Skip to main content

EGEC to announce Ruggero Bertani EGIA award winner at GeoTHERM expo and Congres

  Announcing the Top 5 Most Innovative Geothermal Projects in 2024

The anticipation is building as the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) reveals the finalists for the prestigious Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2024. These groundbreaking projects showcase the forefront of geothermal technology and will be vying for recognition at the GeoTHERM expo & congress, set to unfold between February 29 and March 1, 2024, in Offenburg, Germany.


1. Canopus Drilling Solutions Geothermal BV (Netherlands)

Project: Field pilot of the Directional Steel Shot Drilling technology at VersuchsStollen Hagerbach, CH.


Canopus Drilling Solutions introduces the Directional Steel Shot Drilling (DSSD) technology, proving its ability to drill three times faster than traditional methods. A successful field pilot at VersuchsStollen Hagerbach demonstrated the prowess of DSSD by steering through various rock types and depths, marking a significant leap in drilling efficiency.


2. Deutsche Erdwärme GmbH (Germany)

Project: Geothermal Well GN-Th-1 (Geothermal Project Graben-Neudorf).


Deutsche Erdwärme's project in Graben-Neudorf showcases the innovative use of silicate drilling fluid systems and offshore mud cooler technology. This combination effectively handles extreme subsurface temperatures, enabling exploration of fractured reservoirs in environments reaching up to 2025 Halliburton (Netherlands)

Project: GeoESP Intake: Geothermal Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP) Intake.


Halliburton's GeoESP Intake employs technology from diverse industries to revolutionize Geothermal Electric Submersible Pumps. This project significantly reduces power consumption, manages open-hole completions, minimizes scale formation, and mitigates erosion at the ESP inlet setting depth, offering substantial advancements in high-flow geothermal applications.


 4. HydroVolve UK Ltd (United Kingdom)

Project: The GeoVolve HYPERDRIVE.


HydroVolve's decade-long dedication to research culminates in the GeoVolve HYPERDRIVE, a high-performance percussive drilling system. Proven in 2023 trial wells, this technology not only reduces rig time costs by enhancing the rate of penetration but also minimizes expenses associated with bit replacements, breaking down limitations associated with drilling deep, hard rock formations.


 5. Vulcan Energie Ressourcen GmbH (Germany)

*Project: Lithium Extraction Optimization Plant (LEOP) to produce green lithium in Europe.


Vulcan Energie Ressourcen addresses the growing demand for green lithium with the Lithium Extraction Optimization Plant (LEOP). Operating in the Upper Rhine Graben, this plant utilizes brine from deep reservoirs containing lithium. Through a sophisticated process, it extracts lithium chloride, setting the stage for further refinement into Lithiumhydroxide for battery production.


Philippe Dumas, EGEC Secretary-General, expressed his admiration for the finalists, stating, "I am immensely inspired by the caliber of innovation demonstrated by the five finalists for the Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2024."



As the geothermal industry eagerly awaits the winner announcement at GeoTHERM, these projects exemplify a dedication to excellence, pushing the boundaries of geothermal technology to new heights. The Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award continues to serve as a beacon for recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions to the geothermal energy sector

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

CTR and Baker Hughes Ignite a 500 MW Geothermal Revolution to Power America’s AI Future”

CTR and Baker Hughes Unite for a 500 MW Geothermal Power Breakthrough: Fueling America’s AI and Data Center Growth By:  Robert Buluma The race to power the digital economy has just taken a bold step forward. Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) and Baker Hughes have entered into definitive agreements to develop 500 megawatts (MW) of baseload geothermal power at the Hell’s Kitchen project in Imperial County, California. This world-scale development is set to become a cornerstone of U.S. energy security delivering clean, reliable, around-the-clock energy to power hyperscale data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. A New Era of Geothermal Energy America’s digital economy is expanding at an unprecedented rate, driven by explosive growth in AI applications and hyperscale data centers . Unlike intermittent renewables such as solar and wind, geothermal power operates at capacity factors above 98 percent, making it uniquely suited for industries that demand uninterrupted en...

