ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Geothermal Exploration on Hawaiian Home Lands: A Path to Energy Independence and Economic Empowerment By: Robert Buluma In a bold move that could reshape Hawaii's energy landscape and provide long-term benefits for Native Hawaiians, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands ( DHHL ) announced plans to request $15 million from the state legislature for geothermal exploration. This funding, spread over three years, aims to investigate and identify geothermal resources across DHHL's trust lands statewide. Led by DHHL Chair Kali Watson, the initiative highlights geothermal energy's potential as a revenue generator to lower electricity costs for homesteaders, produce water through desalination processes, and fund essential home construction projects. "It’s actually a tremendous potential revenue source, especially considering the cost of electricity nowadays," Watson emphasized in recent statements. This proposal comes at a pivotal time for Hawaii, where high energy costs ...

Unearthing the Future: Dongying's 162°C Geothermal Breakthrough and the Path to Monetization By: Robert Buluma In the heart of Shandong Province's Dongying Port Economic Development Zone, a remarkable spectacle unfolded on January 9, 2026. From the depths of the earth, at a staggering 4002.17 meters below the surface, hot water surged forth from the "Dong Gao Re 1" well, reaching an outlet temperature of 138°C and a bottom-hole temperature of 162°C. This wasn't just a gush of steam and water; it was a beacon of hope for China's energy transition. Enveloped in a misty plume that caught the winter sun's rays, creating subtle rainbows, this event marked a pivotal moment in the nation's pursuit of sustainable energy under the "dual carbon" goals—aiming for carbon peak by 2030 and neutrality by 2060. The announcement came during a press conference on the "Deep High-Temperature Geothermal Resources Exploration in the Yellow River Basin of Shan...

Turning Deep Earth Heat Into a Scalable Climate Solution: Green Therma and GFZ Potsdam Launch Breakthrough Geothermal Demonstration By: Robert Buluma Published on January 17, 2026 In the quest for reliable, carbon-neutral energy, geothermal heat stands out as one of the most promising yet underutilized resources. Unlike solar or wind, which depend on weather, geothermal energy draws from the Earth's constant internal heat — a source that's available 24/7, year-round. However, traditional geothermal systems often face high costs, geological risks, and significant heat loss when extracting energy from great depths. Enter Green Therma, a Danish innovator, and the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ (Germany's leading earth sciences research center). In early 2026, they're launching a groundbreaking demonstration at the renowned geothermal research site in Groß Schönebeck, north of Berlin. This project marks the world's first real-world installation of Green Therma's pate...

Revolutionizing Geothermal Energy: Rodatherm's Game-Changing Approach in Utah Posted by Alphaxioms Geothermal News on January 17, 2026 Utah-based Rodatherm Energy Corporation has revolutionized the geothermal energy equation, and venture capitalists have taken note. With pilot projects planned for Millard County and Beaver County, the company has what founder and CEO Curtis Cook calls “a novel approach” to geothermal technology. In a world racing toward sustainable energy solutions, geothermal power has long been a reliable but underutilized player. Traditional geothermal systems rely on water to extract heat from the Earth's depths, often limiting their deployment to remote, sparsely populated areas due to environmental concerns and high costs. But Rodatherm is flipping the script with its innovative, waterless closed-loop system that promises efficiency, scalability, and minimal environmental impact. At the heart of Rodatherm's technology is what Cook describes as ...

Tanzania Embraces Geothermal Energy: A Path to Sustainable Power By: Robert Buluma Tanzania is taking bold steps toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future by prioritizing geothermal power development. During a recent address at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Annual Meeting of the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Minister for Energy Deogratius Ndejembi reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to geothermal energy as a key pillar of the country’s energy mix. The minister emphasized that geothermal will help deliver sufficient, affordable, and sustainable electricity while supporting global efforts to transition to clean energy systems. This strategic focus is embedded in major national and international frameworks, including Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, the 2015 National Energy Policy, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris cl...

