermal Versus Other Renewables: How US Energy Mix Compares
Nevada adds significant capacity, alongside smaller but important contributions from Oregon, Utah, and Hawaii. Geographic Concentration and Leading States The vast majority of geothermal electricity in the United States comes from a handful of western states where reservoirs of hot water and steam are close to the surface.
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