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Showing posts from February 9, 2025

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Újbuda Geothermal Energy Exploration Approval Boosts Sustainable Heating Potential

Újbuda Gets Approval to Explore Its Geothermal Energy Potential Budapest’s Újbuda district has received approval to examine whether geothermal energy can contribute to its future heating and energy needs. The decision places one of the capital’s most densely populated districts at the centre of Hungary’s broader effort to make better use of its underground thermal resources. The approval does not mean that a geothermal power plant or district-heating system will be built immediately. Instead, it allows the district and its partners to investigate the geological conditions, technical feasibility, environmental implications and financial requirements of using heat stored beneath the city. The project could eventually support cleaner heating, reduce dependence on imported natural gas and strengthen Budapest’s energy resilience. Its success, however, will depend on careful geological research, responsible water management, transparent public consultation and a realistic financing model. Wh...

GA Drilling and NREL Forge a New Path for Ultra-Deep Geothermal Energy

Breaking New Ground: GA Drilling and NREL Join Forces to Revolutionize Geothermal Energy By: Robert Buluma Geothermal energy has long been the unsung hero of the renewable energy sector. With the potential to provide consistent, baseload power, it remains an underutilized resource due to the challenges of deep drilling. Now, GA Drilling, a pioneering geothermal technology company, has partnered with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to take a massive leap forward in unlocking geothermal’s full potential. We did an indepth article earlier on Status of Geothermal in USA for our readers to get first hand information on how the geothermal sector looks like A Partnership for the Future GA Drilling and NREL are collaborating to bring a game-changing innovation to the field—an advanced high-temperature downhole generator designed to enhance geothermal drilling applications. This cutting-edge technology will be integrated into GA Drilling’s PLASMABIT® Hybrid drilling solutio...

Revolutionizing Renewable Energy: Texas Paves the Way for Closed-Loop Geothermal Innovation

Pioneering the Future of Geothermal Energy: Texas Leads the Way with Closed-Loop Systems By: Robert Buluma Vallourec's closed loop concept North of Houston, a transformative geothermal initiative is reshaping the energy sector. NOV, a key player in drilling and completions technology, has successfully completed an 11,500-foot closed-loop geothermal test well, marking a significant step forward in renewable energy development. This project highlights the growing potential of closed-loop geothermal (CLG) systems to redefine energy production. Ejen it comes to Geothermal,Innovation and Technology is key and we have seen alot of new findings lately. Unlocking New Possibilities in Geothermal Energy Unlike conventional geothermal systems that rely on naturally occurring underground water sources, CLG technology operates using a sealed system. A specialized heat transfer fluid circulates through a continuous loop, absorbing heat from deep underground rock formations and transporting it to...

Norway’s Deep Geothermal Breakthrough: Qheat and Dhans Drilling to Develop 4KM Well

Norway Takes a Giant Leap in Geothermal Energy: Qheat and Dhans Drilling Join Forces By: Robert Buluma Norway is making bold strides in the geothermal energy sector, with a groundbreaking collaboration between Qheat and Dhans Drilling. The two companies have signed a Letter of Intent to develop the country’s deepest geothermal well, aiming to reach an unprecedented depth of 4 kilometers. This landmark project is set to revolutionize Norway’s energy landscape, paving the way for deep geothermal solutions that can provide sustainable heating solutions for generations to come. A Partnership to Unlock Geothermal Potential Qheat, a leader in geothermal simulations and coaxial well design, brings its cutting-edge technology and expertise to the project. Their proficiency in designing and stimulating geothermal wells ensures the optimization of underground heat extraction, maximizing the potential of this renewable energy source. Hans Rinde, CEO of Dhans Drilling, emphasized the critical role...

