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Space-Based Geothermal? Lunar & Martian Thermal Energy Systems

Space-Based Geothermal: Lunar and Martian Thermal Energy Systems By: Robert Buluma Space-based geothermal is one of the most compelling ideas in the future of space exploration. It does not mean building a traditional Earth-style geothermal plant on the Moon or Mars. Instead, it refers to using subsurface materials, thermal storage, and planetary heat-management systems to keep off-world bases alive, warm, and operational in extreme environments . On the Moon, the problem is surviving the long lunar night. On Mars, the problem is keeping habitats and equipment warm enough to function in a constant deep-cold environment . The topic sounds futuristic, but the engineering logic is real. NASA and other researchers have already studied lunar regolith as a thermal storage medium, and recent research continues to frame thermal energy architecture as a major part of sustainable lunar habitation [5][2]. For Mars, habitat studies emphasize thermal management as a core requirement, not a side det...
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"Quaise Energy Raises $134M to Unlock Superhot Geothermal Power, Project Obsidian Targets 50 MW and Gigawatt Scale"

Earth's New Power Plant, Quaise Energy Raises $134M to Unlock Superhot Geothermal Energy By: Robert Buluma In a landmark moment for the renewable energy sector, Quaise Energy has secured $134 million in the first close of its Series B funding round, propelling the world's first commercial superhot geothermal power plant from blueprint to reality. This isn't just another funding announcement, it's a declaration that the era of limitless, clean, baseload energy from beneath our feet has officially begun. The Dawn of a New Energy Frontier The energy industry has been searching for the "holy grail" for decades: a source of power that is clean, reliable, and available everywhere. Quaise Energy believes it has found the answer, not in the sun or the wind, but deep within the Earth's crust. The company's ambitious Project Obsidian, located in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest, is set to become the world's first commercial power plant to harness sup...
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The Geopolitics of Critical Minerals: Who Controls the Geothermal Brine Supply Chain?

The Geopolitics of Critical Minerals: Who Controls the Geothermal Brine Supply Chain? The geothermal brine supply chain is quickly becoming a geopolitics story, not just an energy story.  By: Robert Buluma As lithium demand rises and governments race to secure strategic materials, control over underground brines, processing capacity, and export rules may matter as much as who owns the power plant.  Introduction For years, geothermal projects were valued mainly for clean baseload electricity and heat. That is changing because many geothermal fields also contain dissolved lithium and other critical minerals, turning brine into a potential dual-purpose asset: energy plus minerals.  That shift matters because critical mineral supply chains are already highly concentrated, and Europe is actively trying to reduce reliance on single-country suppliers through the Critical Raw Materials Act.  China remains central to lithium processing and broader mineral refining, giving it...
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Global Geothermal Investment Outlook 2026–2035: High‑Growth Markets, Financing Trends, Risks and Opportunities for Private Renewable Energy Investors and Developers

Global Geothermal Investment Outlook 2026–2035 By: Robert Buluma Geothermal energy is entering a high‑growth decade, shifting from niche technology to a strategic pillar of the global clean‑energy transition between 2026 and 2035. Capital expenditure on geothermal is expected to rise strongly—around 20% annually through 2030—before consolidating at higher absolute levels as more markets mature and policies stabilize. Why Geothermal Is Heating Up Several converging drivers explain why geothermal is becoming central to investment strategies. Governments and utilities are grappling with the challenge of integrating large shares of wind and solar while preserving grid stability and energy security; geothermal’s firm, 24/7 output makes it a valuable complement to variable renewables. At the same time, rising carbon prices, climate targets, and air‑quality concerns are pushing industries and cities to decarbonize heat, where geothermal is often more competitive than fully electrified alterna...
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Germany Geothermal Joint Venture: Badenova and Herrenknecht Launch Deep Geothermal District Heating Project in Hartheim, Upper Rhine Graben

Next Geration for the Energy Transition: Badenova and Herrenknecht Launch a Geothermal Joint Venture in Hartheim Deep geothermal is moving from niche to necessity in Europe, and the new joint venture between Badenova and Herrenknecht in Hartheim, Germany, is a powerful signal of where the heat transition is heading.For utilities, industrials, and investors tracking the geothermal decade, this project is a live example of how capital, drilling technology, and policy can align to turn subsurface heat into bankable infrastructure. Alphaxioms: Why Hartheim Matters for the Geothermal Decade At Alphaxioms, we focus on geothermal projects that change the trajectory of markets, not just add another asset to the map.Hartheim stands out because it combines a regional utility with a global drilling technology champion in one joint venture, in one of Europe’s most promising geothermal corridors – the southern Upper Rhine Graben. This region already hosts active exploration campaigns and permits, i...
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Stanford Geothermal Workshop 2027: Dates, Abstract Deadline, Hybrid Access, and Key Topics

52nd Stanford Geothermal Workshop 2027 : Dates, Themes, Deadlines, and What Attendees Need to Know Image: Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center The 52nd Stanford Geothermal Workshop will take place February 8–10, 2027 at the Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center on  Stanford University’s campus , and it is already shaping up as a major geothermal industry event. The 2027 edition will again use a hybrid format, with remote viewing available for registered attendees but in-person presentation required for speakers . Why this workshop matters Stanford’s Geothermal Workshop is built around geothermal reservoir science, engineering, and field development, which makes it one of the most technical and credible recurring gatherings in the sector .  Its stated goal is to bring together engineers, scientists, and managers involved in geothermal reservoir studies and development, while also creating a forum for open reporting and exchange of ideas .  That mix gives the event value for res...
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Closed Coaxial Wells vs. Networked Closed‑Well Arrays: Comparing CAPEX, OPEX, LCOE, Heat Extraction Efficiency, and Investment Economics for Next‑Generation Geothermal EGS

Closed Coaxial Wells vs. Networked Closed‑Well Arrays: Which Offers the Better Economics for Next‑Generation Geothermal? By: Robert Buluma Networked closed‑well arrays generally offer better long‑run economics and lower LCOE than standalone closed coaxial wells, especially once projects reach commercial scale in good resources, while single coaxial wells remain valuable for smaller, lower‑risk heat and pilot projects.  Why EGS Economics Now Matter As Much As Engineering Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) are moving from technical demonstration toward commercial deployment, and the primary constraint is shifting from engineering feasibility to project economics.  Multiple techno‑economic studies using tools such as GEOPHIRES and GETEM show that EGS LCOE can span roughly 4.6–57 ¢/kWh depending on resource grade, depth, and technology maturity, with “base case” medium‑grade resources often modeled around 11 ¢/kWh.  These wide cost ranges highlight how drilling productivity, ...
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