Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2026: Nominations Now Open

Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2026 Is Now Open , Submit Your Nomination Today!

The geothermal sector has never been more vibrant, more competitive, or more innovative and at the center of this momentum stands one of the most respected honours in the industry: The Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award.

The 2026 edition is officially open, inviting innovators, companies, research teams, and technology developers to showcase groundbreaking contributions that are shaping the next frontier of geothermal energy. If you or your organisation have been pushing boundaries, developing solutions that boost performance, reduce emissions, or introduce new possibilities in the geothermal value chain this is your moment.
🌋 Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Innovation
Named after Ruggero Bertani, a globally respected geothermal visionary, the award recognises:

Originality & innovation

Reliability & technological robustness
Reduction of emission
Improvements in geothermal energy output
Scientific advancement & high-impact projects
Each nomination undergoes a rigorous evaluation, and winning the award is more than recognition , it is a signal to the entire geothermal world that your innovation is moving the industry forward.
Endorsed nominees and the final winner receive international visibility and acknowledgement across Europe’s rapidly growing geothermal landscape.
Submit Your Nomination Today
If you believe your project or technology deserves the spotlight, now is the perfect time to apply.
Application links:
📄 Application Form – Word File
📥 Application Form – Interactive PDF
📘 Terms & Conditions
For questions or further clarifications, reach out to the EGEC Secretariat:
📧 egia@egec.org](mailto:egia@egec.org
The 2026 Award Winner will be announced at the GeoTHERM Expo & Congress in Offenburg, Germany, on 26–27 February 2026.
A Look Back: Previous Winners and Their Innovations
From cutting-edge lithium extraction technologies to advanced drilling solutions and next-generation geothermal systems, past winners reveal the remarkable diversity and strength of geothermal innovation in Europe.
2025 – EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg

🏅 CASCADE Project

A pioneering approach to lithium extraction from geothermal brines, setting new standards for sustainable mineral production.
2024 – Vulcan Energie Ressourcen GmbH
🏆 LEOP – Lithium Extraction Optimization Plant
A transformative solution accelerating Europe’s push for sustainable, geothermal-sourced lithium.

2023 – Huisman Geo

🔧 Composite Downhole Tubulars (HCT)
The first ever full composite downhole tubular system , corrosion-resistant, strong, light, and designed for demanding geothermal and CO₂ storage environments.

2022 – Baker Hughes

⚙️ Corrosion-Resistant Podded ESP & Completion System
A breakthrough completion design allowing geothermal production to continue without risking casing corrosion.

2021 – ENGIE Solutions

🔥 Multidrains Borehole Architecture
A system capable of almost doubling geothermal reservoir productivity**, now supporting district heating for thousands of homes.

2020 – Carbfix (Iceland) & Eavor (Germany)

🌍 Joint Winners
Carbfix for pioneering carbon mineralisation, and Eavor for its closed-loop Eavor-Loop geothermal system.

2019 – Jansen HIPRESS Borehole Heat Exchanger

Revolutionising geothermal heat pump efficiency at depths beyond 300 metres.

2018 – GDF Latin America

A risk mitigation initiative supporting surface studies and appraisal drilling in Latin America.

2017 – enOware
Miniaturised geothermal sensors enabling precise planning and monitoring of shallow geothermal probes.

2016 – Exergy

The world’s first two-pressure-level cycle on a single-disk turbine, demonstrated in Turkey.

2015 – MijnWater
An innovative mine-water distribution infrastructure for sustainable heating in the Netherlands.

2014 – BESTEC

Awarded for advancing commercial Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) projects.

Stay updated on geothermal news, policy developments, and innovation opportunities.

Source: EGEC

Connect with us:LinkedIn, X

Comments

Hot Topics 🔥

Inside the Geothermal Startup Mind: The Strategy, Funding & Sacrifices Behind Teverra’s Growth

Inside a Geothermal Startup’s Mind: Strategy, Funding, Ethics, and the Brutal Race to Commercialize This interview was done by Robert Buluma on behalf of Alphaxioms Image: The Interviewee, Dr. Hamed Soroush is the Founder and President at Teverra There’s a certain kind of silence that exists inside fast-growing startups. Not the quiet of peace, but the quiet of pressure . It’s the silence of teams racing to commercialize before competitors arrive. The silence of founders balancing mission and survival. The silence of a clean energy industry that desperately needs success stories… but is still learning how to measure them. In this one-on-one interview, we explore what it really takes to build a geothermal-driven clean energy company in today’s market, from strategic decisions and funding discipline to leadership, ethics, and the painful sacrifices behind growth. 1) Vision & Strategy: “Speed Is Everything” Q: Teverra has grown rapidly, but co...