EDF and TAQA Geothermal Unite to Revolutionize Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Future

EDF and TAQA Geothermal Forge a Landmark Partnership to Advance Geothermal Energy in Saudi Arabia By: Robert Buluma In a move set to redefine Saudi Arabia’s energy landscape, EDF Saudi Arabia and TAQA Geothermal Energy Company have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the deployment of geothermal energy technologies in the Kingdom. This strategic agreement was formalized on FebKoruary 12, 2025, during the third edition of the PIF Private Sector Forum at the prestigious King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. Geothermal Energy is well poised to keep on powering new frontiers and this is Great to find new fields ramping up for the heat beneath our feet A Bold Vision for Sustainable Energy The partnership between EDF and TAQA Geothermal marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of clean, renewable energy solutions. The MoU aims to explore and develop geothermal power generation, HVAC applications, and Compressed Air Energ...

Ormat’s 35MW Ijen Geothermal Plant Goes Live: A Game-Changer for Indonesia’s Renewable Energy Future

Ormat’s Ijen Geothermal Power Plant: A Bold Step Toward Indonesia’s Renewable Energy Goals   By: Robert Buluma In a significant move toward expanding Indonesia’s geothermal capacity, Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ORA) has commenced commercial operations for the 35MW Ijen Geothermal Power Plant in East Java. This milestone not only strengthens Ormat’s global footprint but also aligns with Indonesia’s ambitious target of adding 7.2GW of geothermal capacity by 2035.   We had done a research article earlier on how Ormat had drilled exploratory wells in the region and this is good progres Powering Indonesia’s Future with Geothermal Energy   The Ijen Geothermal Facility, jointly developed with PT Medco Power Indonesia, will ultimately reach a total capacity of 110MW under a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Currently, the plant is supplying 35MW of clean, baseload electricity to the Java grid, a crucial step in diversifying Indonesia’s energy mix. ...

Exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Geothermal Future: UNDP Calls for Experts to Lead Groundbreaking Study

Unlocking Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Geothermal Potential: A Golden Opportunity for Experts   By: Robert Buluma The global push for sustainable energy has ignited interest in geothermal resources, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is the latest country stepping up to explore its underground energy reserves. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Development of a Study on the Geothermal Potential of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). This presents a lucrative opportunity for geothermal experts, energy consultants, and research institutions to shape the future of renewable energy in the region.   This is not the 80's when Geothermal Energy was being taxed as if it did not mean something, things have changed and it is getting similar incentives as other Renewables. What’s the Deal?   Published on January 29, 2025, this tender (Reference Number: UNDP-BIH-01166) seeks to assess, analyze, and ...

Green Tech International Powers Up Geothermal Innovation with Successful IPO on Bucharest Stock Exchange

Green Tech International: Powering the Future of Geothermal Energy with a Successful IPO  By: Robert Buluma Bucharest, February 10, 2025 – Green Tech International S.A. (BVB ticker: GREEN), a trailblazer in geothermal energy solutions and the owner of one of Europe’s largest portfolios of deep geothermal wells, has announced the triumphant completion of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. With shares priced at RON 15.00 (approximately EUR 3 per share), the company now boasts a market valuation of RON 1199 million (EUR 241 million). Trading officially kicked off on February 7, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the renewable energy sector.   Geothermal has been mincing companies long money and just recently we showcased how KenGen had surpassed its previous financial rakings with Geothermal being a key factor. This IPO unlocks access to an impressive EUR 135 million Subscription Facility from GEM Global Yield LLC SCS, a leading investm...

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Eavor Demobilizes Rigs in Geretsried: What It Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal Investors, Heat Markets, and Project Risk

Eavor Demobilizes Rigs from Geretsried: What It Really Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal For three years, two drilling rigs on a farm estate near Geretsried, a Bavarian town about 40 km south of Munich, stood as the symbol of the world's most ambitious closed-loop geothermal experiment. Now in October 2026,  Eavor Technologies, the Calgary-based developer of the Eavor-Loop, has told the town and its heating utility that both rigs would leave the site . The company said keeping idle rigs and specialist services on site was costly, and that releasing them would help put the project in the strongest position to continue with Loop 2 once its commercial structure is reworked . On the surface, this is a logistics decision. Underneath, it is one of the clearest signals yet about where first-of-a-kind geothermal technology stands, and how hard it is to turn a technical proof into a bankable business. This article explains exactly what happened, what the move means and what it does not mean...

