Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from January 12, 2025

Just In

Geothermal Innovation, Superhot Systems, Social License, and the Future of Global Geothermal Energy

In this interview, Dr. Amel Barich, Founder & CEO of Geoscience Research and Communications (GRC) , shares insights into the future of geothermal energy, covering superhot geothermal systems, advanced drilling, international collaboration, social license to operate, developing-country opportunities, and the growing role of geothermal in integrated energy systems.  Image : Dr. Amel Barich Founder & CEO, Geoscience Research and Communications (GRC) Geoscientist | Geothermal R&D&I | Social License to Operate Q1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and describe your current role in advancing geothermal innovation? I am a geoscientist and geothermal professional with a background spanning geothermal research and innovation, international collaboration, policy and science diplomacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication. Over the past decade, I have worked from Iceland across major European and international geothermal initiatives, leading collaborative R...

Alaska Leases Geothermal Rich Augustine Volcano

Alaska’s Ambitious Step into Geothermal Energy: Augustine Volcano Lease Sale in Focus By: Robert Buluma Image credit: Bain Graham Nestled in the heart of southern Cook Inlet, the imposing Augustine Volcano stands as both a challenge and an opportunity. Rising 4,133 feet, this cone-shaped volcanic island has piqued the interest of geothermal enthusiasts, policymakers, and energy companies alike. In an exciting development, Alaska’s Division of Oil and Gas is preparing for a geothermal lease sale on Augustine’s north side—a bold move to harness the earth’s untapped power. This initiative, sparked by interest from three companies eager to explore geothermal resources, could mark a turning point in Alaska's energy landscape. With a best interest finding issued on January 10, 2025, state officials have paved the way for what could become a groundbreaking exploration effort. As spokesperson Sean Clifton hinted, a lease sale announcement may arrive as early as this spring, opening up 55,7...

US Geothermal Gets Similar Tax Incentives as Wind & Solar

Geothermal Energy in the US: A Clean Energy Powerhouse with Tax Incentive Parity By:  Robert Buluma Image credit; Terry Rodgers on LinkedIn The global shift toward renewable energy is rapidly evolving, with geothermal energy finally stepping into the spotlight as a clean, reliable, and sustainable power source. In the United States, a significant leap was taken to elevate geothermal's prominence alongside other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, through expanded tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA).   This tax incentives will help companies like Eavor to go beyond what they unleashed in the previous year. This move marks a pivotal moment for geothermal energy, aligning it with the same 30% tax credit offered to wind and solar projects. The newfound parity demonstrates the Biden administration's commitment to an inclusive approach to tackling climate change. Geothermal, with its ability to provide consistent, baseload energy, offers...

RFP: Surface Studies Meru Geothermal Field ~Northern Tanzania

Request for Proposal: Surface Geothermal Studies for Meru Geothermal Field in Northern Tanzania By: Robert Buluma Image: Tanzanian Elephants cruising through North Tanzania insearch of water and much greener savanna The renewable energy sector in East Africa is experiencing rapid growth, with geothermal energy emerging as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Among the region’s most promising geothermal sites is the Meru Geothermal Field in Northern Tanzania. To unlock this resource's potential, a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued for surface geothermal studies, inviting experienced firms and consultants to participate. Just a few hours we were hot with news for Songwe Geothermal call for investors  , getting into this current status at Meru its obvious Tanzania is not mincing when it comes to tapping the heat beneath our feet. Objectives of the RFP The key objective of the RFP is to conduct detailed surface geothermal studies to evaluate the resource potential of the ...

Unleashing Superhot Geothermal Energy: Revolutionizing Renewable Power Generation

Heating Things Up: Superhot Rock Research Unlocking Geothermal Potential By: Robert Buluma Image: This stones, the tranchyte family ...magical when underneath In the shadow of Oregon's Newberry Volcano, a groundbreaking venture is reshaping the future of renewable energy. With heat trapped deep within the Earth's crust, superhot rock geothermal resources offer an extraordinary opportunity to redefine how we produce electricity. The Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), with the support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), is at the forefront of this transformation, aiming to harness the immense potential of superhot geothermal systems.   Earlier on we had reported on how Mazama Energy had received funding from US Department of Energy  , This funding had streched into Fervo Energy and Chevron New Energies.  Why Superhot Rocks Matter Did you know that just 1% of the U.S.'s superhot rock geothermal potential could produce 4.3 terawatts of electricity—nearly four ...

