Kalisz Embarks on Geothermal Revolution: 1,700-Meter Well to Unlock Network of Thermal Pools, Heated Apartment Blocks, and Homes By: Robert Buluma In the heart of Poland’s Greater Poland Voivodeship, the historic city of Kalisz is taking a bold leap into the renewable energy future. On February 25, 2026, city authorities signed a landmark contract to drill an exploratory geothermal well reaching 1,700 meters deep. The project, dubbed “Kalisz GT1,” aims to confirm the presence, quality, temperature, and productivity of thermal waters beneath the city — potentially transforming Kalisz into a hub for low-carbon district heating and a network of therapeutic thermal pools. The headline-grabbing Polish announcement — “Sieć basenów termalnych, ogrzane bloki i domy. Miasto drąży odwiert na 1700 metrów” — perfectly captures the ambition: a geothermal-powered network of thermal baths, heated residential blocks, and family homes. If successful, this could slash heating costs, improve air quality,...

The Jollibee Group , the powerhouse behind the iconic fast-food chain loved across the Philippines and beyond, has taken a massive step toward sustainability.  By: Robert Buluma In a groundbreaking move announced in early February 2026, the company has shifted 99% of the electricity needs for its Philippine commissaries to renewable geothermal power supplied by First Gen Corporation. This isn't just a small tweak,it's a major leap in reducing environmental impact while keeping the joy flowing through millions of meals daily. What Are Commissaries and Why Do They Matter? Commissaries are the large-scale food production and distribution hubs where Jollibee prepares ingredients, sauces, patties, and other essentials before sending them to thousands of stores. These facilities consume substantial energy for refrigeration, cooking, processing, and logistics—making them prime targets for greener upgrades. By going renewable here, Jollibee tackles emissions at the source of its supply...

Ukraine's Push for Sustainable Heating: The Starokostiantyniv Shallow Geothermal District Heating Project By: Robert Buluma In the heart of Central Ukraine, the town of Starokostiantyniv in the Khmelnytskyi region is stepping into a promising future for clean, reliable heating. A new collaborative initiative, funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine, has officially launched. Titled "Shallow Geothermal District Heating in Ukraine," this pre-feasibility study and regulatory recommendations project aims to integrate innovative shallow geothermal technology into the town's district heating system. This development comes at a critical time for Ukraine. The ongoing war has severely disrupted traditional energy supplies, making energy security and resilience top priorities. District heating, which serves a large portion of urban populations through centralized systems, remains heavily reliant...

The recent announcement from Stratatphy marks a significant step in sustainable infrastructure development in Saudi Arabia. At the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Forum held February 9-10, 2026, in Riyadh, Strataphy signed a strategic agreement with Saudi Tabreed District Cooling Company, a key player backed by the PIF. By:  Robert Buluma Image:Strataphy and Saudi Tabreed Forge Groundbreaking Partnership: Pioneering Geothermal Cooling for Saudi Arabia's AI and Digital Infrastructure Boom This partnership integrates Strataphy's innovative PrimeLoop geothermal cooling technology with Saudi Tabreed's established district cooling platforms. The goal is to address the escalating cooling demands driven by Saudi Arabia's massive buildup of AI and digital infrastructure, including over 3 GW of planned data center capacity.  The Cooling Crisis in the Age of AI Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 and beyond includes transforming the Kingdom into a global hub fo...

Pioneering Industrial Deep Geothermal in Île-de-France: Safran Aircraft Engines and Dalkia Achieve Major Milestone at Villaroche Site By: Robert Buluma In a major step forward for industrial decarbonization in France, Safran Aircraft Engines — a global leader in aeronautical propulsion — has partnered with Dalkia (an EDF subsidiary) to develop the first deep geothermal station dedicated to industry in the Île-de-France region. Announced in a press release on February 18, 2026, the project at Safran's Villaroche industrial site in Seine-et-Marne has reached a key milestone: the producer well (puits producteur) has been successfully drilled to a depth of 1,650 meters, tapping into naturally heated water at around 75°C. Drilling for the injector well is now underway, with completion expected in April 2026 and full commissioning of the geothermal plant targeted for autumn 2026. This innovative installation combines deep geothermal energy, high-efficiency heat pumps, and modernized ...

