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Showing posts from September 28, 2025

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Grenada Geothermal Project Advances With Slimhole Wells Procurement.

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Grenada’s Geothermal Slimhole Procurement Signals Project Momentum Grenada has moved another step forward in its geothermal drilling program with a new invitation to bid for civil infrastructure and water supply equipment for two geothermal slimhole wells, a procurement package that points to concrete field preparation rather than just planning on paper . The notice breaks the work into three lots and covers access roads, drill pad civil works, water supply infrastructure, and power equipment needed to support drilling operations . Project Context The procurement is being issued by Grenada’s Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy through its Project Management Unit, while the Ministry of Infrastructure serves as the executing agency . The works are tied to the Government of Grenada’s geothermal drilling project and are being financed in part by the Caribbean Development Bank, according to the notice [1]. That funding link matters because it shows the proje...
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Turboden to Deliver 180 MW of Gen-2 ORC Plants for Fervo’s Cape Station Geothermal Project in Utah

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Turboden ,  Fervo and the Future of Geothermal: 180 MW of Gen-2 ORC Plants for Cape Station, Utah By:  Robert Buluma October 2, 2025    In a landmark move for clean energy and geothermal power, Turboden America LLC   the U.S. arm of Turboden S.p.A. (a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group company)  has been selected to supply 180 MW of Gen-2 Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plants for Fervo Energy’s Cape Station geothermal project in Utah. A New Milestone in Geothermal Deployment This award relates to Phase II of the Cape Station development, following  Turboden’s earlier participation in Phase I. Under Phase II, Turboden will provide three ORC units , each with a gross output of 60 MWe, summing to 180 MWe. Once installed and operational (targeted by 2028), these Gen-2 units will bring the total ORC capacity on site to 300 MWe , making Cape Station one of the largest geothermal installations globally. The earlier Phase I installation, invol...
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Vulcan Energy Strikes $196M Deal to Power Germany’s Clean Energy Future with Geothermal and Lithium

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Vulcan Energy  Secures $196 Million Deal for Geothermal Power and Lithium Production in Germany By:  Robert Buluma In a major leap for Europe’s clean energy transition, Vulcan Energy  Resources has signed a landmark $196 million (€110 million) supply contract with European firms Turboden and ROM Technik . The deal will see the development, procurement, and construction of a commercial geothermal power plant near Landau, Germany , forming a cornerstone of Vulcan’s phase one Lionheart Project . A Game-Changer for Renewable Energy and EV Supply Chains The contract covers the full scope of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) on a fixed lump-sum turnkey basis , ensuring certainty in both cost and delivery. When completed, the Lionheart geothermal facility will: Generate 275 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable power annually. Produce 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide per year. Supply enough lithium for around 500,000 electric vehicles (EVs) annually. ...
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Pertamina Geothermal & Toyota: A New Chapter for Green Hydrogen in Indonesia

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Jakarta, September 2025   In a move that could change how Indonesia leverages its enormous geothermal endowment, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk  (PGE) and PT  Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) signed a joint declaration to develop a green hydrogen ecosystem in Indonesia.  By:  Robert Buluma The announcement  made at the 11th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition (IIGCE) in Jakarta  signals an ambition to turn geothermal heat into a strategic feedstock for low-carbon fuels and industrial feedstocks, not just electricity. Why this matters Indonesia sits on some of the world’s richest geothermal resources. Traditionally those resources have been used to generate baseload electricity; PGE’s partnership with Toyota broadens the conversation: use geothermal power and heat to produce green hydrogen, then convert that hydrogen into transport fuels, ammonia, methanol, or industrial hydrogen for heavy industry. That pivot...
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Mastering the Subsurface: A Geothermal Reservoir Engineer's Insights on EGS, Stimulation, Digital Twins, and the Future of Clean Baseload Power

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Geothermal energy is often called the “quiet backbone” of the clean energy transition. To understand the science, challenges, and innovations driving this sector, we spoke with a seasoned geothermal reservoir engineer with experience spanning the Andes, Nevada, Utah, and volcanic fields worldwide. Here’s what they shared. By:  Robert Buluma This interview was conducted by Robert Buluma, Founder of Alphaxioms. The responses were provided by Jerjes Porlles, Ph.D., Regional Technical & Business Development Manager – Latin America at Avasthi & Associates, Worldwide Energy Consulting. 1. What sparked your passion for geothermal reservoir engineering, and did you ever imagine yourself working in some of the world’s most challenging geothermal fields ? My passion was sparked during my early career in the petroleum industry, specifically in reservoirs. I was fascinated by the subsurface—how fluids move, how heat and pressure interact but it wasn’t until I worked on projects in Peru...
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XGS Energy Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone in Geothermal Innovation

