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Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems: Companies, Technology, Investment, Power

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems: The Companies Building the Next Generation of Underground Energy Image : The Eavor Technologies Geothermal Project  Closed-loop geothermal systems represent one of the most promising frontiers in renewable energy, offering continuous, baseload power without the environmental concerns associated with conventional geothermal development. Unlike traditional open-loop systems that require hydraulic fracturing and consume large volumes of water, closed-loop geothermal circulates a working fluid through sealed underground pipes, extracting heat from hot rock formations while maintaining a self-contained system that eliminates fluid loss, induced seismicity, and reservoir depletion risks.This technology has attracted significant investment and technical innovation from a diverse array of companies spanning startups, established energy firms, and drilling specialists, each pursuing distinct approaches to unlock the vast thermal energy stored beneath the Eart...
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Vulcan Completes 2D Seismic Survey in the Vorderpfalz Region: A Step Towards CO₂-Free Energy and Sustainable Lithium Extraction

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Pioneering the Future of Clean Energy In a significant step towards a sustainable energy transition, Vulcan Energy Resources has successfully completed a 2D seismic survey in the Vorderpfalz region . By: Robert Buluma This marks a crucial milestone in its ambitious project with BASF , aimed at harnessing deep geothermal energy from the Upper Rhine Graben to supply CO₂-free steam for industrial use and district heating. With the growing global emphasis on renewable energy solutions , Vulcan’s initiative aligns perfectly with the broader goals of carbon neutrality , decarbonization of industries , and the sustainable extraction of lithium —a key component in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) . The 2D Seismic Survey: Unlocking Geothermal Potential Since February 24, 2025 , Vulcan deployed up to three vibrotrucks to conduct the seismic survey over a 70 km stretch in the Vorderpfalz region. These specialized vehicles used sound waves to analyze the geological cond...
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The Future of Geothermal Energy: How Google Cloud, SLB, and Project Innerspace are Redefining the Game

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
  The geothermal revolution just got a powerful boost. By: Robert Buluma In a groundbreaking collaboration, Google Cloud, SLB, and Project Innerspace have joined forces to fast-track the global adoption of geothermal energy, leveraging cutting-edge data analytics, AI, and deep industry expertise. This partnership is not just a technological breakthrough it’s a bold move toward making geothermal energy a dominant force in the clean energy landscape. A Tectonic Shift in Geothermal Development Geothermal energy has long been hailed as the holy grail of clean, baseload power . Unlike solar and wind, it provides constant and reliable electricity, yet its global potential remains largely untapped due to exploration and development challenges . That’s where this alliance steps in. At the core of this partnership is GeoMap , an advanced mapping tool developed by Project Innerspace with contributions from over 100 researchers and scientists. Hosted on Google Earth Engine , GeoMap inte...
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Reaching New Depths: QHeat’s First International Licensing Project in Estonia

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Pioneering Deep Geothermal Energy in Estonia By: Robert Buluma QHeat, a leading innovator in geothermal well technology, has taken a significant step in its international expansion by licensing its patented coaxial heat well technology for a pilot project in Estonia. Partnering with Engineering Bureau Steiger and the Geological Survey of Estonia, QHeat aims to explore the potential of deep geothermal energy in a region with limited prior research on its crystalline basement.   This milestone project involved drilling a 712-meter deep geothermal well at the Arbavere research center testing the feasibility of low-temperature district heating and cooling. Additionally, QHeat provided consultation for two more pilot projects one in Tallinn (500 meters) and another near Roosna-Alliku (five wells at 500 meters each). The projects, initiated in late 2023, successfully concluded in early 2025, setting the stage for further geothermal advancements in Estonia.   QHeat’s Advanc...
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Vulcan's Electric Rig Set To Extract Upper Rhine Grabens Lithium From Geothermal Brine

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Unlocking the Power of Geothermal Brine: Vulcan’s Lithium Revolution By: Robert Buluma Image Credit: Worksite on Unsplash Harnessing Geothermal Brine for a Sustainable Future The demand for lithium is skyrocketing as the world shifts toward electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. Vulcan Energy is at the forefront of this revolution with its ambitious Phase One project, "Lionheart,"which aims to extract lithium hydroxide monohydrate from deep within the Earth's crust. But what makes Vulcan’s approach groundbreaking?   By utilizing hot, lithium-rich geothermal brine from the Upper Rhine Graben, Vulcan is not just producing lithium but also generating clean energybsetting a new benchmark for sustainable lithium extraction.   Vulcan’s “Lionheart” Project: A Game-Changer for Lithium Production Vulcan Energy’s "Lionheart" project is a pioneering initiative that will produce 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate annually, a critical component for EV batter...
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Eavor Technologies: Revolutionizing the Energy Landscape with Groundbreaking Geothermal Innovation