UK's British Geological Survey Seeks Your Input: Shaping the Future of Shallow Geothermal Data Products for Net Zero Heating By:  Robert Buluma The British Geological Survey (BGS) , in collaboration with Energy Systems Catapult (ESC), is gearing up to revolutionize how we access and use subsurface data for shallow geothermal energy—and they're actively asking for stakeholder feedback right now! Published on 24 February 2026, this exciting initiative aims to turn BGS's vast geological expertise and datasets into practical, user-friendly products that accelerate the rollout of ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) and other shallow geothermal solutions across Great Britain. With the UK's ambitious Net Zero targets demanding low-carbon heating alternatives, this could be a game-changer for buildings, heat networks, and decarbonization efforts. Why This Project Matters Shallow geothermal technologies, like closed-loop GSHPs, tap into the stable temperatures just below ground le...

The recent announcement from Gradient Geothermal  marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of renewable energy and artificial intelligence infrastructure.  By:  Robert Buluma On February 25, 2026, the Denver-based geothermal company signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Muir Global Holdings, LLC, the incubator of GEOT.Ai, to develop behind-the-meter geothermal power solutions specifically tailored for AI factories. The initial focus is a proposed pilot project in the Los Angeles Basin, southern California, aiming to deliver up to 5 megawatts of clean, reliable geothermal energy to power high-density AI compute clusters. This partnership is more than just another energy deal—it's a blueprint for reimagining how we power the AI revolution while addressing escalating concerns over grid strain, carbon emissions, and energy security. Why AI Factories Need Dedicated, Reliable PowerThe explosive growth of artificial intelligence has created unprecedented en...

Congratulations to HERRENKNECHT AG – The 2026 EGIA Award Winner! By:  Robert Buluma Herrenknecht AG has been named the winner of the 2026 European Geothermal Innovation Award (EGIA), also known as the Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award. The award was presented by the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC ) during a special ceremony at the GeoTHERM Congress & Expo in Offenburg, Germany, on February 26, 2026. The EGIA recognizes companies making exceptional contributions to the advancement of geothermal energy in Europe through innovative products, scientific research, or project initiatives. Entries are evaluated based on originality, innovation, reliability, emission reductions, and improvements in energy output. This year, EGEC received 16 strong applications, making the selection process highly competitive. A jury of eight experts carefully reviewed the submissions and selected five finalists before crowning Herrenknecht AG as the winner. EGEC Preside...

The U.S. Department of Energy just dropped a massive boost for geothermal energy—and it's game-changing for the future of clean, reliable power! By:  Robert Buluma DOE Unleashes $171.5 Million to Supercharge Next-Generation Geothermal in the U.S. On February 25, 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a funding opportunity worth up to $171.5 million through its Office of Geothermal. This isn't small change—it's aimed at accelerating next-generation geothermal technologies that could unlock massive potential for affordable, 24/7 baseload energy across America. Why does this matter? The U.S. already leads globally with about 4 gigawatts of installed geothermal capacity, but DOE studies show we could realistically scale to at least 300 gigawatts by 2050. That's enough to power millions of homes and businesses with clean, domestic energy that doesn't rely on weather or time of day. This funding directly supports President Trump's Executive Order on Unleashing...

UK's Geothermal Dawn: Cornwall Lights Up the Future of Constant Clean Power and Green Lithium Too By: Robert Buluma Image: Cornwall becomes the heartbeat of UK Geothermal,  Great time to be alive On February 26, 2026, a quiet but historic moment unfolded in the granite heartland of Cornwall. After years of vision, engineering grit, and one of the deepest holes ever sunk into British rock, Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL ) flipped the switch. The United Downs Deep Geothermal Power Plant came online – the first time the United Kingdom has ever generated grid electricity directly from the Earth’s natural heat. This isn’t another wind farm that stops when the breeze dies, or a solar array that goes dark at dusk. This is baseload renewable power: steady, weather-independent, always available. Up to 3 MW of constant electricity is now flowing  enough to supply roughly 10,000 British homes  sold under a long-term agreement to Octopus Energy. At the same moment, the same geotherm...

Exclusive Insights from INL's Trevor Atkinson: The Future of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) , Critical Minerals , and Why Geothermal Lags Behind Wind & Solar Published on Alphaxioms Geothermal Insghts   Date: [February 26, 2026]   By Robert Buluma In a detailed email interview, Trevor Atkinson, Research Scientist in Geothermal Energy and Subsurface Systems at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) , shares candid perspectives on the field's priorities, breakthroughs, barriers, and potential. His work focuses on subsurface characterization, reactive-transport modeling, AI optimization, and integrating geothermal with critical mineral recovery. 1. What is INL’s most important geothermal research priority today, and why?   Advancing Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS ) through physics-based modeling and AI-driven optimization. My research focuses on subsurface characterization and reactive-transport modeling, which are essential for predicting fluid–rock interactions and...