Geothermal Power Play: Well Engineering Partners Takes Over Operations as Sproule ERCE Sharpens Advisory Focus

The geothermal energy sector is heating up literally and figuratively and a recent strategic move is set to accelerate progress in sustainable energy production. By: Robert Buluma Effective January 1, 2026, Well Engineering Partners (WEP) acquired the operational and production-focused geothermal activities from Sproule ERC (formerly associated with Veegeo). This acquisition marks a smart realignment of strengths in the booming geothermal market, where clean, reliable baseload energy is increasingly vital for the global energy transition. Imagine harnessing the Earth's natural heat to power homes, industries, and cities without the intermittency of solar or wind. Geothermal energy does exactly that, providing constant output from deep underground reservoirs. But turning that potential into reality requires specialized expertise from initial resource assessment to long-term well maintenance. That's where this deal shines: it allows each company to double down on what they do b...

KenGen Launches International Tender for Essential Geothermal Wellhead

KenGen Launches International Tender for Essential Geothermal Wellhead Equipment Amid Kenya's Green Energy Push In a significant move to bolster its geothermal energy infrastructure, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has issued an open international tender for the supply of specialized geothermal wellhead equipment. The tender, referenced as KGN-GDD-025-2026, focuses on expanding gate valves and adaptor flanges—critical components used in geothermal wellheads to manage high-pressure steam and ensure safe, efficient energy extraction. Released in January 2026, this procurement opportunity underscores KenGen's ongoing commitment to expanding Kenya's renewable energy capacity, particularly in the geothermal sector, which already accounts for a substantial portion of the country's power generation. Tender Details and Requirements The tender invites sealed bids from eligible candidates worldwide, emphasizing an open competitive process to attract qualified ...

Europe's Geothermal Transition: Why Repurposing Oil Wells Isn't as Simple as It Sounds

Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Applications Insights from Our Interview with Christi on EGS, Storage, and Europe’s Energy Transition Christi is a Geothermal Resource Engineer and PhD Researcher, specializing in deep geothermal systems, closed-loop systems, well repurposing (especially converting old oil/gas wells for geothermal use), Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), and Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers (DBHE). What if the thousands of oil and gas wells scattered across Europe could become the backbone of the geothermal transition? In our recent interview with Christi, a leading researcher involved in the TRANSGEO project, we explored the technical, economic, and regulatory realities of repurposing hydrocarbon wells for geothermal applications , particularly for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), thermal storage, and district heating integration. From case studies like Groß Schönebeck to regional analysis in Lausitz, Christi offered a grounded and technical perspective o...

CTR Launches American Data Power: 600 MW Geothermal Complex to Fuel America’s AI & Hyperscale Data Boom at Salton Sea

The recent announcement from Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc. (CTR) marks a significant step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the U.S. energy landscape: providing reliable, clean, baseload power for the explosive growth of hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure. On January 29, 2026, CTR launched American Data Power, a new subsidiary dedicated to delivering a utility-scale 600 MW energy complex in California's Salton Sea Geothermal Field. This initiative advances the next phase of CTR's flagship Hell’s Kitchen development, positioning it as one of the largest baseload renewable energy projects in the country. Geothermal energy stands out in the renewable mix because it delivers continuous, 24/7 power unlike solar or wind, which depend on weather conditions. The proposed complex targets a capacity factor exceeding 95%, ensuring high operational reliability. This makes it ideal for the constant, high-load demands of hyperscale data centers...

