Bringing Subsurface Intelligence to the Surface: Web app helps people understand geothermal potential of their property location in plain language. I thought the concept of this project was worth sharing to a wider audience.
“This project develops Thermal Atlas, an AI-powered tool to assess the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits of geothermal heat pump (GHP) installations for residential and small commercial properties. We aim to accelerate GHP adoption and energy transition goals, reducing carbon emissions in key markets such as Europe and the United States. Upon entering an address, Thermal Atlas leverages generative AI to analyze geospatial, subsurface, building, and other data to generate personalized reports evaluating GHP suitability, installation costs, and energy savings. It features a user-friendly interface with 3D visualizations and conversational AI to simplify decision-making and connect users to vetted providers.”
Extract from April 2025 Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI) Generative AI challenge.
“The team from Deep Earth Christie Capper and Johannes Hansen are using generative AI to make old geological data useful again. Their AI-powered prototype that analyzes subsurface geology and energy use data to determine whether geothermal systems are viable for a given property.
While their current focus is on Illinois, the long-term goal is a nationwide platform that could help building owners transition to cleaner heating and cooling systems. What sets their approach apart is the use of generative AI to extract information from thousands of historical geological reports – many of them scanned documents or PDFs – and turn that into spatially relevant layers such as depth to bedrock and water table location.
Result is a user-friendly app that lets someone enter a ZIP code or address and see a financial and technical viability analysis for installing a geothermal system, along with maps showing existing systems, subsurface conditions, and potential conflicts. Built with real geospatial intelligence stitched together from fragmented data sources.
“Our prototype helps people understand their geothermal potential in plain language, even if they know nothing about geology,” Capper explained. “It’s about making clean energy more approachable and actionable.”
Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI) is bringing together leading geospatial researchers and some of the largest geospatial data providers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in making the planet’s data more accessible and queryable. The AWS and TGI collaboration, designed to inspire and support the creation, commercialization, and scaling of innovative geospatial applications. AWS offering $1Million in cloud credits.
