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DOE Allocates $10.75 Million for University Geothermal Research and Workforce Training

DOE’s $10.75 Million University Push Could Reshape the Geothermal Talent Pipeline Image: Thematic image of a geothermal power plant   The U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office has announced up to $10.75 million for U.S. colleges and universities to support early-stage research and training in subsurface energy development. The program sits inside the University Training and Research framework, and it is designed to strengthen the next generation of energy professionals while advancing research relevant to geothermal, oil and gas, and coal-related subsurface challenges . This announcement matters because it goes beyond a simple grant call. It connects university research, student training, and industry relevance in one funding structure, which is exactly the kind of model geothermal advocates have long argued is needed to accelerate deployment. For the U.S. geothermal sector, the message is clear: talent development is now part of energy infrastruct...

Vulcan Energy Powers Ahead: Geox GmbH Acquisition Supercharges Lithium and Renewable Ambitions in Germany

In a move that promises to redefine the renewable energy and lithium landscape in Europe, Vulcan Energy has officially completed its acquisition of Geox GmbH  a bold stride toward streamlining operations and accelerating the energy transition. 



The deal, which includes geothermal wells, renewable energy generation assets, and a valuable geothermal and lithium licence around the City of Landau, Germany, positions Vulcan as a powerhouse in clean energy innovation.
Announced back in September 2024, the agreement aimed to consolidate Vulcan’s upstream Phase One lithium and renewable energy assets. By acquiring 100% of Geox’s holdings — and replacing a prior joint venture and brine offtake agreement — Vulcan has now secured total control of a strategic asset base that will serve as the cornerstone of its ambitious Lionheart Project.
Geothermal, Lithium, and Leadership
The assets at the heart of this acquisition are no ordinary infrastructure. Located in the Landau region — also home to Vulcan’s Lithium Extraction Optimisation Plant (LEOP) and the future Geothermal and Lithium Extraction Plant (G-LEP) — these wells will contribute to both lithium extraction and renewable heating solutions. Vulcan is set to dismantle the current Geox geothermal plant, enhance brine production from the licence area, and initiate local renewable energy supply through the upcoming G-LEP facility.
This move isn’t just about energy — it’s about scale. An estimated 20% of Phase One’s brine production will come from the newly acquired licence area, underlining its importance in the production of lithium battery chemicals for European partners and sustainable heating for German households.
€100 Million Confidence Boost
Vulcan’s visionary approach has not gone unnoticed. The German Federal Government has thrown its weight behind the renewable heating aspect of the project with a substantial €100 million grant — a vote of confidence in the project’s potential to provide green, baseload heating and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
As initial supply to the City of Landau approaches, Vulcan is gearing up for construction and full-scale production — signaling a monumental shift not just for the company, but for the broader clean tech landscape in Europe.
CEO Cris Moreno’s Vision
Vulcan’s Managing Director and CEO, Cris Moreno, emphasized the significance of the acquisition, calling it “the final step in consolidating our upstream renewable energy assets for Phase One.” He noted that it streamlines operations and acts as a critical precursor to finalizing the project’s financing.
“We are at an important juncture in the history of Vulcan,” Moreno stated. “And we look forward to sharing more developments as we transition to the construction and production phase of the project.”
A New Energy Frontier
With the Geox GmbH acquisition complete, Vulcan Energy is not just expanding — it’s electrifying the path to a sustainable future. This strategic move reinforces its position as a leader in geothermal innovation and lithium production, making it a company to watch as Europe charges toward energy independence and climate goals.


Stay tuned. The geothermal revolution in Landau is just getting started. 


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