ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

The Hidden Treasure Beneath Our Feet: How Geothermal Energy is Powering Tomorrow's Heat Supply in North Rhine-Westphalia By:  Robert Buluma Imagine standing in the heart of an industrial city like Duisburg, where once coal-fired power plants dominated the skyline, and now a quiet revolution is brewing deep underground. On January 8, 2026, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy, Mona Neubaur,handed over a funding notice worth approximately 7.5 million euros to the Stadtwerke Duisburg. This isn't just paperwork ,it's the key to unlocking a sustainable future for heat supply in one of Germany's most populous regions. This milestone marks a bold step in NRW's ambitious push toward a climate-neutral heat supply by 2045. At the center of this transformation stands geothermal energy,the reliable, weather-independent heat stored beneath our feet. Duisburg's exploration drilling project exemplifies how the stat...

Revolutionizing the Depths: How GEOLOG's Strategic Acquisition is Supercharging Geothermal Energy's Future By: Robert Buluma Imagine plunging miles beneath the Earth's surface, tapping into an ancient furnace of heat that never sleeps, never falters, and never runs out. This is geothermal energy—the planet's own endless battery, capable of powering civilizations with clean, reliable electricity around the clock. While solar panels go dark at night and wind turbines stand idle in calm air, geothermal delivers baseload power with capacity factors often above 90%. In a world racing toward net-zero emissions and facing exploding energy demands from data centers, electric vehicles, and industrial growth, geothermal is emerging as the sleeping giant ready to awaken. Scaling geothermal globally, however, is no simple task. Drilling deep into the crust exposes crews to extreme conditions: temperatures soaring past 300°C, highly corrosive fluids, and rock so hard it can destroy...

FORGE: Engineering the Earth’s Heat and Redefining the Future of Geothermal Energy Deep beneath our feet lies an energy source so vast that it could power civilization for millennia. It does not depend on sunshine, wind patterns, rainfall, or seasons. It operates day and night, immune to geopolitical disruptions and fuel price volatility. This source is geothermal energy — and at the heart of its most ambitious transformation sits a groundbreaking initiative known as the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE). FORGE is not a power plant. It is not a commercial geothermal field. It is something far more radical: a living laboratory designed to solve the single greatest challenge holding geothermal energy back from global dominance how to engineer reliable geothermal reservoirs anywhere on Earth. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the FORGE program, exploring its goals and objectives, examining its current status and future direction, and distilling...

Geo Dipa's Ambitious Leap: Extracting Silica and Lithium from Geothermal Brines by 2028 Introduction In an era where the global energy transition demands sustainable sources of critical minerals, Indonesia's state-owned PT Geo Dipa Energi ( Persero ) is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation. By 2028, Geo Dipa plans to commence commercial production of silica and lithium extracted from geothermal brines, a byproduct of its geothermal power operations. This initiative not only diversifies the company's revenue streams but also aligns with Indonesia's broader goals of enhancing renewable energy capacity and supporting the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain.  Geothermal energy, harnessed from the Earth's heat, produces hot brines rich in dissolved minerals like lithium and silica. Traditionally viewed as waste, these brines are now seen as valuable resources. Geo Dipa's strategy builds on years of feasibility studies and international partnershi...

Banda Baru Geothermal Survey Tender Fails to Attract Bidders By:  Robert Buluma Indonesia's push toward renewable energy suffered a notable setback in late 2025 when the tender for the Preliminary Survey and Exploration Assignment (WPSPE) of the Banda Baru Sepa geothermal block closed without a single bidder. Located on the remote Seram Island in Maluku Province, this 1,989-hectare site was seen as a promising addition to the nation's geothermal portfolio, with estimated potential of around 25-30 MW. The tender, open from October 31 to December 1, 2025, aimed to assign a developer for initial surveys and exploration, but the lack of interest underscores deep-rooted challenges in attracting investment to Indonesia's geothermal sector. Seram Island, a rugged and largely undeveloped landmass north of Ambon, is characterized by dense rainforests, towering mountains, and limited infrastructure. The Banda Baru block's location amplifies logistical difficulties, making it a to...

FINANCING STRATEGIES FOR GEOTHERMAL PROJECTS LEVERAGING TAX CREDIT INCENTIVES Aligning Policy, Risk Mitigation, and Investor Capital to Unlock Geothermal Growth Geothermal energy stands at a unique crossroads in the global energy transition. It is one of the few renewable resources capable of delivering continuous, baseload power and heat, independent of weather conditions. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal offers grid stability, industrial heat, and long-term energy security. Yet despite its immense potential, geothermal deployment has historically lagged behind other renewables due to high upfront capital costs, geological uncertainty, and complex financing requirements. In recent years, governments and financial institutions have increasingly turned to **tax credit incentives as a strategic lever to overcome these barriers. By reducing capital expenditure, improving cash flow profiles, and attracting institutional investors, tax credits are reshaping how geothermal projects are fina...

A Breakthrough in UK Geothermal: Pioneering Commercial-Scale Borehole Thermal Energy Storage By:  Robert Buluma In a recent LinkedIn post, Simon Todd, Managing Director of Causeway Energies , shared exciting details about a groundbreaking geothermal project that's set to make history in the UK and Ireland. This initiative isn't just another feasibility study it's poised to deliver the region's first commercial-scale Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) system, with installation planned for 2026. The Project: Smart Replacement for Aging Infrastructure The story begins with a local authority council building that already had a ground source heat pump providing underfloor heating in winter. Unfortunately, the heat pump was damaged by water, and aging chillers were struggling to meet summer cooling demands. Causeway Energies conducted a Phase 1 feasibility study and proposed a brilliant, efficient solution: replace both the old heat-only pump and the chillers with a singl...

Geothermal Policies Around the World: A Comparative Analysis By: Robert Buluma Introduction to Geothermal Energy and Its Global Significance Geothermal energy harnesses the Earth's internal heat to generate electricity, provide heating, and support industrial processes. Unlike solar or wind, it offers a stable, baseload power source unaffected by weather, making it a cornerstone for renewable energy transitions. Globally, geothermal power capacity stands at around 15-16 GW, contributing significantly in regions with volcanic activity or tectonic plates. Countries like Iceland, where geothermal meets 25% of electricity needs, exemplify its potential. The International Energy Agency notes that while over 100 nations have policies for solar and wind, fewer than 30 support geothermal, highlighting a policy gap. This article explores geothermal policies in key countries: the United States, Iceland, New Zealand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Kenya, Italy, Japan, and Turkey. By examining in...