Project InnerSpace: Recommendation

Last updated in October 2024.

Giving Green classifies Project Innerspace as one of our top recommendations to address climate change.

Conventional geothermal projects are highly limited by location, but Project Innerspace can help fast-track next-generation geothermal technologies capable of unlocking geothermal energy from more places. We think Project Innerspace’s resource mapping and funding efforts can help reduce project risks and attract more traditional investors, fostering innovation and decreasing costs.

Project Innerspace has an ambitious plan for expanding access to geothermal energy, especially in the world’s top population centers in the Global South. We think its theory of change is backed by strong evidence, and we have been impressed by the thought leadership it has built. Project Innerspace reported a funding gap of $18 million for its global geothermal resource and prospecting map and would use additional funds to build this product.

For more information, see our deep dive research report, a summary below, and our broader geothermal deep dive report.

What is Project InnerSpace?

Launched in 2022, Project InnerSpace is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on expanding geothermal energy globally.

How could Project InnerSpace help address climate change?

Project InnerSpace aims to combat climate change by expanding access to geothermal energy, which can supply carbon-free heat and electricity. We believe geothermal energy is crucial due to its ability to offer reliable, on-demand electricity while addressing the intermittent nature of wind and solar power.

What does Project InnerSpace do?

Project InnerSpace is developing a global geothermal resource and prospecting map, supporting geothermal projects facing funding hurdles, and building momentum for geothermal energy in both the public and private sectors.

What are some of Project InnerSpace's historical accomplishments?

Project Innerspace debuted its African GeoMap module in 2023 and its North America module in 2024. The latter lets users explore and rank geothermal development opportunities based on factors like transmission lines, energy demand, and cost-effectiveness, which we think could be a useful policy and advocacy tool. Members of Project InnerSpace were also lead authors on The Future of Geothermal in Texas, a technical and policy roadmap for building out next-generation geothermal technologies in Texas.

What's new in 2024?

As electricity demand from data centers grows in the US, Project InnerSpace is promoting geothermal energy as a clean, reliable option and accelerating partnerships to help meet this demand. It is also working with other stakeholders to build demand for geothermal heat in the US, and develop policy options that could catalyze funding for next-generation geothermal projects. It also plans to launch GeoMap modules in India and Indonesia in 2024, followed by Brazil in early 2025. Project InnerSpace, alongside its partners, also launched the Geothermal Energy from Oil and Gas Demonstrated Engineering initiative, which will adopt best practices from the oil and gas industry to address barriers to scaling next-generation geothermal technologies.

What would Project InnerSpace do with your donation?

DProject InnerSpace reported that it would need between $3 to $5 million to manage and launch GeoMap in India and Southeast Asia, and that its progress on this project will match how quickly it fundraises. Project InnerSpace would also use additional funds to support its US policy work, such as examining incentives that could expand geothermal energy use in agriculture and data centers. Additionally, Project Innerspace anticipates a funding gap for its GeoFund, a venture whose nonprofit activities include funding catalytic projects in low- and middle-income countries.

Why is Giving Green excited about Project InnerSpace?

Project InnerSpace supports geothermal energy in a way that emphasizes fast iteration and quickly getting next-generation technologies on a learning curve to drive costs down. We think there is strong evidence to support its theory of change, that Project InnerSpace has positioned itself as a leader in the geothermal sector, and that it has capacity for more funding.

Explore ways to give to Project InnerSpace and more.

As Giving Green is part of IDInsight Inc., which is itself a charitable, tax-exempt organization, we are only offering an opinion on the charitable activities of Project InnerSpace and not on the for-profit side of its GeoFund, which includes both for-profit and nonprofit arms. This is a non-partisan analysis (study or research) and is provided for educational purposes.