Vulcan Energy Advances Lionheart Project with Drilling of Second Production Well at Schleidberg Site

Posted by Alphaxioms Geothermal News | February 19, 2026

In the rapidly evolving world of renewable energy and sustainable resource extraction, few projects capture the imagination quite like Vulcan Energy Resources' Phase One Lionheart Project in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley. This innovative endeavor combines geothermal energy production with the extraction of battery-grade lithium from deep geothermal brines, offering a low-carbon, domestic solution to Europe's growing demand for critical minerals in the electric vehicle (EV) revolution.

The latest milestone comes from Vercana GmbH, Vulcan's in-house drilling subsidiary. In a recent update shared on social media, Vercana announced the commencement of drilling for the second production well, designated LSC-2, at the Schleidberg site. This follows the successful completion of testing at the first new well, LSC-1 (including its sidetrack LSC-1b), and a smooth transition of the V20 drilling rig to the next phase.

The post highlighted the teamwork involved: "Thank you to the Vercana and Vulcan teams, for delivering a safe and efficient start to LSC-2." Accompanied by an impressive photo of the drilling crew gathered around the massive drill bit, the image underscores the human element behind this high-tech operation—workers in high-visibility gear proudly posing with the equipment that is literally tapping into the Earth's heat and resources.

The Lionheart Project: A Dual-Purpose PowerhouseResearched and Written by Alphaxioms.blogspot.com

The Lionheart Project represents a groundbreaking approach to resource development. Located in the Upper Rhine Graben—a geologically active rift zone rich in hot geothermal brines—Phase One aims to produce 24,000 tonnes per annum of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM), sufficient to supply batteries for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles each year. As a co-product, the project will generate significant renewable energy: around 275 GWh of electricity and 560 GWh of heat annually over a projected 30-year lifespan.

What sets this apart from traditional lithium mining is its sustainability profile. Instead of open-pit mining or evaporation ponds that consume vast amounts of water and energy, Vulcan uses a closed-loop system. Hot brine is pumped from deep reservoirs (typically several kilometers underground), where it naturally contains dissolved lithium. The heat drives geothermal power generation via Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology—supplied by partners like Turboden for a 32 MWe plant—before the lithium is extracted using proven direct lithium extraction (DLE) methods. The cooled, depleted brine is then reinjected, minimizing environmental impact and maintaining reservoir pressure.

This integrated model not only produces zero-direct-emission lithium but also delivers baseload renewable power and heat to local communities. Vulcan already operates the NatürLich Insheim geothermal plant in the area, which has been supplying carbon-neutral electricity to about 6,500 households since before the company's major expansion.

Drilling Progress: From LSC-1 to LSC-2

The Schleidberg site near Landau has become a focal point for Vulcan's field development plan (FDP). The first new well, LSC-1, was completed with sidetracks (LSC-1a and LSC-1b) to optimize reservoir access. Production testing on LSC-1b showed excellent results: flow rates of 105–125 liters per second under operational drawdown, with a productivity index of 2.1–2.5 liters per second per bar. These figures align with or exceed the expectations in Vulcan's FDP, confirming strong reservoir quality, lithium grades (around 181 mg/L on average in the area), permeability, and heat content.

The smooth skidding of the V20 rig—moving it efficiently from one well pad position to the next—allowed operations to transition directly into drilling LSC-2 without delays. This efficiency is crucial for a project that plans up to 24 production and injection wells in Phase One. Drilling is expected to continue through 2026, potentially with a second rig mobilized later in the year.

Vercana's role here is noteworthy. Established as Vulcan's dedicated geothermal drilling company, it addresses the specialized needs of deep, high-temperature wells in geothermal environments. Partnerships with firms like Odfjell Technology for tubular running services further enhance operational capabilities.

Broader Implications for Europe’s Energy and Materials Security

Europe faces a critical challenge: securing lithium supplies for the booming EV and battery sector while reducing dependence on imports from regions with higher environmental and geopolitical risks. The Lionheart Project directly tackles this by creating a local, sustainable supply chain. Backed by major financing—including €250 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and a total package approaching €2.2 billion—the project received its Final Investment Decision (FID) in late 2025.

Key contractors like ABB (electrical infrastructure), Turboden (geothermal power plant), and ACS Group/Sedgman/HOCHTIEF (lithium plants) are involved, ensuring world-class execution. The project's strategic importance has earned support as part of the EU's push for raw material autonomy and decarbonization.

Geothermal energy itself gains momentum in Germany, where the government aims to expand capacity significantly. With 36 plants already operating and more in development, projects like Lionheart demonstrate how geothermal can provide reliable, renewable baseload power alongside valuable mineral extraction.

Challenges and the Path Forward

While progress is impressive, challenges remain. Deep drilling in geothermal settings requires precision to handle high temperatures, pressures, and potential formation issues. However, Vulcan's experience with existing wells and positive test results from LSC-1b bode well. Commercial lithium production is targeted for 2028, with upstream facilities like the Geothermal Lithium Extraction Plant (G-LEP) under construction.