Endurance Energy Tests World's First Subsea Geothermal Well at Axial Seamount

Endurance Energy Tests the World's First Subsea Geothermal Well: What the Axial Seamount Demonstration Really Proved What if geothermal energy did not need a power plant on land? What if electricity could be produced directly from the Earth's heat beneath the ocean, with generators sitting on the seafloor and sending power to coastal grids? On October 19, 2026, Seattle-based startup Endurance Energy announced a major step toward that idea. The company said it had drilled and completed the world's first subsea geothermal well and placed a 3-ton test power plant nearly a mile beneath the Pacific. It also reported net-positive electricity from heat at an active underwater volcano, according to its announcement on PR Newswire. The headline numbers are modest. The Adélie prototype produced more electricity than it used for about 8.7 seconds. During that time it delivered a median net output of about 2 kilowatts and a peak of 16.5 kilowatts. One detail matters more than any other...

Geiselbullach Geothermal Project Confirms 10 MW District Heating Capacity

Geothermal milestone at Geiselbullach: 10 MW of heat confirmed after successful second deep well test On 15 August 2026 the Geiselbullach geothermal project reached a pivotal technical milestone: performance testing of the second deep production well completed successfully, delivering a sustained flow of 90 liters per second of thermal water at 79–80 °C. These measured parameters translate into roughly 10 MW of usable thermal power for district heating, enough to replace a portion of heat currently supplied by the municipal waste-to-energy plant (AHKW) and to create headroom for expanding the regional district heating network. The result confirms the project’s technical assumptions and moves the scheme into system-integration and commissioning activities ahead of planned commercial deliveries for the 2027 heating season. This article explains the test results and their significance, outlines the technical and operational consequences, and places the Geiselbullach development in the bro...

Menengai Geothermal Project Delays Expose Kenya’s Broken Steam Supply Model

Menengai’s Broken Promise: How Kenya’s Geothermal Model Lost the Steam Thematic image of the Olkaria Geothermal Field  Kenya’s Menengai geothermal project was sold as a model of modern public-private partnership. The state would carry the difficult and expensive burden of geothermal exploration and drilling. Private power producers would then build, own and operate power plants. Geothermal Development Company would supply the steam; the independent power producers would convert it into electricity; Kenya Power would buy the output. On paper, the arrangement was elegant. In practice, Menengai has exposed a far more uncomfortable reality: Kenya’s public steam-supply model is not delivering the certainty it promised. Menengai Phase I was designed to produce 105 megawatts from three 35 MW plants. GDC’s own project page says the three plants were awarded to Globeleq Menengai Geothermal, Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power and OrPower Twenty Two under a build-own-operate structure. Yet the ...

Djibouti Pays KenGen: $1M Offer on a Five-Year Geothermal Drilling Debt

Djibouti Pays KenGen: A $1 Million Offer on a Five-Year-Old Geothermal Drilling Debt Djibouti has finally moved to pay part of what it owes Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) for drilling work done near Lake Assal. The amount is small next to KenGen's balance sheet. What it says about selling geothermal drilling services across Africa matters a lot more. KenGen's latest annual report says Djibouti's state geothermal agency, the Office Djiboutien de Développement de l'Énergie Géothermique (ODDEG), has offered a first instalment of about $1 million (Sh129 million) against outstanding invoices of $2.13 million (Sh276.03 million), according to Business Daily. "ODDEG has acknowledged the debt and has proposed an initial payment of $1 million as the first instalment towards settlement," KenGen said in the report. KenGen is Kenya's largest power producer, with about 54% of the market. The Kenyan government owns 70% of the company and the public holds t...

