Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from September, 2025

Just In

Geothermal Energy Costs: Why Drilling Discipline Decides Bankable Megawatts

Geothermal Isn't Expensive: The Reservoir Always Has the Final Say Somewhere beneath a volcanic ridge, a drill bit is turning through rock that has not moved in two million years. It costs money every second it turns. And nobody on the surface — not the engineer, not the financier, not the minister who announced the megawatts — knows yet whether that well will produce steam or silence. That single moment explains almost everything people get wrong about geothermal energy. Geothermal is routinely described as expensive, slow, capital-hungry and haunted by drilling risk. Investors are reminded that tens of millions can disappear underground before a single megawatt reaches a grid. All of that is true. But it is not the whole truth. The uncomfortable question the industry keeps avoiding is this: is geothermal expensive, or is the way we develop geothermal making it expensive? Those are two completely different problems. One is geology. The other is us. Why Geothermal Refuses to Be...

Mastering the Subsurface: A Geothermal Reservoir Engineer's Insights on EGS, Stimulation, Digital Twins, and the Future of Clean Baseload Power

Geothermal energy is often called the “quiet backbone” of the clean energy transition. To understand the science, challenges, and innovations driving this sector, we spoke with a seasoned geothermal reservoir engineer with experience spanning the Andes, Nevada, Utah, and volcanic fields worldwide. Here’s what they shared. By:  Robert Buluma This interview was conducted by Robert Buluma, Founder of Alphaxioms. The responses were provided by Jerjes Porlles, Ph.D., Regional Technical & Business Development Manager – Latin America at Avasthi & Associates, Worldwide Energy Consulting. 1. What sparked your passion for geothermal reservoir engineering, and did you ever imagine yourself working in some of the world’s most challenging geothermal fields ? My passion was sparked during my early career in the petroleum industry, specifically in reservoirs. I was fascinated by the subsurface—how fluids move, how heat and pressure interact but it wasn’t until I worked on projects in Peru...

XGS Energy Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone in Geothermal Innovation

XGS Energy  Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone for Water-Independent Geothermal System By : Robert Buluma HOUSTON, Sept 30, 2025 – In a groundbreaking achievement for the geothermal sector, XGS Energy has announced the successful 3,000-hour operation of its water-independent geothermal system at commercial scale. This milestone not only validates the system’s commercial economics but also positions XGS as the first company to demonstrate such technology under real-world, commercial conditions. A New Era in Geothermal Innovation The operations took place at the Coso Geothermal Field in California’s Western Mojave Desert, a site owned by Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure and operated by Coso Operating Company. XGS Energy  revitalized a well that had been idle for over two decades, installing its proprietary closed-loop geothermal system enhanced by Thermal Reach Enhancement (TRE) technology. Flow testing delivered a record performance, maintaining a sustained temperature differenc...

CKW and Localnet AG Examine Geothermal Energy Potential in the Burgdorf Area

CKW and Localnet AG are investigating geothermal energy potential in the Burgdorf region to provide continuous, climate-friendly heat and power. Discover how the project is progressing, what steps are planned, and what it could mean for sustainable energy in Switzerland. Why Geothermal Energy Matters CKW  and  Local Net AG have launched preliminary studies for a possible geothermal project in the Burgdorf region. The goal is to assess whether geothermal energy can be used to produce heat and electricity in a way that is climate-friendly and independent of weather conditions. Unlike solar, wind, and hydropower that depend on daily or seasonal patterns, geothermal can provide continuous, reliable energy an important factor in Switzerland’s push toward climate neutrality. Scope of the Initial Studies In the coming months,  CKW (a subsidiary of the Axpo Group) and  Local Net Ag will: Analyze publicly available underground and geological data. Evaluate the poten...