DSSA and FirstGen Forge Landmark 440 MW Geothermal Partnership to Power Indonesia’s Clean Energy Future

Landmark Geothermal Partnership: DSSA and FirstGen Join Forces to Unlock Indonesia’s Renewable Future By:  Robert Buluma In a groundbreaking move for Southeast Asia’s energy transition, PT DSSR Daya Mas Sakti , a subsidiary of PT Dian Swastatika Sentosa Tbk (DSSA) under the Sinar Mas Group , has officially signed a Framework Agreement with PT FirstGen Geothermal Indonesia , a company of First Gen’s subsidiary Energy Development Corporation (EDC) , the Philippines’ largest renewable energy producer. This landmark partnership marks the beginning of a joint venture to develop up to 440 MW of geothermal capacity across six strategically located sites in West Sumatra, Jambi, West Java, East Nusa Tenggara, and Central Sulawesi . With Indonesia being home to one of the largest untapped geothermal resources in the world, this collaboration is set to unlock significant opportunities for sustainable growth and energy independence. A Strategic Step Toward Clean Energy The joint initiati...

Beyond Oil: How Alphaxioms and Aramco Could Redefine Saudi Arabia’s Energy Future

Alphaxioms Calls for a Bold Partnership with Saudi Aramco: Geothermal, Hydrogen, andCCUS for Saudi Arabia’s Energy Future By:  Robert Buluma Saudi Arabia stands at a historic crossroads. With Vision 2030 charting the Kingdom’s transition from oil dependency to a diversified, sustainable economy, the world is watching how energy giants like Saudi Aramco will redefine their role in the global transition. The stakes are high, and the opportunities are even higher. At Alphaxioms, we believe Saudi Arabia has an unprecedented chance to lead the next wave of clean energy innovation—not just in the Middle East, but worldwide. The time has come to tap into solutions that go beyond incremental change. The Energy Challenge The global community is racing toward net-zero emissions, with 2050 as the defining milestone. Nations and corporations alike are under pressure to deliver scalable, low-carbon solutions that maintain energy security while reducing emissions. For Saudi Arabia, this means ha...

First Geothermal Potential Evaluation in Mexico’s Gas Fields: The Comitas Field Case

October 1, 2025 marks a turning point for Mexico’s clean energy journey. For the very first time, researchers have carried out a geothermal potential evaluation within a gas-producing field in the Burgos Basin  an area traditionally known for its prolific hydrocarbon output. By:  Robert Buluma The study, led by Irving Torres Mata and Dr. Rosa María Prol-Ledesma from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), takes a bold step toward reimagining how oil and gas fields can transition into renewable energy hubs. From Gas to Geothermal: The Burgos Basin Advantage The Burgos Basin, located in northeastern Mexico, has long been recognized as an important hydrocarbon province, boasting strong gas production with some wells also yielding condensates. But beneath its oil and gas story lies another: a geothermal gradient between 40°C/km and 70°C/km , which places it firmly on the radar as a geothermal prospect. Thanks to hundreds of deep wells already drilled in the basin ...
The geothermal energy sector just witnessed a groundbreaking alliance that could reshape the future of clean power. By:  Robert Buluma   On August 28, 2025 ,  Ormat  Technologies, Inc. , a global leader in geothermal development, announced a strategic commercial agreement with Sage Geosystems  Inc. , a pioneer in next-generation geothermal and energy storage technology. This collaboration is more than just another partnership it’s a bold step into the future of geothermal innovation. Unlocking the Power of Pressure Geothermal At the heart of this agreement lies Sage’s Pressure Geothermal technology , an advanced system designed to extract heat from hot dry rock formations deep beneath the earth. Unlike conventional geothermal methods that rely heavily on water reservoirs, Pressure Geothermal leverages both heat and subsurface pressure unlocking new possibilities for deployment in regions once thought unsuitable for geothermal development. Through this par...