The Lionheart Project exemplifies how innovation can align economic, environmental, and energy security goals. By turning geothermal brines into dual streams of renewable energy and critical materials, Vulcan is pioneering a model that could inspire similar developments worldwide.

As drilling advances at Schleidberg, the geothermal and lithium communities watch closely. This is more than a project—it's a step toward a cleaner, more self-reliant future for Europe's green transition.

Stay tuned to Alphaxioms Geothermal News for more updates on this and other geothermal advancements.

Connect with us: LinkedIn, X

Source: Researched and Written by Alphaxioms

Comments

Hot Topics

Blowout at Cape Station: Fervo Energy’s First Major Crisis After Blockbuster IPO

Just weeks after a record-breaking IPO, the flagship project of the "geothermal unicorn" faces its first major operational crisis. By : Robert Buluma Beaver County, Utah – The morning of May 27, 2026, began like any other at the Cape Station construction site in rural Utah. Workers for Fervo Energy, the newly public darling of the renewable energy world, were engaged in the complex task of drilling deep into the Earth’s crust to unlock what the company promised would be the future of 24/7 clean power. But by the afternoon, the routine had turned into a crisis. The site had experienced a blowout—an uncontrolled release of fluid or pressure from a well. For any energy company, a blowout is a serious matter. For Fervo Energy, which had just raised $1.89 billion in a blockbuster Nasdaq debut two weeks prior, it represents an immediate stress test of its technology, its safety protocols, and its $7.7 billion market valuation. While the well has since been contained and no injur...

The Heat Beneath Our Feet: How Canada’s First National Geothermal Roadmap Could Redefine Clean Energy

The Heat Beneath Our Feet: Canada Invests in First National Geothermal Energy Roadmap By: Robert Buluma Image: The Eavor Wonder, something amazing 👏 Calgary, Alberta – June 11, 2026 – In a move that signals a significant shift toward diversifying its clean energy portfolio, the Government of Canada has officially invested in its first national roadmap for deep geothermal energy. The announcement, made today by the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources , marks a pivotal moment for a country better known for its oil sands and hydroelectric dams than for harnessing the heat of the Earth’s crust. With a conditional investment of $468,000 through Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Innovation Program , the government is backing the Canadian Deep Geothermal Roadmap project. Led by the Canadian Deep Geothermal Coalition and supported by the Cascade Institute as the secretariat, this initiative aims to create a cohesive, evidence-based strate...

Rodatherm Energy: The Refrigerant Gambit

By: Robert Buluma Rodatherm Energy has done something no other geothermal startup has attempted at commercial scale: swapped water for refrigerant in a closed-loop system. The claim is 50% higher thermal efficiency than water-based binary cycles, achieved by circulating a proprietary phase-change fluid through a fully cased, pressurized wellbore. The company emerged from stealth in September 2025 with a $38 million Series A—the largest first venture raise in geothermal history. Lead investor Evok Innovations was joined by Toyota Ventures, TDK Ventures, and the Grantham Foundation. The engineering thesis is elegant. The execution risks are significant. This is an Alphaxioms examination of both. II. The Thermodynamic Distinction Every geothermal company you've covered moves heat using water or steam. Rodatherm moves heat using a fluid that boils and condenses inside the wellbore. In a conventional closed-loop water system (Eavor's model), water circulates as a single-phase liq...

Mazama Energy Newberry Superhot Geothermal Breakthrough Reshapes Clean Energy

Mazama Energy’s Superhot Rock Vision Redefines Global Geothermal Power By Robert Buluma The geothermal industry is entering a new era, and one company is pushing the boundaries of what was once considered technically impossible. Mazama Energy has ignited global attention after revealing extraordinary progress at its Newberry geothermal site in central Oregon, where it reportedly achieved temperatures of 331°C in an enhanced geothermal system environment. For an industry accustomed to operating within the 150°C to 300°C range, this milestone is more than impressive — it signals the possible beginning of a technological transformation capable of reshaping the future of clean baseload power. For decades, geothermal energy has quietly remained one of the most reliable renewable energy resources on Earth. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal power does not depend on weather conditions, sunlight, or seasonal variability. It delivers continuous electricity twenty-four hours a day, seven ...

The Retrofit Revolution: How GreenFire Energy Is Turning Abandoned Oil & Geothermal Wells Into Continuous Clean Power Without New Drilling

The Retrofit Revolution: How GreenFire Energy Is Unlocking Geothermal Power Without Drilling a Single New Well By: Robert Buluma While much of the geothermal energy sector has been focused on breakthrough drilling techniques—deeper wells, hotter reservoirs, and complex engineered systems—a quieter revolution has been unfolding in the background. Instead of chasing entirely new subsurface frontiers, one company has chosen a radically simpler question: What if the answer was already in the ground? GreenFire Energy is advancing a retrofit-first geothermal strategy that targets one of the most overlooked opportunities in the global energy transition: existing wells that are underperforming, depleted, or completely abandoned. Rather than drilling new holes into the Earth, the company is reusing the infrastructure that already exists—turning stranded assets into continuous sources of clean, baseload electricity. This approach is not just technically elegant. It may also be one of ...

