Geothermal resource assessment of DOD facilities in the US (gradus)

The University of Texas at Austin received a $340,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command under the Basic Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.431) on September 30, 2025, with completion scheduled for September 29, 2026. This award funds the Geothermal Resource Assessment of Department of Defense (DoD) Facilities in the US (GRADUS) project, which will be conducted at UT Austin's Austin, Texas facilities. The project supports fundamental scientific investigation aimed at identifying and evaluating geothermal energy resources available at DoD installations across the United States, contributing to the Army's long-term national security needs and technological capabilities in renewable energy assessment and utilization.

The Basic Scientific Research program supports high-risk, high-payoff research across multiple scientific disciplines to advance strategic land power capabilities. Under this award, UT Austin will leverage its established expertise in advanced research and engineering to conduct comprehensive geothermal resource characterization and assessment activities that will inform DoD facility energy planning and sustainability initiatives. The one-year performance period aligns with the program's emphasis on focused research efforts that can be structured as discrete, severable units of work.