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
In a world increasingly focused on sustainable energy solutions,  Eavor Technologies has emerged as a trailblazer, redefining the geothermal energy sector with its revolutionary technology.  By:  Robert Buluma The Calgary-based company has developed a unique closed-loop geothermal system, aptly named the Eavor-Loop™, which promises to deliver clean, reliable, and scalable energy without the limitations of traditional geothermal methods. This innovation is not just a scientific breakthrough; it’s a financial and environmental game-changer that has captured the attention of investors, governments, and energy experts worldwide.   The Eavor-Loop™: A Geothermal Marvel   Traditional geothermal energy relies on finding naturally occurring reservoirs of hot water or steam underground, which limits its applicability to specific geographic regions. Eavor’s technology, however, eliminates this constraint by creating an artificial geothermal reservoir. The Eavor-...
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GDC Opens Restricted Tender for Menengai Wellbore Scale Services

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
GDC Opens Restricted Tender for Menengai Wellbore Scale Services Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company Limited (GDC) has announced a new restricted tender targeting one of the most technically important challenges in geothermal field operations: scale formation and its removal from geothermal wells and formations . The procurement notice, posted by GDC on 29 September 2026 , seeks qualified firms to provide specialized downhole wellbore and formation-scale removal and scaling mitigation services for geothermal wells and reservoirs at the Menengai Geothermal Field . The planned service period is three years , creating an opportunity for specialized geothermal service companies with experience in downhole intervention, scale management, wellbore remediation and formation-scale mitigation. According to the notice, interested and qualified firms must submit their full company details and contacts together with their Electronic Government Procurement System (eGP) registration number t...
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Maren Maras plans 99-MW geothermal power development in Aydin, Türkiye

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Maren Maras plans 99-MW geothermal power development in Aydin, Türkiye Maren Maras is planning a 99-MW geothermal development in Aydın’s Germencik district, consisting of three 33-MW plants with binary-cycle technology, based on regulatory filings and the Final EIA report. The project is expected to generate about 730 GWh annually and requires an estimated TRY 1.82 billion investment. Maren Maras Plans 99-MW Geothermal Power Development in Aydın, Türkiye Maren Maras Elektrik Ãœretim Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Åž., part of KipaÅŸ Holding, has advanced plans for a major geothermal expansion in Türkiye’s Aydın province. According to regulatory documents and reporting on the company’s environmental filings, the project will add 99 MW of installed geothermal capacity in the Germencik district through three separate 33-MW power plants.  The project adds another large-scale development to one of Türkiye’s most active geothermal regions. Aydın has long been a core province for geothermal power in th...
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Global Geothermal Policy Outlook for 2027 Across Key Markets

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Global Geothermal and Energy Policies for 2027: A Future Outlook Introduction The next phase of global geothermal development will be shaped not only by geology and technology, but increasingly by national energy policy . Governments are now treating geothermal as more than a niche source of heat or power . They are beginning to see it as a practical option for firm low-carbon electricity, district heating, industrial heat, and energy security. That shift matters because geothermal projects are unusually sensitive to policy design. Exploration is capital intensive, drilling is expensive, subsurface risk is real, and project timelines can stretch over years before revenue begins. In other words, geothermal is not just an engineering challenge. It is also a finance, regulation, and infrastructure challenge. Looking toward 2027, five countries offer a useful benchmark for where geothermal policy may be heading: the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, and France. Each countr...
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Sonoma Clean Power secures $20M in state funding to advance California geothermal initiative

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Sonoma Clean Power Secures $20 Million in State Funding to Advance California Geothermal Initiative Sonoma Clean Power has secured $20 million in state support for its California geothermal initiative, a milestone that strengthens the case for next-generation geothermal development in the state. The funding is aimed at reducing early-stage exploration risk, with private-sector partners expected to match the public investment, bringing the total pool to $40 million.   A major step for GeoZone The announcement builds on Sonoma Clean Power’s GeoZone strategy, which targets 600 megawatts of next-generation geothermal energy across Sonoma and Mendocino counties over the next decade. The initiative is designed to secure affordable, reliable clean power for local customers while advancing California’s broader clean-energy goals.  The latest funding breakthrough gives the project more momentum at a critical stage. In geothermal development, exploratory drilling is often one of th...
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North Rhine-Westphalia Deep Geothermal Energy District Heating Expansion

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
North Rhine-Westphalia Pushes Geothermal Into Mainstream Heat Supply With New Deep Drilling Projects North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is accelerating its push to make geothermal energy a major component of the region’s future heat supply, with the state backing exploration, drilling, feasibility studies and financial mechanisms designed to reduce the risks associated with developing underground heat resources. The latest developments were presented at the 21st Geothermal Conference in Bochum, hosted by NRW.Energy4Climate and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG (Fraunhofer IEG). The conference highlighted a growing transition in NRW geothermal development: geothermal energy is moving beyond research and individual demonstration projects toward practical deployment in municipal heating, district heating networks, residential developments and industrial applications. The state has already financed measurements and drilling activities across s...
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Geothermal Funding, August ,September 2027 With Intelligence into 2028