"Below the Surface: How Baker Hughes is Drilling the 24/7 Clean Energy Solution"

Below the Surface: How Baker Hughes is Drilling the 24/7 Clean Energy Solution By: Robert Buluma The geothermal era has arrived — and Baker Hughes is holding the drill. While much of the energy world remains fixated on LNG exports and offshore wind, a quieter revolution is taking place beneath our feet. Baker Hughes (BKR) , the Houston-based energy technology giant, has assembled what may be the most comprehensive geothermal partnership network in the industry — positioning itself as the go-to industrial executor for next-generation geothermal power. In 2026 alone, the company has locked in strategic collaborations spanning three continents, from the deserts of Saudi Arabia to the outback of Australia and the high-heat basins of the American West. The common thread? Baker Hughes is applying a century of oil and gas drilling expertise to unlock geothermal energy at industrial scale — and the data center boom is providing the perfect market catalyst. The Strategy: "G...

Sage Geosystems: Turning Underground Pressure Into 24/7 Power

Sage Geosystems : The Geothermal Startup That Turns Pressure Into Power By: Robert Buluma Most conversations about advanced geothermal circle around the same question: How do you extract heat from dry rock? Sage Geosystems started with a different question: What if the Earth could do most of the work for you? Based in Houston, Sage has quietly built a technology stack that treats the subsurface not just as a heat source, but as a pressure vessel. Their system captures heat and mechanical energy, stores energy underground like a battery, and uses a fraction of the surface pumping that conventional geothermal requires. This article focuses entirely on Sage , how their technology works, what makes it genuinely different, and where the blind spots still are. Part I: The Core Innovation , Pressure Geothermal Sage's foundational insight is simple but powerful: deep hot rock isn't just hot. It's also under immense natural pressure. Traditional geothermal systems ignore that pre...

The XGS Energy Heat Sponge Solves Geothermal's Biggest Problem

The XGS Energy Heat Sponge Solves Geothermal's Biggest Problem I mage: A californian XGS well pad Imagine drilling a hole into the Earth’s hot crust but instead of simply dropping in a pipe and hoping for the best, you paint the inside of that hole with a magic material that soaks up heat like a sponge soaks up water. Then you seal it, circulate a fluid, and generate clean, firm electricity 24/7, no fracking, no water consumption, no earthquakes. That’s not science fiction. That’s XGS Energy . While most of the geothermal world has been chasing fracked reservoirs or massive drilling rigs, XGS quietly built a prototype, ran it for over 3,000 hours in one of the harshest geothermal environments on Earth, and landed a 150 MW deal with Meta – enough to power tens of thousands of homes or a massive data center campus. This is the story of a technology that might be the most elegant, low-risk, and capital-efficient path to scalable geothermal power. Let’s dig in. Part 1: The Pro...

Project Obsidian: Unlocking Superhot Geothermal Power from Deep Earth

Quaise Energy and the Dawn of Superhot Geothermal Power in Oregon By: Robert Buluma Inside Project Obsidian and the Future of Deep Earth Energy The global energy transition has long been defined by solar panels on rooftops, wind turbines across plains, and batteries reshaping grids. Yet beneath all these familiar technologies, another contender is quietly emerging—one that does not depend on weather, daylight, or even surface conditions at all. It comes from deep within the Earth itself, from rock so hot it behaves almost like a molten energy reservoir. That is the frontier where Quaise Energy is now operating. In Oregon, the company is developing what could become the world’s first superhot geothermal power plant under its ambitious initiative known as Project Obsidian . If successful, it could mark a fundamental shift in how humanity produces clean, continuous electricity—moving from shallow geothermal pockets to tapping heat sources several kilometers beneath the Earth’s surfac...

Enhanced Geothermal Systems Financing Hurdles

The Heat Beneath: Why Enhanced Geothermal Systems Can't Get Financing—And What It Will Take to Change That By : Robert Buluma Introduction: The Paradox of Boundless Energy Beneath our feet lies an energy source so vast that capturing just a fraction of it could power civilization for millennia. More than five terawatts of heat resources exist beneath the United States alone—enough to meet the electricity needs of the entire world. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), which circulate water through engineered fractures in deep hot rock, promise to unlock this resource nearly anywhere on the planet, not just in volcanic hotspots. The technology is improving faster than almost anyone expected. Costs are falling. The fossil fuel industry's drilling expertise is being repurposed. And yet, for all its promise, EGS remains stuck in a financial no-man's-land—too big for venture capital, too risky for traditional lenders, and too unfamiliar for the infrastructure investors who could tr...

ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Search This Blog