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Green Therma deploys closed-loop geothermal demonstration in Groß Schönebeck, Germany

Green Therma deploys demonstration of closed-loop geothermal in Groß Schönebeck, Germany Green Therma has deployed its closed-loop geothermal demonstration at the Groß Schönebeck research site in Germany, and the project is now moving from installation into operation. The system is intended to test the company’s Heat4Ever/DualVac concept under real geothermal conditions at depths of more than 3 kilometers.  Green Therma deploys closed-loop geothermal demonstration in Groß Schönebeck, Germany Green Therma has reached an important milestone in the development of closed-loop geothermal technology with the deployment of its demonstration project at the Groß Schönebeck research site in Germany. The company says the system is now circulating water through a single-well closed-loop configuration, bringing geothermal heat to the surface from more than 3 kilometers underground.  The project is being carried out at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences’ geothermal research facility,...

Geo Dipa Launches Open Tender: Rig Bundling Services Now Available for Jailolo Geothermal Exploration

PT Geo Dipa Energi (Persero ) has recently announced an open tender for Rig Bundling Services specifically for the Jailolo geothermal exploration project in West Halmahera, North Maluku, Indonesia.  This procurement marks a significant step forward in advancing geothermal energy development in one of Indonesia's promising frontier areas. The tender, referenced under announcement number 008.PLL/PST.PBJ-GDE/III/2026 (or similar variations noted in related documents), invites qualified contractors to provide integrated drilling services. The scope involves drilling two exploration wells in the Jailolo Geothermal Working Area (WKP Jailolo) using a 1000-1500 HP rig, bundled with essential supporting services. These include mud logging, H2S safety monitoring, water supply transfer systems, tubular/OCTG inspection, casing running, drill bits, drilling cuttings and waste management, and fuel supply. This bundled approach streamlines operations, reduces risks, and optimizes costs for the st...

Exploration of Geothermal Potential in Virovitica Has Begun

The exploratory well Virovitica GT-1 (VirGT-1) is investigating the possibilities of utilizing a local renewable energy source. By: Robert Buluma Exploration work has started in Virovitica to assess the geothermal potential of the VirGT-1 well. This is part of a project evaluating the use of geothermal energy for energy purposes. The research is being conducted by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency ( AZU ) in the geothermal water exploration area “Virovitica 2,” which covers parts of the City of Virovitica and the Municipality of Lukač. “With this initiative, Virovitica is showing a forward-thinking approach to long-term development and the pursuit of sustainable solutions for the city’s future. Exploring geothermal potential is important because it allows us to assess our available options based on expert, verified data,” said Ivica Kirin, Mayor of Virovitica. The VirGT-1 exploratory geothermal well is planned to reach a depth of approximately 1,300 meters. The research targets geologica...

Geothermal Revolution in the Desert: KAEC Teams Up with Strataphy to Slash Energy Use

KAEC and Strataphy Forge a Path to Sustainable Urban Cooling: A Landmark Partnership in Geothermal Innovation By:  Robert Buluma In a significant step forward for sustainable urban development in Saudi Arabia, Emaar, The Economic City (KAEC ) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Strataphy, a leading Saudi deep-tech startup specializing in geothermal cooling solutions. Announced recently, this collaboration aims to explore the large-scale deployment of advanced geothermal cooling technologies across KAEC’s expansive facilities and tenant ecosystem. The partnership focuses on introducing innovative “Cooling as a Service” models that promise to enhance operational efficiency, dramatically reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and support scalable, future-ready infrastructure. This initiative aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sustainability goals and the broader Saudi Green Initiative. King Abdullah Economic City: The Foundation for...

Fervo Energy Hits 290°C Milestone: Project Blanford Sets New Standard for Enhanced Geothermal

Fervo Energy has achieved a major breakthrough in next-generation geothermal energy with the announcement of their hottest well to date at Project Blanford in Utah.  By:  Robert Buluma This press release, dated February 9, 2026, highlights rapid progress in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and underscores the company's pivotal role in delivering reliable, 24/7 carbon-free power. As global energy demand surges and the push for decarbonization intensifies, milestones like this could reshape the future of baseload renewable energy. The Breakthrough at Project Blanford Fervo Energy , a Houston-based leader in advanced geothermal development, recently completed a successful appraisal drilling campaign at a new greenfield site named Project Blanford, situated in Millard County, Utah. The standout result: a vertical appraisal well that reached resource temperatures exceeding 555°F (approximately 290°C) at a depth of about 11,200 feet. This marks the hottest well in Fervo's history...

Supercritical Geothermal Breakthrough: 400C Energy Tests 400°C Frac Port and Targets $50/MWh Clean Power

Breakthrough in Supercritical Geothermal: 400C Energy's Milestone Paves the Way for Ultra-Low-Cost Clean Power By :  Robert Buluma In the rapidly advancing world of renewable energy, breakthroughs in geothermal technology stand out for their potential to deliver reliable, always-on power at costs that rival traditional fossil fuels. 400C Energy has just shared an exciting update: they have successfully completed rigorous testing of their 9.625-inch super-hot capable frac port equipped with integral flow control. This component withstood extreme cyclic conditions of 400°C and 15,000 psi frac differential, marking a major step forward for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) targeting supercritical resources. This achievement opens the door to generating electricity at a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) below $50/MWh delivering ultra-low-cost, clean, baseload power that can compete directly with coal and natural gas while scaling quickly to utility-scale deployment. From Conventional G...

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Fervo Cape Station First Power: EGS Geothermal 24/7 Carbon-Free Baseload

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...

DOE awards $99M to 21 projects to accelerate U.S. geothermal development

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...

"US Geothermal Tax Credits 2026: What the IRA/45Q Changes Mean for Developers"

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...

OrPower 22 and Globeleq Add 70 MW to Kenya Grid

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...

MB Centuary sells a drilling rig

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...

Superior Energy’s Welltec Deal Boosts Global Geothermal Reach

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...

DOE Allocates $10.75 Million for University Geothermal Research and Workforce Training

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...

Chiyoda and Sage Geosystems Advance Next-Generation Geothermal Power

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...

Sage Geosystems SMECI Facility Validates Scalable EGS Power Model

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...

Global Geothermal Power Market Review 2026.

Global Geothermal Power: Policies, Funding, Wells, Strengths, Opportunities and Barriers Geothermal is moving into a broader investment cycle. In 2026, the story is no longer limited to volcanic power plants in a few classic markets; it now includes enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop designs, district heating, superhot rock, lithium from brines and industrial heat. Across the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Iceland, France and Italy, the sector is being shaped by a simple question: who is de-risking the first wells, and who is ready to finance the next ones?  United States: the next-generation testbed The United States has the broadest geothermal innovation ecosystem in this group, with a mature conventional base in the West and a fast-growing next-generation pipeline. The main policy signal in 2026 is the Department of Energy’s US$171.5 million funding opportunity for next-generation geothermal field-scale tests, exploration...