The 2025 U.S. Geothermal Market Report published by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, formerly NREL) in collaboration with Geothermal Rising and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), provides a comprehensive update on the geothermal sector since the 2021 report.  By:  Robert Buluma Released in 2025 (with data through mid-2025), it expands coverage to include geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) for single-building and district applications, alongside power generation and direct use. The report highlights steady growth in installed capacity, accelerating investment in next-generation technologies like enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and closed-loop geothermal (CLG), cost declines, policy support, and emerging opportunities driven by demand for reliable, 24/7 clean energy. Geothermal Power Generation: Steady Growth and Momentum U.S. geothermal power has seen consistent expansion, with nameplate installed capacity reaching 3,96...

Harnessing Earth's Fury: SMUD and Calpine's Bold Expansion at The Geysers Geothermal Field Deep beneath the rolling hills of Northern California, a primordial force simmers—a vast reservoir of superheated steam, born from the planet's molten core. This is The Geysers, the world's largest geothermal complex, where the Earth's inner heat is tamed to power homes, businesses, and dreams of a cleaner future. In a significant step forward for renewable energy, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and Calpine Corporation have announced an extension and expansion of their power purchase agreement (PPA) for geothermal energy from this iconic site. This partnership boosts capacity, fortifies the grid, and promises reliable, zero-carbon power for decades to come. The Geysers' story blends natural wonder with human innovation. Revered for millennia, the area saw commercial geothermal power generation begin in 1960. Today, the field spans a vast area in the Mayac...

Switch's Bold Move: Signing a 13MW Geothermal PPA with Ormat Technologies in Nevada – A Game-Changer for Sustainable Data Centers Image: Ormat Power Plant Posted by Alphaxioms Geothermal News on January 12, 2026 Welcome back to Alphaxioms Geothermal News, your go-to source for all things geothermal energy, innovation, and sustainability. As we kick off 2026, the intersection of renewable energy and high-tech industries is heating up—literally. Today, we're diving deep into a groundbreaking announcement that's set to reshape how data centers power their operations. Global data center operator Switch has inked a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ormat Technologies for 13MW of geothermal power from the Salt Wells geothermal power plant in Nevada. This isn't just another deal; it's a pivotal step toward carbon-free, reliable energy for the AI-driven future. In this comprehensive blog post, we'll unpack the details of this agreement, explore the technolog...

Kenya's Geothermal Revolution: How the China-Backed OrPower 22 Plant is Powering a Sustainable Future By: Robert Buluma Kenya stands tall as a leader in Africa's renewable energy journey, with geothermal power taking center stage. Deep within the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley lies one of the continent's most abundant and reliable clean energy resources. Experts estimate Kenya's geothermal potential at over 10,000 MW, yet the country has so far developed only a fraction—approximately 950 MW—placing it among the world's top geothermal producers despite utilizing just a small portion of what nature offers. In this exciting chapter of Kenya's energy story, the OrPower 22 geothermal power plant marks a significant milestone. This 35 MW facility, supported by China's Kaishan Group , is scheduled to start delivering electricity to Kenya Power in March 2026. With the plant now complete and testing set to begin shortly, the $92 million (approximately ...

Versailles Embraces Deep Geothermal Energy to Decarbonize Its District Heating Network By Robert Buluma The historic city of Versailles in France's Yvelines department is taking a bold step toward sustainability. On December 18, 2025, Mayor François de Mazières and Franck Lacroix, Deputy Managing Director of Engie , signed a 32-year concession agreement. This partnership entrusts Engie with transforming, modernizing, and greening the city's district heating network, aiming to slash carbon emissions while providing reliable, renewable heat to residents. At the project's core is deep geothermal energy, harnessing the natural heat from underground aquifers. The site targets the Dogger aquifer, a limestone formation from the Middle Jurassic period, located about 1,500 meters below the Paris Basin. Water in this layer reaches temperatures of around 60°C, making it ideal for heating. The plan involves drilling a geothermal doublet two wells: one to extract hot water and another t...