Call For Investors, Songwe Geothermal Project Tanzania

Unlocking Tanzania's Hidden Energy Potential: Investment Opportunities in Songwe Geothermal Field By:  Robert Buluma Image: Simba Marara in Tanzania,just making sure the pride is well secured Nestled in the heart of Tanzania's Songwe region lies a geothermal treasure waiting to be tapped. With hot springs boasting temperatures between 75-85°C, the Songwe Geothermal Field presents a golden opportunity to revolutionize the region's energy landscape, spur economic growth, and position Tanzania as a key player in the renewable energy sector. Tanzania is on the verge of introducing 30 Mwe of energy into its grid  from Geothermal and this call from Ngozi is a testament of full steam ahead. The Promise of Geothermal Energy  Geothermal energy is one of the most reliable and sustainable energy sources, and Songwe’s hot springs hold immense untapped potential. Harnessing this resource can provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and pave the ...

Popular posts from this blog

Eavor Kleefeld II Permit Boosts Hannover Geothermal Expansion and Deep Heat Development

Eavor Secures Kleefeld II: A New Milestone for Hannover’s Deep Geothermal Ambitions Image: A Thematic image of The Eavor Project at Geretsried  Eavor’s new Kleefeld II permit marks an important step forward for deep geothermal development in Hannover, reinforcing the city’s position as one of Germany’s most closely watched urban heat-transition markets . The licence covers about 64.5 square kilometers, lasts for three years, and combines the former Buchholz and Kleefeld I exploration areas into a single, larger field that Eavor already controlled. The decision is more than an administrative update. It signals continued confidence in geothermal as a practical, scalable source of district heating in a dense metropolitan region. For Hannover, it also strengthens a project that has been building momentum for several years and could become a reference case for other European cities seeking cleaner, locally produced heat. A New Chapter For Hannover Kleefeld II sits in the northeast of...

TAQA Geothermal and Strataphy Collaborates To Advance Saudi Arabia Geothermal Cooling

PrimeLoop and the Geothermal Cooling Revolution in Saudi Arabia Image: Pictorial Views Saudi Arabia is entering a new phase in cooling technology, and geothermal cooling is becoming one of the most compelling solutions in that transition. At the center of this shift is PrimeLoop, Strataphy’s proprietary geothermal cooling system, which is being positioned as a commercial answer to one of the region’s most urgent infrastructure challenges: how to cool buildings efficiently in extreme heat while reducing electricity demand and water use. This matters because cooling is not a minor utility in the Gulf. It is a core operating cost, a grid stability issue, and an environmental pressure point all at once. In a country where ambient temperatures can push conventional air-conditioning systems to their limits, the search for smarter cooling is no longer theoretical. It is now a commercial necessity. PrimeLoop is interesting because it does not simply improve on conventional cooling. It rethinks...

University of Aberdeen and RGU partner to accelerate geothermal heating deployment

University of Aberdeen and RGU join forces to accelerate geothermal energy research and heat-network deployment Image: Lucy Leiper, Director of Research, Innovation & Enterprise at the University of Aberdeen and Christina Laing, Business Development Manager at Robert Gordon University The University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University (RGU) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to explore collaborative research, training and commercial activity in geothermal energy and low-carbon heating. This strategic partnership aims to combine subsurface expertise, drilling and modelling capabilities, supply-chain development, and skills training to accelerate geothermal deployment and support the just transition to net-zero heating across Scotland and beyond. Why this partnership matters for the geothermal sector Geothermal heat offers a predictable, baseload source of low-carbon thermal energy that can decarbonise district heating, industry process heat and building heating demand. Scotl...

XGS Energy IPO: Morgan Stanley, Geothermal Growth, and Fervo’s Market Momentum

XGS Energy Weighs IPO After Hiring Morgan Stanley, Chasing Fervo's Geothermal Momentum Geothermal developer XGS Energy has hired Morgan Stanley to evaluate an initial public offering, positioning itself as a potential second geothermal IPO of 2026 after Fervo Energy's blockbuster listing. The move underscores growing investor appetite for clean, firm power technologies as data-center demand and grid reliability concerns reshape the energy investment landscape. The Scoop: Morgan Stanley, IPO Timing, and Market Context In early July 2026, Axios Pro reported that XGS Energy engaged Morgan Stanley to assess a public listing, with company leadership potentially deciding within about a month whether to proceed. The timing is strategic: Fervo Energy's May 2026 IPO created a rare "open window" for geothermal equities, providing valuation benchmarks and investor education that earlier private rounds lacked. For investors, the narrative is straightforward. If Fervo proved t...

Kaishan and Halliburton Boost Geothermal EGS, Green Hydrogen, and Green Ammonia Projects

Kaishan , Halliburton Team Up on Advanced Geothermal, Green Fuel Projects Kaishan Group and Halliburton have deepened their cooperation with a strategic memorandum of understanding centered on advanced geothermal development, especially enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), along with green hydrogen and green ammonia opportunities. The deal builds on earlier Indonesia drilling work and signals a broader push to combine Halliburton’s high-end well-construction capabilities with Kaishan’s geothermal equipment and project-development platform. Partnership Background The relationship did not begin with the July 2026 memorandum. In February 2026, Halliburton said it had won a multiyear contract from KS Orka Renewables , part of Kaishan’s wider corporate group, to support geothermal well construction at the PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power and PT Sokoria Geothermal Indonesia projects in Indonesia. That work covered directional drilling, cementing, drilling fluids, and drill bits across several...