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Geothermal Funding in August and September 2027: Investment Outlook and Intelligence Into 2028 Geothermal funding in August and September 2027 is likely to focus on projects that can demonstrate commercial resource potential, credible drilling plans, secure offtake, and a clear path to construction. The market will increasingly move beyond broad technology experimentation toward financeable geothermal assets supported by government grants, development-finance institutions, strategic investors, utilities, and corporate power buyers. The most significant investment themes will likely include enhanced geothermal systems , exploration drilling, closed-loop geothermal , data-center power supply, conventional geothermal expansion in East Africa, and blended finance for emerging markets. By 2028, investors are expected to distinguish more sharply between companies with proven technical performance and those still dependent on laboratory results or unconfirmed resource estimates. The 2027 Fun...
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Green Therma deploys closed-loop geothermal demonstration in Groß Schönebeck, Germany

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Green Therma deploys demonstration of closed-loop geothermal in Groß Schönebeck, Germany Green Therma has deployed its closed-loop geothermal demonstration at the Groß Schönebeck research site in Germany, and the project is now moving from installation into operation. The system is intended to test the company’s Heat4Ever/DualVac concept under real geothermal conditions at depths of more than 3 kilometers.  Green Therma deploys closed-loop geothermal demonstration in Groß Schönebeck, Germany Green Therma has reached an important milestone in the development of closed-loop geothermal technology with the deployment of its demonstration project at the Groß Schönebeck research site in Germany. The company says the system is now circulating water through a single-well closed-loop configuration, bringing geothermal heat to the surface from more than 3 kilometers underground.  The project is being carried out at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences’ geothermal research facility,...
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Quaise Energy Secures DOE Funding for Superhot Geothermal Plant

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Quaise Energy Wins DOE Support for Project Obsidian as Superhot Geothermal Moves Toward Commercial Scale Quaise Energy’s selection for up to $25 million in U.S. Department of Energy support is a meaningful milestone for superhot geothermal power, especially because it is tied to Project Obsidian, the company’s flagship commercial-scale Enhanced Geothermal System in Central Oregon. The award strengthens the case that superhot geothermal is shifting from laboratory promise toward field-tested infrastructure, with the first well triplet designed to validate a path to more than 25 megawatts of gross electric power and future expansion potential much larger than that.  DOE backs superhot geothermal The U.S. Department of Energy selected Quaise under its Next-Generation Geothermal Field Tests and Geothermal Resource Characterization and Confirmation funding opportunity, part of a broader $99 million geothermal push announced this week .According to DOE, the selected projects are mean...
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Fervo Energy’s Cape Station Reaches Commercial Operation: A Milestone for Enhanced Geothermal

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Fervo Energy’s Cape Station Reaches Commercial Operation: What the Milestone Means for Next‑Generation Geothermal On October 1, 2026, Fervo Energy announced that its first GeoBlock at Cape Station in Beaver County, Utah, reached contractual commercial operation , achieving 33 MW net and beginning revenue under a power purchase agreement (PPA). The declaration , reached one day ahead of the contractual commercial operation date after grid synchronization on September 24 , marks an important moment for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) : a greenfield, first‑of‑a‑kind development moving from construction into contracted revenue. This article explains the technical approach Fervo used, evaluates performance and schedule claims, examines cost and scalability implications, places the project in the competitive market context, and summarizes key risks investors and industry watchers should track. What Fervo built: GeoBlocks and the Cape Station design Fervo’s project architecture centers on ...
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France Geothermal Energy 2026: Heating, Power, Policy, Investment Growth

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
France's geothermal sector is at a crossroads. The country is Europe's undisputed leader in deep geothermal district heating, with the Paris Basin hosting the world's largest concentration of deep geothermal systems.  Yet geothermal still supplies only 1% of France's final heat consumption, and the Court of Auditors has warned that current ambitions are "unrealistic" without structural reform. ⚡ Deep Geothermal (Power Generation): Marginal Output, Major Potential Untapped France's geothermal power generation remains almost negligible. As of 2026, only two plants produce electricity: the Bouillante plant in Guadeloupe (15.5 MW) and the Soultz-sous-Forêt EGS pilot in Alsace (1.7 MW).  Total geothermal electricity production capacity was approximately 17.17 MW in 2023, forecast to reach just 19.47 MW by 2028. The Bouillante plant is set to double its production with a third unit scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2026, making it an exemplary model for ...
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