ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Greece is sitting on a hidden treasure trove right beneath its feet not gold or oil, but something far more sustainable and exciting: geothermal energy. By: Robert Buluma In mid-December 2025, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (ΥΠΕΝ) took a major step forward by publishing two key ministerial decisions that officially classify geothermal fields across the country. The first decision (ΥΠΕΝ/ΔΑΠ/142903/684, published in Government Gazette ΦΕΚ 7320/Β/2025) designates 14 geothermal fields of local interest, featuring temperatures ranging from 30°C to 90°C—perfect for direct-use applications like district heating, greenhouse agriculture, spa tourism, aquaculture, and even small-scale electricity generation. The second decision upgrades the Stypsi field on Lesvos to national interest status (based on updated data from ΔΕΗ Ανανεώσιμες), with temperatures exceeding 90°C and reservoir depths of 250–600 meters. This opens the door to larger-scale, high-enthalpy geothermal power production. W...

Today marks a pivotal moment in the global push toward industrial decarbonization. Italian engineering powerhouse Turboden S.p.A . By:  Robert Buluma a proud subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries , has officially announced the successful startup of what is being hailed as the world’s largest steam-producing heat pump. Installed at the facilities of delfort , a renowned global leader in specialty papers, this innovative system is already exceeding expectations and setting a powerful new standard for sustainable industrial heat generation. A Breakthrough in Green Industrial Steam Industrial processes, particularly those in energy-intensive sectors like pulp and paper manufacturing, have long relied on fossil fuel-based boilers to produce the high-temperature steam essential for operations. These traditional systems contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, making decarbonization a major challenge. Enter Turboden's groundbreaking solution: a Large Heat Pump (LHP) inte...

Vulcan Energy Advances Lionheart Project with Drilling of Second Production Well at Schleidberg Site By: Robert Buluma Image source: ALPHAXIOMS  Posted by Alphaxioms Geothermal News | February 19, 2026 In the rapidly evolving world of renewable energy and sustainable resource extraction, few projects capture the imagination quite like Vulcan Energy Resources' Phase One Lionheart Project in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley. This innovative endeavor combines geothermal energy production with the extraction of battery-grade lithium from deep geothermal brines, offering a low-carbon, domestic solution to Europe's growing demand for critical minerals in the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. The latest milestone comes from Vercana GmbH, Vulcan's in-house drilling subsidiary. In a recent update shared on social media, Vercana announced the commencement of drilling for the second production well, designated LSC-2, at the Schleidberg site. This follows the successful completion ...

The Geothermal Gold Rush: Unearthing Lithium from Earth's Hidden Depths In the scorched heart of California's Imperial Valley, beneath the shrinking, saline expanse of the Salton Sea, a quiet revolution is brewing. This isn't the dusty prospecting of old gold rushes it's the hunt for lithium, the silvery metal essential to the batteries powering electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and the modern world. Global demand for lithium is exploding, with forecasts predicting a fivefold increase by 2030 as the world races toward net-zero emissions. Conventional extraction methods massive open-pit mines in Australia or sprawling evaporation ponds in South America's "Lithium Triangle" exact a heavy toll: enormous water consumption, ecosystem disruption, and significant carbon footprints. Enter geothermal brine extraction: a smarter, cleaner alternative that turns the planet's natural heat into a dual resource. Hot, mineral-laden brines superheated fluids...

KenGen’s Olkaria Topping Units: A Strategic Leap for Kenya’s Geothermal Dominance By: Robert Buluma Image: Kengen Olkaria Field Kenya’s geothermal sector is once again stepping into a higher gear. The release of the RFP for Olkaria Topping Units under reference KGN-BDD-001-2026 signals a bold strategic move by KenGen to maximize steam efficiency, increase power output, and reinforce Kenya’s leadership in geothermal development across Africa. What Are Olkaria Topping Units — And Why Do They Matter? Located in the prolific Olkaria geothermal complex within the Great Rift Valley, the project introduces topping units designed to extract additional energy from high-pressure steam before it enters existing power plants. This is not just an upgrade , it is optimization at scale. Topping units: Increase overall plant efficiency Utilize excess high-pressure steam Enhance megawatt output without drilling entirely new fields Improve return on existing geothermal infrastructure In a capital-inten...

Nevis Geothermal Energy Project Advances with Iceland Drilling Selected for Landmark Drilling Contract By: Robert Buluma The Nevis Geothermal Energy Project has taken a decisive and exciting step forward. In early 2026, the Nevis Island Administration (NIA ) officially selected Iceland Drilling Company (Jardboranir hf. ) as the successful bidder for the critical drilling phase. This award marks a major milestone after years of planning, positioning Nevis closer than ever to harnessing its geothermal resources for clean, reliable baseload power. Premier the Honourable Mark Brantley, Minister of Finance and Energy, has repeatedly highlighted the significance of this development. In updates shared during his January 27, 2026, press conference and subsequent interviews, he confirmed that Iceland Drilling emerged as the top performer in a rigorous, independent evaluation process. The contract covers the drilling of five major geothermal wells—three production wells and two reinjection wel...