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Turboden to Deliver 180 MW of Gen-2 ORC Plants for Fervo’s Cape Station Geothermal Project in Utah

Turboden , Fervo and the Future of Geothermal: 180 MW of Gen-2 ORC Plants for Cape Station, Utah

By: Robert Buluma



October 2, 2025   In a landmark move for clean energy and geothermal power, Turboden America LLC   the U.S. arm of Turboden S.p.A. (a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group company)  has been selected to supply 180 MW of Gen-2 Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plants for Fervo Energy’s Cape Station geothermal project in Utah.

A New Milestone in Geothermal Deployment

This award relates to Phase II of the Cape Station development, following Turboden’s earlier participation in Phase I. Under Phase II, Turboden will provide three ORC units, each with a gross output of 60 MWe, summing to 180 MWe.

Once installed and operational (targeted by 2028), these Gen-2 units will bring the total ORC capacity on site to 300 MWe, making Cape Station one of the largest geothermal installations globally.

The earlier Phase I installation, involving Turboden’s Gen-1 ORC units, is slated for commissioning in 2026.

Why This Is Significant

  • Scalability & Validation
    The scaling from Gen-1 to Gen-2 underscores confidence in the modular ORC concept. Turboden’s repeated selection signals trust in their technology and ability to deliver at utility scale.

  • 24/7 Clean Power
    Geothermal, particularly with enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), offers a reliable renewable energy source unaffected by diurnal cycles or weather. Projects like Cape Station push geothermal further into the “firm renewables” category.

  • Deepening U.S. Presence
    Turboden  America LLC became fully functional in October 2024, establishing a stronger local footprint to support U.S. projects.

  • Strong Partnerships & Long-Term Vision
    The award reflects the deepening collaboration between Turboden and Fervo. Fervo’s leadership has emphasized that modular ORC systems like these are central to unlocking geothermal’s full potential.

Technical and Strategic Themes

What Is a Gen-2 ORC?

ORC, or Organic Rankine Cycle, is a method of converting thermal energy (from geothermal, waste heat, etc.) into electricity using an organic working fluid with a lower boiling point than water. Gen-2 implies improvements higher efficiency, better integration, and modularity that supports scale and flexibility.

Modular Design & Dispatchability

A key aim is modularity: breaking a large plant into several ORC “units” that can be commissioned in phases, maintained independently, or scaled over time. That modularity also helps with grid compatibility and reliability.

Timeframe & Delivery

Engineering, procurement, and commissioning of the core ORC equipment are planned to conclude by 2028.

The Bigger Picture: Cape Station & EGS

 isn’t just another geothermal plant it’s built around enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), which expand geothermal potential beyond naturally high-permeability reservoirs. The full Cape Station project has ambitions well beyond this phase, positioning itself as a global showcase for large-scale, dispatchable geothermal.

Quotes & Perspective

Paolo Bertuzzi, CEO of Turboden, stated:

“We are honored to deepen our collaboration with Fervo Energy … This new order further validates the reliability and scalability of our ORC technology…”

Tim Latimer, CEO and co-founder of Fervo Energy, added:

“Phase II marks another leap forward in our mission to unlock geothermal’s full potential … Turboden’s proven expertise … are key to delivering on our promise of reliable and affordable power.”

Challenges & Considerations

  • Technical risk: Larger scale and new generation units must meet expected performance thresholds.
  • Cost & financing: The capital-intensive nature of geothermal and EGS demands robust funding and cost control.
  • Regulatory & permitting: Projects in the U.S. must navigate a complex regulatory landscape, especially for subsurface developments.
  • Grid integration: Ensuring geothermal output aligns with grid requirements, especially as more intermittent renewables come on line.

Why This Matters for the Clean Energy Transition

  • Geothermal is often overlooked relative to solar and wind, but it is uniquely positioned to provide constant (baseload) carbon-free power.
  • Success at Cape Station can catalyze further investment and confidence in geothermal, shifting the narrative toward “renewables that don’t rest.”
  • Partnerships like Turboden–Fervo combine deep domain expertise (engineering, subsurface science, plant design) — a model for future clean energy developments.
Source :Turboden

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