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
XGS Energy  Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone for Water-Independent Geothermal System By : Robert Buluma HOUSTON, Sept 30, 2025 – In a groundbreaking achievement for the geothermal sector, XGS Energy has announced the successful 3,000-hour operation of its water-independent geothermal system at commercial scale. This milestone not only validates the system’s commercial economics but also positions XGS as the first company to demonstrate such technology under real-world, commercial conditions. A New Era in Geothermal Innovation The operations took place at the Coso Geothermal Field in California’s Western Mojave Desert, a site owned by Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure and operated by Coso Operating Company. XGS Energy  revitalized a well that had been idle for over two decades, installing its proprietary closed-loop geothermal system enhanced by Thermal Reach Enhancement (TRE) technology. Flow testing delivered a record performance, maintaining a sustained temperature differenc...
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CKW and Localnet AG Examine Geothermal Energy Potential in the Burgdorf Area

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
CKW and Localnet AG are investigating geothermal energy potential in the Burgdorf region to provide continuous, climate-friendly heat and power. Discover how the project is progressing, what steps are planned, and what it could mean for sustainable energy in Switzerland. Why Geothermal Energy Matters CKW  and  Local Net AG have launched preliminary studies for a possible geothermal project in the Burgdorf region. The goal is to assess whether geothermal energy can be used to produce heat and electricity in a way that is climate-friendly and independent of weather conditions. Unlike solar, wind, and hydropower that depend on daily or seasonal patterns, geothermal can provide continuous, reliable energy an important factor in Switzerland’s push toward climate neutrality. Scope of the Initial Studies In the coming months,  CKW (a subsidiary of the Axpo Group) and  Local Net Ag will: Analyze publicly available underground and geological data. Evaluate the poten...
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Cornish Lithium Secures £35M to Advance Geothermal Lithium and Critical Mineral Projects in the UK

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Cornish Lithium  Secures £35M in Equity Funding  A Milestone for UK Critical Minerals By:  Robert Buluma In a major boost for the UK’s domestic battery supply ambitions,  Cornish Lithium has announced that it has secured £35 million in new equity funding. This capital raise is intended to propel its key projects closer to construction and commercial stages, marking a pivotal moment in the firm’s trajectory. Backing & Investors The funding round is led by existing institutional backers, with up to £31 million coming from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) , and approximately £4 million from TechMet , a long-standing investor in the company. Cornish Lithium’s legal counsel for the deal was Mayer Brown. What the Funds Will Be Used For Cornish Lithium will allocate the capital toward advancing two flagship projects: Trelavour Lithium Project : The funds will support further engineering work, feasibility studies, and help lead the project toward a construction...
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Unlocking Geothermal Power: Subsurface Secrets of Mount Erciyes Revealed”

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Mount Erciyes: A Hidden Geothermal Treasure Beneath Cappadocia By: Robert Buluma Beneath the snow-capped slopes of Mount Erciyes , central Turkey’s highest peak, lies more than just volcanic history  it harbors the promise of geothermal energy . A new study published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research has mapped the subsurface of Erciyes using three-dimensional magnetotelluric (MT) imaging , revealing zones of high electrical conductivity that point to heat, fluids, and possible magma bodies deep underground. Cracking the Code Beneath the Mountain Researchers led by S.B. Tank used advanced MT techniques to peer beneath Erciyes and its surroundings. Their results uncovered conductivity anomalies   regions where electricity flows more easily due to the presence of saline fluids, hot water, or partially molten rock . For geothermal experts, these anomalies are gold. They act as subsurface fingerprints of geothermal reservoirs , highlighting where heat ...
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Kenya’s Energy Crossroads: Gulf Energy Takes Over Tullow Oil in Turkana’s Geothermal-Rich Fields

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Gulf Energy  Takes Over Tullow Oil’s Turkana Fields – Oil Drilling to Overlap a Geothermal Hotspot By:  Robert Buluma In a landmark energy shift for Kenya, British explorer Tullow Oil  has officially exited the country after 14 years , selling its Turkana operations to Gulf Energy  in a deal worth Ksh.16 billion (USD 120 million). The transition marks the end of  Tullow's chapter in Kenya and the beginning of a new phase that could reshape not only oil production but geothermal exploration as well. The takeover grants  Gulf Energy full control of the Turkana oil project , situated in a geologically active zone that also happens to host significant geothermal potential. Beneath Turkana’s arid landscapes, volcanic systems create natural heat reservoirs turning the region into a rare frontier where oil and geothermal energy converge. Tullow Oil  first entered Kenya in 2010, striking the Ngamia-1 discovery well in 2012, which ignited hopes of the countr...
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DOE awards $99M to 21 projects to accelerate U.S. geothermal development