Vallourec-XGS Alliance Unlocks 3-GW Geothermal Buildout in Western US

Vallourec + XGS Energy : The Tubular Alliance That Could Turn Next-Gen Geothermal Into a 3-GW Reality Across the Western U.S. By: Robert Buluma Image:Vallourec-XGS Alliance Unlocks 3-GW Geothermal Buildout in Western US There are moments in the energy transition when a “press release” quietly reveals something far bigger than a partnership. It reveals a supply chain war being won before the market even realizes the battle has begun. On January 28, 2026, Vallourec one of the world’s most dominant names in premium tubular solutions—announced a strategic supply chain partnership with XGS Energy, the next-generation geothermal developer building what may become one of the most aggressive geothermal project pipelines in North America: a 3-gigawatt commercial pipeline across the western United States. And this isn’t a distant dream. This is happening now—because XGS is preparing to begin construction this year on its headline project: a 150 MW geothermal facility in New Mexico backed ...

The Billion-Dollar Gamble Beneath Our Feet: Why Geothermal Exploration Is the Industry’s Greatest Risk

Exploration Risk: The Billion-Dollar Gamble Beneath Our Feet By: Robert Buluma Image credit: Kane Watikson on LinkedIn Geothermal energy is often described as the sleeping giant of the clean energy transition constant, weather-independent, capable of delivering 24/7 baseload power without the intermittency that defines solar and wind. Yet despite this extraordinary promise, geothermal remains underdeveloped in most parts of the world. The reason is not lack of heat. It is not lack of demand. It is not even lack of technology and not even FINANCE , Whilst many will throw that policy card, but Alphaxioms is already future proofing that . The real barrier lies several kilometers beneath our feet in uncertainty. Exploration risk is the defining challenge of geothermal energy. Unlike wind turbines that can measure wind speeds before construction, or solar farms that can predict output from sunlight data, geothermal developers must make multimillion-d...

How to Start a Geothermal Energy Company: Entrepreneur’s Guide

How to Start a Geothermal Energy Company: Entrepreneur’s Guide By: Robert Buluma Geothermal energy is emerging as one of the most reliable and sustainable renewable energy sources in the world. Unlike solar or wind, geothermal provides a stable, 24/7 energy supply, making it a highly attractive sector for entrepreneurs looking to enter the renewable energy market. If you’ve ever wondered how to start a geothermal energy company, this comprehensive guide walks you through everything—from understanding the technology to securing permits, funding, and scaling operations. Why Start a Geothermal Energy Company? The demand for renewable energy is skyrocketing, driven by climate change concerns, government incentives, and rising electricity costs. Geothermal energy is uniquely positioned because it is: Reliable and Consistent: Provides baseload power 24/7. Environmentally Friendly: Minimal greenhouse gas emissions and a small land footprint. Profitable: With proper plan...

ORC and Next-Gen: Advantages and Opportunities in Design and Execution

ORC and Next-Gen: Advantages and Opportunities in Design and Execution By: Robert Buluma In the rapidly evolving landscape of renewable energy, the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) stands out as a versatile and efficient technology for harnessing low-grade heat sources, particularly in geothermal applications. Unlike traditional steam-based Rankine cycles, ORC uses organic fluids with lower boiling points, enabling power generation from temperatures as low as 80-150°C. This makes it ideal for geothermal energy, waste heat recovery, and even solar thermal systems. As we push toward a net-zero future in late 2025, next-generation enhancements to ORC systems are unlocking new advantages in design and execution. These innovations address key challenges like fluctuating energy demands, resource variability, and scalability, paving the way for more reliable and cost-effective clean energy solutions. This article explores the advantages and opportunities in ORC and next-gen technologies. We'l...

7,000 Feet Deep, 338°F: The Game-Changing Sensor Revolutionizing Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Breakthrough in Geothermal Monitoring: Berkeley Lab's High-Temperature Seismometer Powers the Future of Enhanced Geothermal Systems By: Robert Buluma Image: Cape Station, Fervo Owned Geothermal Station Geothermal energy has long been valued as a reliable, clean, and renewable source of power. It draws heat from deep within the Earth to generate electricity with virtually no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Traditional geothermal plants rely on naturally occurring hot water or steam reservoirs, which restricts development to specific volcanic or tectonically active regions. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), however, represent a game-changing evolution. EGS engineers artificial reservoirs in hot, otherwise impermeable rock formations found almost anywhere with sufficient subsurface heat. By injecting fluid under pressure to create and propagate fractures, EGS dramatically expands the geographic reach and scalability of geothermal power, offering the potential for 24/7, c...

ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Search This Blog