GreenFire Energy and Toyo Engineering Partner to Revitalize Geothermal Power Across Asia Pacific

GreenFire Energy and Toyo Engineering Join Forces to Transform Geothermal Projects in Asia Pacific By :  Robert Buluma September 10, 2025 – A groundbreaking partnership has been announced between GreenFire Energy and Toyo Engineering Corporation (TOYO), aimed at advancing next-generation geothermal projects across the Asia Pacific region. The collaboration will initially focus on Japan and Indonesia, two countries with vast untapped geothermal resources, before expanding into North America. Together, the two companies plan to unlock the full potential of existing geothermal fields by introducing innovative, closed-loop geothermal systems. A Leap Forward for Baseload Geothermal Power GreenFire Energy brings to the partnership its patented closed-loop and advanced geothermal systems (AGS). These systems are designed to capture heat and revitalize geothermal wells that conventional methods can no longer efficiently use. By pairing this with TOYO’s engineering, procurement, constructio...

Revolutionizing Renewable Energy: Texas Paves the Way for Closed-Loop Geothermal Innovation

Pioneering the Future of Geothermal Energy: Texas Leads the Way with Closed-Loop Systems By: Robert Buluma Vallourec's closed loop concept North of Houston, a transformative geothermal initiative is reshaping the energy sector. NOV, a key player in drilling and completions technology, has successfully completed an 11,500-foot closed-loop geothermal test well, marking a significant step forward in renewable energy development. This project highlights the growing potential of closed-loop geothermal (CLG) systems to redefine energy production. Ejen it comes to Geothermal,Innovation and Technology is key and we have seen alot of new findings lately. Unlocking New Possibilities in Geothermal Energy Unlike conventional geothermal systems that rely on naturally occurring underground water sources, CLG technology operates using a sealed system. A specialized heat transfer fluid circulates through a continuous loop, absorbing heat from deep underground rock formations and transporting it to...

Pentagon Expands Geothermal Push to Strengthen Military Energy Security

Pentagon’s Power Play:  DoD Expands Geothermal Push to Fortify U.S. Military Energy Security By:  Robert Buluma In a move that blends cutting-edge clean energy technology with the uncompromising demands of national security, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is ramping up its geothermal initiatives to ensure mission assurance and round-the-clock power for military installations. The stakes are high — with threats from wildfires, extreme weather, cyberattacks, and power shortages looming larger than ever, the Pentagon is betting on geothermal’s resilience to keep bases operational no matter the conditions. A United Front for Energy Resilience Through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) , the DoD is partnering with the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines to de-risk geothermal development and pave the way for full-scale power plant construction on military bases. Six geothermal innovators have been tapped for the mission: Eavor  – Pioneers in closed-loop geotherma...
Ormat  Secures 25-Year PPA Extension – Powering Southern California with Geothermal Energy Until 2052 By: Robert Buluma In an era where the world’s energy future hinges on reliability, resilience, and sustainability, Ormat  Technologies has just delivered one of the most significant announcements in the geothermal sector. On August 25, 2025, the Nevada-based geothermal powerhouse confirmed the signing of a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) extension with the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) . This milestone means that the Heber 1 geothermal facility , located in California’s Imperial Valley, will continue delivering 52MW of clean, around-the-clock electricity to millions of Californians until 2052 . For the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) , this deal secures a cornerstone of California’s baseload renewable energy future . A Cornerstone of California’s Clean Energy Transition “This agree...

Vulcan's Electric Rig Set To Extract Upper Rhine Grabens Lithium From Geothermal Brine

Unlocking the Power of Geothermal Brine: Vulcan’s Lithium Revolution By: Robert Buluma Image Credit: Worksite on Unsplash Harnessing Geothermal Brine for a Sustainable Future The demand for lithium is skyrocketing as the world shifts toward electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. Vulcan Energy is at the forefront of this revolution with its ambitious Phase One project, "Lionheart,"which aims to extract lithium hydroxide monohydrate from deep within the Earth's crust. But what makes Vulcan’s approach groundbreaking?   By utilizing hot, lithium-rich geothermal brine from the Upper Rhine Graben, Vulcan is not just producing lithium but also generating clean energybsetting a new benchmark for sustainable lithium extraction.   Vulcan’s “Lionheart” Project: A Game-Changer for Lithium Production Vulcan Energy’s "Lionheart" project is a pioneering initiative that will produce 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate annually, a critical component for EV batter...