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
By Alphaxioms WASHINGTON , On September 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a targeted investment of more than $99 million to accelerate geothermal deployment across the United States. The funding , awarded to 21 projects , aims to bridge the gap between laboratory promise and field-proven performance by supporting two critical tracks: field-scale enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) tests and exploration drilling for next-generation geothermal resources. At a moment when policymakers and markets seek reliable, on‑demand clean power, the DOE’s package represents both a significant bet on American geothermal innovation and a practical push to lower technical and development risk for future commercial projects. Why this matters now Geothermal energy sits at a strategic intersection of reliability, decarbonization, and grid resilience. Unlike wind and solar, geothermal provides baseload, around-the-clock power , a quality increasingly prized as variable renewables expand. Yet...
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Fervo Cape Station First Power: EGS Geothermal 24/7 Carbon-Free Baseload

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Fervo Energy Achieves First Power at Cape Station: A Bullish Inflection Point for Enhanced Geothermal Systems Fervo Cape Station First Power Validates EGS as Scalable 24/7 Carbon-Free Baseload Fervo Energy’s September 24, 2026 announcement that its Cape Station project in Beaver County, Utah has achieved First Power marks a watershed moment for the geothermal industry and the broader clean-energy investment landscape.  This is not just another project milestone,it is the first time anywhere in the world that a greenfield, utility-scale enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) development has synchronized to the grid and begun exporting electricity.  The implications are profound: EGS has crossed from promising pilot to commercially proven, repeatable technology capable of delivering firm, 24/7 carbon-free power at gigawatt scale.  For investors, developers, utilities, and hyperscale data-center buyers, Cape Station’s First Power is a de-risking event. It signals that Fervo’s oil...
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"US Geothermal Tax Credits 2026: What the IRA/45Q Changes Mean for Developers"

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
US Geothermal Tax Credits in 2026: What Is Actually Still Alive After OBBBA For an industry that spent more than a decade building financial models around a stable federal incentive structure, 2026 has been a year of whiplash. The 30% federal geothermal tax credit that developers and homeowners built forecasts around is gone in one form and still alive in another, and even the IRS’s own public guidance has been confusing enough to trigger uncertainty across the market. That confusion is not a minor clerical issue. It is shaping investment decisions, contractor sales pitches, homeowner timelines, and project finance assumptions right now. If you work in geothermal, the key question is no longer whether federal incentives exist, but which incentive applies, to which project type, and under what ownership structure. The law that changed the timeline To understand where things stand in 2026, you have to start with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which created a long runway for clean e...
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DOE Allocates $10.75 Million for University Geothermal Research and Workforce Training

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
DOE’s $10.75 Million University Push Could Reshape the Geothermal Talent Pipeline Image: Thematic image of a geothermal power plant   The U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office has announced up to $10.75 million for U.S. colleges and universities to support early-stage research and training in subsurface energy development. The program sits inside the University Training and Research framework, and it is designed to strengthen the next generation of energy professionals while advancing research relevant to geothermal, oil and gas, and coal-related subsurface challenges . This announcement matters because it goes beyond a simple grant call. It connects university research, student training, and industry relevance in one funding structure, which is exactly the kind of model geothermal advocates have long argued is needed to accelerate deployment. For the U.S. geothermal sector, the message is clear: talent development is now part of energy infrastruct...
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Sage Geosystems’ Project Vector: EGS at Ormat Blue Mountain Plant

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Sage Geosystems Selects Ormat’s Blue Mountain Plant for Project Vector: a Major Step Toward Commercial EGS Sage Geosystems will deploy its proprietary EGS technology at Ormat’s Blue Mountain power plant in Nevada for Project Vector, targeting first electricity in 2027 and full-scale production in 2028. The two-well project aims to deliver firm, 24/7 geothermal power with lower water losses and higher net output,advancing commercial EGS, validating GeoTwin predictive modeling, and strengthening strategic ties with Ormat amid growing corporate demand for reliable baseload clean energy. Why this matters Sage Geosystems ’ selection of Ormat Technologies’ Blue Mountain geothermal plant for Project Vector represents a pivotal demonstration of commercial-scale  enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) integrated into existing power infrastructure. The decision leverages an established plant to reduce non-core capital, accelerate timeline risk reduction, and prioritize validation of subsurf...
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MB Centuary sells a drilling rig