Cornish Lithium Secures £35M to Advance Geothermal Lithium and Critical Mineral Projects in the UK

Cornish Lithium  Secures £35M in Equity Funding  A Milestone for UK Critical Minerals By:  Robert Buluma In a major boost for the UK’s domestic battery supply ambitions,  Cornish Lithium has announced that it has secured £35 million in new equity funding. This capital raise is intended to propel its key projects closer to construction and commercial stages, marking a pivotal moment in the firm’s trajectory. Backing & Investors The funding round is led by existing institutional backers, with up to £31 million coming from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) , and approximately £4 million from TechMet , a long-standing investor in the company. Cornish Lithium’s legal counsel for the deal was Mayer Brown. What the Funds Will Be Used For Cornish Lithium will allocate the capital toward advancing two flagship projects: Trelavour Lithium Project : The funds will support further engineering work, feasibility studies, and help lead the project toward a construction...

Unlocking Geothermal Power: Subsurface Secrets of Mount Erciyes Revealed”

Mount Erciyes: A Hidden Geothermal Treasure Beneath Cappadocia By: Robert Buluma Beneath the snow-capped slopes of Mount Erciyes , central Turkey’s highest peak, lies more than just volcanic history  it harbors the promise of geothermal energy . A new study published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research has mapped the subsurface of Erciyes using three-dimensional magnetotelluric (MT) imaging , revealing zones of high electrical conductivity that point to heat, fluids, and possible magma bodies deep underground. Cracking the Code Beneath the Mountain Researchers led by S.B. Tank used advanced MT techniques to peer beneath Erciyes and its surroundings. Their results uncovered conductivity anomalies   regions where electricity flows more easily due to the presence of saline fluids, hot water, or partially molten rock . For geothermal experts, these anomalies are gold. They act as subsurface fingerprints of geothermal reservoirs , highlighting where heat ...

Kenya’s Energy Crossroads: Gulf Energy Takes Over Tullow Oil in Turkana’s Geothermal-Rich Fields

Gulf Energy  Takes Over Tullow Oil’s Turkana Fields – Oil Drilling to Overlap a Geothermal Hotspot By:  Robert Buluma In a landmark energy shift for Kenya, British explorer Tullow Oil  has officially exited the country after 14 years , selling its Turkana operations to Gulf Energy  in a deal worth Ksh.16 billion (USD 120 million). The transition marks the end of  Tullow's chapter in Kenya and the beginning of a new phase that could reshape not only oil production but geothermal exploration as well. The takeover grants  Gulf Energy full control of the Turkana oil project , situated in a geologically active zone that also happens to host significant geothermal potential. Beneath Turkana’s arid landscapes, volcanic systems create natural heat reservoirs turning the region into a rare frontier where oil and geothermal energy converge. Tullow Oil  first entered Kenya in 2010, striking the Ngamia-1 discovery well in 2012, which ignited hopes of the countr...

Medco Power Launches Geothermal Drilling in Bonjol, Targeting 60 MW of Clean Energy”

Medco Power  Kicks Off Geothermal Drilling in Bonjol, Targeting 60 MW Clean Energy By:  Robert Buluma Pasaman, West Sumatra – Indonesia’s transition to clean energy has reached another milestone as PT Medco Power Indonesia , through its subsidiary PT Medco Geothermal Sumatra,  officially began drilling its first geothermal exploration well in Bonjol, Pasaman Regency. The inaugural well, BNJ-1 , was spudded on 11 September 2025 in a ceremony attended by the Governor of West Sumatra, Mahyeldi Ansharullah ,  Medco Power President Director Eka Satria , local government leaders, traditional community representatives, and local stakeholders. A Step Toward 60 MW of Renewable Power This drilling marks the first of two planned wells, with a total estimated potential of 60 MW of clean electricity. The project, categorized as part of Indonesia’s National Strategic Projects under the Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL 2025–2034), is expected to be completed by the ...

From Iceland to the World: A Geothermal Engineer’s Journey

A Global Journey in Geothermal: Insights from an Industry Expert From Iceland’s pioneering geothermal plants to Kenya’s wellhead projects and Indonesia’s remote fields, few By: Robert Buluma Image: Lydur skulason with a geothermal well head  professionals have had as wide-ranging a journey in geothermal as Lydur Skulason With decades of hands-on experience in marine engineering, power plant operations, and international project management, he has combined technical expertise with global collaboration to help shape the sector’s growth. In this conversation, he shares lessons from his career, insights on geothermal innovation, and his vision for the future of clean energy. Career & Experience Can you walk us through your career in geothermal and how it began? I began my career in Iceland, where geothermal energy is a natural part of daily life and a cornerstone of the national energy system. After studying Marine Engineering and Mechanical Technology at  Reykjavik Univ...

