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Showing posts from September 14, 2025

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Ethiopia’s Corbetti Geothermal Project Advances Renewable Energy Development

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Corbetti Geothermal Project: Ethiopia’s Ambitious Plan to Harness Clean Energy for Growth Ethiopia’s Corbetti Geothermal project has taken a significant step forward after signing a contract with the United Kingdom’s Marriott Drilling Group to drill up to four exploration wells near Shashemene in Oromia. The agreement marks the beginning of a new phase for one of Africa’s most closely watched geothermal developments and could help Ethiopia diversify its electricity supply beyond hydropower. The project is being advanced by Taranis Operations Ltd, which recently acquired a majority interest, alongside the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), which retains an approximately 40% minority stake. PIDG has also committed an additional USD 7.2 million through its project-development arm, InfraCo Africa Business Development Limited. The drilling programme is expected to begin early next year after a rig arrives at the Corbetti site and final preparations are completed. The initial e...
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Kenya Boosts Clean Energy with 53 MW Geothermal Expansion at Olkaria I

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Kenya Powers Up with 53 MW of Clean Geothermal Energy from Olkaria I Date: September 20, 2025 By:  Robert Buluma Kenya is taking a bold step toward a greener and more sustainable future with the exciting expansion of the Olkaria I geothermal plant! 🌍⚡ Did you know that this powerhouse is set to inject an additional 53 MW  of clean, renewable energy into the national grid? This move strengthens Kenya’s position as a leader in geothermal energy in Africa and brings affordable electricity to homes and businesses across the country. A Boost for Kenya’s Energy Grid The Olkaria I geothermal plant, a key player in Kenya’s renewable energy landscape, is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion. Originally generating 45 MW, the plant is being upgraded to produce a whopping 63 MW of electricity. This additional capacity will significantly enhance the country’s energy supply, ensuring more reliable and eco-friendly power for all. Geothermal energy is a game-changer because it’s not o...
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Zanskar Strikes Geothermal Steam Again in Nevada

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Zanskar  Strikes Geothermal Steam Again: A New Era in Clean Energy By:  Robert  Zanskar's Geothermal and Minerals , a trailblazer in AI-native geothermal exploration, has achieved another significant milestone by uncovering a substantial geothermal reservoir in northern Nevada. This discovery marks a pivotal moment in the company's mission to revolutionize the geothermal energy sector. Innovative Approach to Geothermal Exploration Founded in 2019, Zanskar has been at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence with geothermal exploration. By leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and subsurface data, the company has been able to identify geothermal resources that were previously overlooked or deemed too risky. This approach has not only accelerated the discovery process but also significantly reduced the costs associated with geothermal development. The Northern Nevada Discovery The recent discovery in northern Nevada is particularly noteworthy. Utilizin...
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Exciting Graduate Research Opportunity at Los Alamos National Laboratory: Acoustics in Enhanced Geothermal Systems

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), one of the world’s most prestigious research institutions, is opening its doors to ambitious graduate students eager to make an impact in renewable energy innovation. By:  Robert Buluma The Laboratory’s Applied Acoustics Team (MPA-11) is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant to contribute to groundbreaking work in acoustics-based sensing for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) . Why This Matters Enhanced Geothermal Systems represent one of the most promising frontiers in renewable energy. By using advanced acoustics to better understand, monitor, and optimize subsurface activity, LANL’s team aims to unlock cleaner, more reliable geothermal energy solutions. This role places the successful candidate at the forefront of both renewable energy development and high-level national research. What You Will Do As part of the Applied Acoustics Team, the selected graduate researcher will: Design and conduct complex experiments in acoustics. Apply advance...
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From Brine to Batteries: Vulcan’s Landau Breakthrough in Geothermal Lithium

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Vulcan Energy  secures land in Landau for its geothermal + lithium plant   a major leap toward Europe’s carbon-neutral lithium for EVs ⚡ By: Robert Buluma Vulcan Energy  just cleared a big hurdle in its plan to create a homegrown, low-carbon battery supply chain for Europe. The company has secured approval to purchase the plot in Landau (Rhineland-Palatinate) for a combined Geothermal and Lithium Extraction Plant (G-LEP) — the physical site where geothermal heat and lithium will be produced side-by-side. What happened (short version) On 11 September 2025 Vulcan announced it has secured approval from the City of Landau council to purchase the D12 industrial plot where it will build its G-LEP. This follows an earlier option agreement between the company and the city that had already reserved the site for Vulcan. Why this matters — more than just land Vulcan's  model is unique: it uses geothermal brine (hot, lithium-bearing fluid underground) to produce both ren...
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INTERVIEW, Geretsried and Beyond: Eavor’s Blueprint for Reliable, Sustainable Energy

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Robert Buluma :  Alphaxioms Responses were provided by Jeanine Vany, Executive Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, Eavor . Can you explain the key technological advancements in the latest iteration of the Eavor-Loop™ system? We have made a number of technological advancements at our project in Geretsried Germany . This includes innovation and learning resulting in dramatic improvements in our drilling performance and we’re proud to talk about our technology. For example, Eavor recently announced successful implementation of our in-house AMR (active magnetic ranging) tool which makes drilling more accurate and efficient. Eavor-Link™ AMR uses magnetic ranging while drilling to maintain constant alignment as it drills two wells at approximately 100 metres apart before they are intersected to create a continuous geothermal loop, which is then sealed with Eavor’s proprietary Rock-Pipe™ formula. With real-time data transmission between downhole sensors, the technology ensures tighter bo...
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First Geothermal Potential Evaluation in Mexico’s Gas Fields: The Comitas Field Case

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
October 1, 2025 marks a turning point for Mexico’s clean energy journey. For the very first time, researchers have carried out a geothermal potential evaluation within a gas-producing field in the Burgos Basin  an area traditionally known for its prolific hydrocarbon output. By:  Robert Buluma The study, led by Irving Torres Mata and Dr. Rosa María Prol-Ledesma from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), takes a bold step toward reimagining how oil and gas fields can transition into renewable energy hubs. From Gas to Geothermal: The Burgos Basin Advantage The Burgos Basin, located in northeastern Mexico, has long been recognized as an important hydrocarbon province, boasting strong gas production with some wells also yielding condensates. But beneath its oil and gas story lies another: a geothermal gradient between 40°C/km and 70°C/km , which places it firmly on the radar as a geothermal prospect. Thanks to hundreds of deep wells already drilled in the basin ...
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Eavor Demobilizes Rigs in Geretsried: What It Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal Investors, Heat Markets, and Project Risk

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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...
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Endurance Energy Tests World's First Subsea Geothermal Well at Axial Seamount

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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...
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Djibouti Pays KenGen: $1M Offer on a Five-Year Geothermal Drilling Debt

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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...
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BLM Nevada Geothermal Lease Auction Boosts Renewable Energy Investment amid Solar Land Conflict

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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...
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Menengai Geothermal Project Delays Expose Kenya’s Broken Steam Supply Model

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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 ...
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Geiselbullach Geothermal Project Confirms 10 MW District Heating Capacity

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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...
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KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Geothermal Wells Over Licence Error

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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 ...
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Lithium Harvest Plans Alberta Geothermal Power and Lithium Project

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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...
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Corva and Oliasoft Connect Well Design With Real-Time Drilling

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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...
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California Court Orders New Environmental Review for Imperial County Geothermal Lithium Project

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
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...
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