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
MB Century sells Rig 32 to Webster Energy Services: what the move means for New Zealand geothermal drilling MB Century and Webster Energy Services have agreed the sale of MB Century’s Drillmec HH350 drilling rig, Rig 32, with completion slated for December 2026 after the rig finishes its current campaign for Tūaropaki Power Company. The transaction signals a strategic shift for MB Century,moving away from direct drilling ownership toward concentrating on engineering, reservoir and technical services,while Webster Energy uses the acquisition to deepen its footprint in the New Zealand geothermal market. This article summarises the deal, then drills into the operational, market and workforce implications for New Zealand’s geothermal sector, the strategic logic for both companies, and what the transaction suggests about capacity, competition and future drilling trends. Deal overview and timeline Parties: MB Century (seller) and Webster Energy Services (buyer). - Asset: Drillmec HH350 rig k...
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Superior Energy’s Welltec Deal Boosts Global Geothermal Reach

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Superior Energy’s Welltec Deal Signals a Bigger Push Into Intervention, Completions, and Energy Transition Markets Superior Energy Services ’ planned acquisition of Welltec is a strategically important move that expands its robotic well intervention and completions capabilities while widening its international reach. The deal also gives Superior a stronger foothold in geothermal and carbon capture applications, where Welltec already markets its technology.  A broader technology platform Superior said Welltec brings proprietary robotic, wireline-conveyed well intervention solutions and metal expandable packer technologies, backed by more than 800 active patents and roughly 1,000 employees. The company’s Well Tractor system and related downhole tools are central to its intervention offering, while its MEP products support zonal isolation and well integrity.  That matters because these are not commodity services. They are specialized, high-value technologies that can deepen cus...
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OrPower 22 and Globeleq Add 70 MW to Kenya Grid

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
OrPower 22 and Globeleq Add 70 MW to Kenya’s Grid Kenya’s geothermal sector has reached another major milestone with the completion of two new power plants at the Menengai geothermal field. Developed by OrPower 22 and Globeleq, the plants add a combined 70 MW to the national grid, reinforcing Kenya’s position as one of the world’s leading geothermal markets.   A long-awaited addition The Menengai project has been under development for nearly a decade, making its completion significant not only for the developers but also for Kenya’s wider power system. The two plants now delivering electricity each contribute 35 MW, bringing the total new capacity from the site to 70 MW.  This is more than a routine capacity expansion. For Kenya, every major geothermal addition helps reduce reliance on weather-sensitive generation and strengthens the country’s ability to provide stable baseload electricity. Menengai’s arrival also shows that large geothermal developments, while slow to ma...
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Sage Geosystems SMECI Facility Validates Scalable EGS Power Model

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Sage Geosystems Places SMECI Facility in Service, Validating a Scalable EGS Model Sage Geosystems has moved a step closer to proving that enhanced geothermal systems can be engineered for repeatable, commercial performance. The company announced that its SMECI facility in South Texas has been placed in service, and the results from more than 120 days of operating data are being presented as a validation point for its proprietary EGS approach. For a sector that has long struggled with subsurface unpredictability, water losses, and limited scalability, that is a meaningful milestone. What makes this announcement stand out is not simply that the facility is operating, but what Sage says the operating campaign demonstrated. The company says the project produced consistent reservoir behavior, low water losses, and performance that matched its predictive modeling. In geothermal development, those are the kinds of results that can move a project from promising to financeable. If the claim...
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Chiyoda and Sage Geosystems Advance Next-Generation Geothermal Power

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Chiyoda and Sage Geosystems Advance Next-Generation Geothermal Chiyoda Corporation and Sage Geosystems have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a technical and commercial feasibility study for high-pressure surface facilities tied to Sage’s proprietary enhanced geothermal systems approach. The announcement is an important step for next-generation geothermal because it focuses on the infrastructure needed to turn deep subsurface energy into reliable commercial power. The study is not a full build decision, but it is the kind of engineering work that usually comes before one. It will help determine whether Sage’s pressure-based geothermal concept can be translated into a scalable, bankable power-generation system. What the partnership covers The collaboration centers on the surface equipment required to handle high-temperature, high-pressure fluid produced from wells. Sage will provide key operating inputs, including wellhead pressure, temperature conditions, fluid proper...
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