Ahnsbeck Breakthrough: Lower Saxony’s First Deep Geothermal Project Set to Become a Flagship for Clean Energy

First Deep Geothermal Project in Lower Saxony About to Be Implemented – LBEG President Carsten Mühlenmeier: “Ahnsbeck Could Become a Flagship Project” By:  Robert Buluma Sven Krueger, Managing Director of Baker Hughes , shows LBEG President Carsten Mühlenmeier and SVO Managing Director Holger Schwenke (from left) the drilling rig in Ahnsbeck. “We are now here else in Lower Saxony as far along as we are here.” With these words, Carsten Mühlenmeier, President of the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG), made it clear during his visit to the drilling site near Ahnsbeck (Celle district) that just twelve kilometers east of the former ducal residence city, the first deep geothermal project in the state could soon become reality. Baker Hughes has encountered rock layers at around 2,500 meters depth that register temperatures of 113 degrees Celsius. In the future, this heat could be used, for example, to supply buildings with heating. “Up to now, we have issued 42 explorat...

Łódź Geothermal Milestone: Innargi and Geofizyka Toruń Wrap Up Seismic Surveys"

Łódź Reaches a New Milestone in Poland’s Geothermal Journey By:  Robert Buluma Poland’s renewable energy landscape has taken another significant step forward. In Łódź, seismic surveys aimed at mapping geothermal potential have officially been completed marking another chapter in the nation’s transition toward green energy. Earlier this summer, seismic trucks rolled into the heart of Łódź, covering 160 kilometers of subsurface across the city center and surrounding areas . In just four weeks finishing ahead of schedule the data collection phase was wrapped up. This work builds on similar surveys conducted earlier in Poznań, with both cities forming part of a larger geothermal exploration effort. Why This Matters Seismic surveys are more than just technical exercises. They provide vital insights into the geothermal resources beneath Poland’s largest urban areas , helping scientists and energy planners determine how renewable heat can be harnessed to power district heating systems...

Szczecin Launches Geothermal Drilling Project to Harness Clean Energy

Szczecin Bets on Geothermal Energy: Tender Announced for First Exploration Well By:  Robert Buluma On September 23, 2025, the city of Szczecin officially launched a tender for the construction of its first geothermal exploration well at Dąbska Street. This marks a major milestone in the city’s energy transition, as Szczecin looks to tap into the natural heat beneath its soil as a modern and sustainable energy source. Backed by National Environmental Funding The investment is valued at 12.9 million PLN, with most of the financing secured from the  National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW). The project is part of the national program “Making Thermal Waters Available in Poland”, which supports municipalities in exploring and utilizing geothermal energy for heating and power generation. Thanks to this funding, Szczecin plans to drill the Szczecin GT-2 well to a depth of nearly 2,000 meters. At this depth, experts expect to encounter geothermal water...

Indonesia Powers Ahead: PT SMI and Ormat Forge Strategic Alliance to Finance Geothermal Exploration”

Indonesia Powers Ahead:  PT SMI and  Ormat Join Forces to Finance Geothermal Exploration By:  Robert Buluma Jakarta, September 17, 2025   Indonesia has taken another decisive step toward achieving energy independence and sustainability. PT  Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (PT SMI) , in partnership with PT Ormat Geothermal Indonesia , has announced plans to explore potential financing for geothermal energy exploration in Wapsalit, Maluku and Toka Tindung, North Sulawesi . The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place on the sidelines of the Indonesia International Geothermal Conference and Exhibition (IIGCE) 2025 at the Jakarta International Convention Center, witnessed by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia . The MoU was formalized by Reynaldi Hermansjah , President Director of PT SMI, and Dion Murdiono , President Director of PT Ormat Geothermal Indonesia , alongside senior executives  Sarana Mul...