BLM Nevada Geothermal Lease Auction Boosts Renewable Energy Investment amid Solar Land Conflict

BLM’s Nevada Geothermal Lease Auction Signals Rising Competition for Federal Energy Land The Bureau of Land Management’s latest geothermal lease sale in Nevada attracted nearly $4.83 million in total receipts, highlighting growing investor interest in geothermal resources as electricity demand rises . The auction also exposed an increasingly important land-use conflict: several geothermal parcels overlap with proposed utility-scale solar projects, including NextEra Energy’s 1,000-megawatt Sawtooth Energy Center. The October 20, 2026, sale offered 83 parcels covering approximately 265,155 acres across 10 Nevada counties. Bidders placed offers on 60 parcels covering 186,641 acres, while 23 parcels received no bids. The results provide a new measure of competition for federal geothermal acreage in one of the United States’ most important geothermal states. Auction Results The Nevada auction attracted 32 registered bidders, of which 18 submitted at least one bid. Across the sale, bidders s...

KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Geothermal Wells Over Licence Error

KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Wells Over 18-Year Licence Blunder Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) faces a serious legal and operational risk at Olkaria after an error in the coordinates of its geothermal licence left part of the company’s wells, steam infrastructure and other assets outside its legally recognised area. The licensing mistake, made nearly two decades ago, remains unresolved despite the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acknowledging the problem in 2017.  The dispute has raised questions about the security of KenGen’s investments, the government’s management of geothermal resources and the potential consequences for Kenya’s electricity supply. Olkaria is the country’s most important geothermal centre and accounts for the overwhelming majority of Kenya’s installed geothermal generation capacity.  Licence Error Exposes Strategic Assets The problem dates back to September 19, 2008, when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum issued KenGen a licence covering ...

Lithium Harvest Plans Alberta Geothermal Power and Lithium Project

Lithium Harvest’s Alberta Geothermal Project Could Combine Renewable Power and Domestic Lithium Production Lithium Harvest Holding A/S has signed a letter of intent with an unnamed geothermal development partner to establish a joint venture for an integrated geothermal power and lithium production facility in Alberta, Canada. At full nameplate capacity, the proposed project is expected to produce approximately 28,500 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually while generating 0.67 TWh of renewable electricity each year. The development would use a single geothermal resource to supply both baseload power and lithium-bearing brine for direct lithium extraction and refining.  A Dual-Output Geothermal Development The proposed Alberta facility reflects a growing effort to extract more value from geothermal resources than electricity generation alone. Traditional geothermal power projects produce electricity by bringing hot underground fluids to the surface. Depending on resource temperature a...

Corva and Oliasoft Connect Well Design With Real-Time Drilling

Corva and Oliasoft Build a Continuous Learning Loop for Smarter Well Construction Introduction Corva AI and Oliasoft have announced a strategic collaboration designed to connect well engineering, real-time drilling operations and post-well analysis through a bidirectional digital workflow. The integration links Oliasoft WellDesign with Corva’s Real-Time AI platform, creating a continuous information loop in which engineering plans guide field execution and drilling results improve future well designs.  The partnership addresses one of the persistent weaknesses in modern well construction: the separation between planning software and operational systems. Although operators generate large volumes of engineering and drilling data, those datasets often remain fragmented across departments, applications and reporting processes. The result is slower decision-making, repeated manual work and limited transfer of lessons from one well to the next. By connecting design assumptions with liv...

California Court Orders New Environmental Review for Imperial County Geothermal Lithium Project

California Appeals Court Orders New Environmental Review for Imperial County Geothermal–Lithium Project Image: California Salton Lake Sea Hell’s Kitchen geothermal and lithium extraction plan sent back for deeper water, air-quality and mitigation analysis under CEQA A California appeals court has ordered Imperial County to conduct a more rigorous environmental review of the proposed Hell’s Kitchen geothermal power plant and lithium extraction project near the Salton Sea. The Fourth District Court of Appeal found that the county’s original environmental impact report (EIR) did not adequately address long-term water availability, enforceable mitigation measures for water shortages, or potential air-quality impacts tied to the receding Salton Sea. The ruling partially reverses a lower court decision and remands the case to Imperial County Superior Court, requiring the county and project developer Controlled Thermal Resources to address the identified deficiencies before the project can m...