Geothermal Steam Output Gap, Decline, Integrity, and Life Extension

The Disparity Between Anticipated and Actual Geothermal Steam Output Image: thematic image of the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant in Iceland  Geothermal energy is one of the most dependable baseload renewables, but the gap between expected steam output and real production remains a central industry problem. Exploration models are always incomplete, and once wells are onstream, pressure decline, scaling, corrosion, and thermal breakthrough steadily erode performance. Why Forecasts Miss the Mark Exploration depends on sparse wells, surface manifestations, geophysical surveys, and geochemical indicators, so it only samples a small part of a complex reservoir. Reservoirs are rarely uniform, and permeability, porosity, mineralogy, and thermal conductivity can vary sharply over short distances, which means early temperature or chemistry readings can overstate how much of the reservoir will actually support long-term production. Phase behavior adds another layer of uncertainty. In two-...

Geothermal EPC Companies: How Developers Choose the Right Contractor for Projects

Geothermal EPC Companies: How Developers Choose a Contractor Image: A Thematic image of a geothermal power plant  Geothermal developers choose EPC contractors by combining technical geothermal experience, financial strength, execution credibility, and the ability to manage field-specific risk. In recent awards, the strongest bidders have been those with proven geothermal references, repeat-delivery history, and the ability to package engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning into one bankable offer . Why geothermal EPC is different Geothermal EPC is more complex than standard power plant construction because the contractor must build around a live underground resource. That means the project team has to deal with reservoir uncertainty, steam chemistry, scaling, corrosion, reinjection behavior, plant-field interfaces, and grid interconnection all at once . For developers, this turns EPC selection into a risk-management decision. The contractor is not just a builder; ...

Arverne’s 70 Million Euro ORANE Financing Boosts Geothermal Growth and Lithium Expansion

Arverne Finalizes 70 Million Euro ORANE Issue, a Milestone for France’s Geothermal Future Image: A thematic picture of Arvene welcoming a team at their Lithium De France Operations Arverne’s successful completion of its 70 million euro ORANE financing marks more than a capital raise, it signals momentum for one of France’s most ambitious geothermal platforms. Backed by GEOGREEN , Bpifrance ,  ADEME Investissement   Crédit Mutuel Equity , and Eiffel Investment Group , the transaction reinforces confidence in Arverne’s integrated geothermal and geothermal lithium strategy, while giving the company fresh resources to accelerate its Dual Flow plan . A financing round with strategic weight The announcement, made on 24 July 2026, confirms that the ORANE issue was fully subscribed for a total of 70 million euros . For Arverne, this is not just a funding event, it is a validation of a business model built around the full geothermal value chain, from subsurface expertise and drilling...

85 Degrees Renewable Secures €200M Project Finance Framework to Expand Dutch Geothermal Heat Infrastructure

85 Degrees Renewable Secures €200M Project Finance Framework to Accelerate Dutch Geothermal Heat Infrastructure 85 Degrees Renewable has taken a major step in the financing of geothermal energy with a new project finance framework of up to €200 million backed by ING and Rabobank. The facility is designed to support the company’s next phase of development in the Netherlands, including the expansion of its Central Oostland geothermal heat network and the broader growth of its renewable heat infrastructure platform. The announcement is especially significant because it shows that geothermal heat is increasingly being treated as a mature infrastructure asset rather than an early-stage experimental technology. The deal also highlights how geothermal energy is becoming more central to the Dutch energy transition. In a country where greenhouse horticulture is a major economic sector and heat demand remains heavily dependent on natural gas, renewable heat solutions are gaining strategic import...

Who Finances Next-Generation Geothermal Projects? Key Investors and Funding Trends

Who Is Financing the Next Generation of Geothermal Projects? Image : A thematic image of a geothermal power plant  The next generation of geothermal projects is being financed by a wide mix of venture capital firms, strategic corporate investors, commercial banks, institutional funds, and project finance lenders. The financing landscape is changing quickly because geothermal is moving from a niche clean-energy option into a serious infrastructure asset class with the potential to deliver reliable, 24/7 power at scale. Why geothermal finance is changing For years, geothermal struggled to attract large pools of capital because many projects were seen as technically risky, geographically limited, and difficult to scale. That perception is shifting as advanced geothermal technologies, especially enhanced geothermal systems, expand the number of places where geothermal can work. Investors now see a larger addressable market, stronger power demand, and better alignment with the needs of...