Popular posts from this blog

Cornish Lithium Awards Halliburton Contract for Geothermal Lithium Project Development

Cornish Lithium awards contract for Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project to Halliburton‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌...

GEL Technical Grade Lithium Milestone Boosts UK Geothermal Supply

GEL’s Technical-Grade Lithium Milestone Could Reshape UK Critical Minerals Supply Geothermal Engineering Ltd’s latest announcement is an important step for the UK’s lithium ambitions. The company says lithium carbonate produced from deep geothermal brine at United Downs now meets the 99.3% purity threshold for technical-grade material, which means it can be sold directly to battery supply chains without further refining.   Why this milestone matters This is significant because it moves geothermal lithium closer to commercial relevance, not just technical proof. A material that already meets market specification is much easier to integrate into downstream battery and industrial supply chains. It also strengthens the case that geothermal brines can support both clean power generation and critical minerals production from the same asset base.   For the UK, the timing is especially relevant. The government has set a target of meeting 10% of domestic critical mineral de...

Saudi Arabia AI Data Centers Adopt Strataphy PrimeLoop Cooling Technology

Strataphy Partners With HUMAIN to Deploy PrimeLoop Cooling Across Saudi Arabia’s AI Data Centers Saudi Arabia is moving rapidly to establish itself as a global artificial intelligence and data-center powerhouse, and one of the most important challenges facing that ambition is not simply how much computing capacity can be installed, but how efficiently that computing capacity can be cooled. At LEAP 2026, Strataphy announced a partnership with HUMAIN to deploy its PrimeLoop® cooling technology across HUMAIN’s data-center infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to the announcement, the engagement represents the first deployment of its kind for PrimeLoop® in Saudi Arabia and is designed to address one of the fundamental constraints of large-scale AI infrastructure: thermal management. The partnership comes as HUMAIN works toward a target of approximately 6 GW of AI compute. At that scale, cooling becomes a strategic infrastructure issue rather than a conventional dat...

COWI and Sinotech Advance Taiwan’s Super-Hot Geothermal Potential

COWI and Sinotech Team Up on Taiwan’s Super-Hot Geothermal Potential Taiwan’s geothermal story is moving from possibility to execution, and the COWI-Sinotech collaboration is a sign that the sector is entering a more serious phase of development. The partnership is focused on unlocking super-hot geothermal resources, which could improve project economics and expand the country’s clean-energy options. Introduction Geothermal has long been one of Taiwan’s most intriguing renewable resources because the island sits on active tectonic terrain with strong heat potential. What has held the sector back is not a lack of heat, but the difficulty of converting that heat into bankable projects at scale. The new collaboration between COWI and Sinotech points to a more technical, internationally connected approach to solving that problem. Why Taiwan Matters Taiwan has ambitious decarbonization goals, and geothermal fits neatly into the need for firm, low-carbon power. Unlike solar and wind, geot...

DOE Launches Geothermal Center of Excellence to Accelerate U.S. Deployment

DOE launches Geothermal Center of Excellence to push U.S. geothermal toward gigawatt scale The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a new Geothermal Center of Excellence in Golden, Colorado, with a clear mandate: connect industry with the national labs, accelerate geothermal innovation, and help move the technology toward gigawatt-scale deployment. The center is part of DOE’s effort to position geothermal as a more competitive source of reliable baseload electricity in the United States.  The announcement matters because it comes at a time when geothermal is gaining fresh attention from policymakers, developers, and power buyers, especially as data centers and industrial users look for firm clean electricity. DOE says the U.S. already leads the world in geothermal electricity capacity at just over 4 GW, but that current output represents only a fraction of the country’s technical potential. [1] Why DOE created it DOE says the new center is designed to become industry’s main en...

Quaise Energy’s Project Obsidian in Oregon: The World’s First Commercial Superhot Geothermal Plant

The New Energy Frontier: Quaise Energy’s Superhot Geothermal Gambit in Oregon By Alphaxioms Editorial Team | September 4, 2026 In the high desert of Central Oregon, a project with implications far beyond Deschutes County is taking shape. Quaise Energy, now backed by a total of $280 million in funding, is advancing Project Obsidian, which it describes as the world’s first commercial superhot geothermal power plant . The company says the first phase is designed to deliver 50 MW by 2030, with a pathway toward 250 MW and ultimately more than 1 GW . Before the first megawatt reaches the grid, however, the project faces a local policy test: whether Deschutes County should grant a five-year property tax abatement under Oregon’s Rural Renewable Energy Development Zone Program. That decision is more than a routine incentive request. It is a referendum on how rural counties choose to support next-generation energy infrastructure and whether older incentive frameworks can accommodate a technolog...

BLM Utah 2026 Geothermal Lease Sale Opens New Energy Opportunities

BLM Utah 2026 Geothermal Lease Sale: What It Means for U.S. Geothermal Development The Bureau of Land Management’s Utah 2026 Geothermal Lease Sale is a significant signal for the next phase of U.S. geothermal development. As federal agencies continue to prioritize renewable energy on public lands, this project highlights both the practical mechanics of geothermal leasing and the broader policy direction supporting domestic clean energy expansion. For developers, investors, land managers, and energy analysts, the sale offers an important case study in how geothermal projects move from planning into commercial opportunity. Geothermal energy has long been one of the most promising yet underutilized renewable resources in the United States. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal can provide steady baseload power regardless of weather or time of day. That makes it especially valuable in power systems that need reliability, grid stability, and long-duration decarbonization. A lease sale like the ...

Geothermal Energy Costs: Why Drilling Discipline Decides Bankable Megawatts

Geothermal Isn't Expensive: The Reservoir Always Has the Final Say Somewhere beneath a volcanic ridge, a drill bit is turning through rock that has not moved in two million years. It costs money every second it turns. And nobody on the surface — not the engineer, not the financier, not the minister who announced the megawatts — knows yet whether that well will produce steam or silence. That single moment explains almost everything people get wrong about geothermal energy. Geothermal is routinely described as expensive, slow, capital-hungry and haunted by drilling risk. Investors are reminded that tens of millions can disappear underground before a single megawatt reaches a grid. All of that is true. But it is not the whole truth. The uncomfortable question the industry keeps avoiding is this: is geothermal expensive, or is the way we develop geothermal making it expensive? Those are two completely different problems. One is geology. The other is us. Why Geothermal Refuses to Be...

Ireland’s Deep Heat: Surveying Geothermal Potential Beneath Dublin

Dublin’s seismic survey will map deep underground geology to assess geothermal potential, reduce uncertainty, and support future clean, local energy development Dublin is about to become a live laboratory for one of the clean energy questions of the decade: can the heat stored deep beneath the city help warm homes, offices, schools, and hospitals? The answer is not known yet, but the Dublin Seismic Survey is designed to find out by mapping the geology 2 to 3 kilometres underground with a safe, non-invasive method that has already been used successfully in other European cities . A city listening underground At street level, the survey may look deceptively simple: a specialist truck pauses at intervals, presses a vibration plate to the road, and sends controlled energy into the ground. That energy bounces off different rock layers and structures, then returns to sensors along the route, where it is recorded and processed into images of the subsurface . The process is built around precis...

Germany Invests €18.8 Million in Geothermal Energy at FH Münster

Germany Invests €18.8 Million in Geothermal Energy at FH Münster North Rhine-Westphalia is putting geothermal energy at the center of its strategy to build more sustainable, energy-efficient and research-driven infrastructure. The state government has committed €18.8 million to expand geothermal heating and cooling at FH Münster’s Technology Campus Steinfurt, creating a major real-world laboratory for geothermal heat pumps, energy efficiency and climate-neutral campus development. The funding is part of the €60 billion Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan für gute Infrastruktur , a 12-year infrastructure investment program described by the state as the largest investment program in North Rhine-Westphalia’s history. Of the total program, €2.3 billion is allocated to universities, research, higher education and knowledge transfer. For geothermal energy, the Steinfurt project is particularly significant because it goes beyond simply installing a heating system. The campus is being transformed into a...