Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from March 15, 2026

Just In

BLM Utah 2026 Geothermal Lease Sale Opens New Energy Opportunities

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
BLM Utah 2026 Geothermal Lease Sale: What It Means for U.S. Geothermal Development The Bureau of Land Management’s Utah 2026 Geothermal Lease Sale is a significant signal for the next phase of U.S. geothermal development. As federal agencies continue to prioritize renewable energy on public lands, this project highlights both the practical mechanics of geothermal leasing and the broader policy direction supporting domestic clean energy expansion. For developers, investors, land managers, and energy analysts, the sale offers an important case study in how geothermal projects move from planning into commercial opportunity. Geothermal energy has long been one of the most promising yet underutilized renewable resources in the United States. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal can provide steady baseload power regardless of weather or time of day. That makes it especially valuable in power systems that need reliability, grid stability, and long-duration decarbonization. A lease sale like the ...
Post a Comment
Read More »

“Why Are Cities Still Expensive When Boise Found This?”

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
  Boise’s $1 Million Geothermal Breakthrough: A Bold Step Toward Affordable Clean Heating By:  Robert Buluma A City Turning Underground Heat Into Housing Solutions In the global race to build cleaner, more affordable cities, innovation often emerges from unexpected places. One such place is Boise, Idaho, a community already known for its pioneering use of geothermal heating. In early 2026, Boise captured international attention after winning a $1 million grant through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, a global competition that rewards cities developing groundbreaking solutions to pressing urban problems. The recognition was not simply about technological innovation. Boise’s winning proposal demonstrated how geothermal energy can be used to reduce the cost of living , specifically by lowering utility bills for residents in affordable housing developments. With the award, Boise now plans to build a new apartment complex powered by geothermal heating—potentially ...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Mercury Opens Fifth Unit at Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Station

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Mercury New Zealand' s recent milestone at the Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Station marks a significant advancement in the country's push toward a sustainable, renewable energy future.  By :  Robert Buluma On March 17, 2026, Mercury officially opened the fifth generation unit at the station near Taupō, following the project's announcement in 2023, groundbreaking in 2024, and remarkably swift completion in under two years. This $220 million expansion enhances New Zealand's renewable energy capacity at a time when electricity demand is rising due to electrification trends, population growth, and economic needs. Background on Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Station Located about 17 km northeast of Taupō in the central North Island, Ngā Tamariki has been operational since 2013. The station harnesses the region's abundant geothermal resources from the Taupō Volcanic Zone, one of the world's most active geothermal areas. Prior to the expansion, it featured four generation units w...
Post a Comment
Read More »

New Zealand's Geothermal Strategy: Doubling Energy Use by 2040

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
The Government of New Zealand has taken a significant step forward in its renewable energy journey with the release of the national geothermal strategy titled From the Ground Up By: Robert Buluma    A strategy to unlock New Zealand’s geothermal potential on March 17, 2026. This comprehensive plan, developed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), aims to dramatically expand the role of geothermal energy in the country's energy mix, regional development, and industrial sectors. At its core is an ambitious target: to double geothermal energy use by 2040. New Zealand is already a global leader in geothermal utilization. Geothermal resources currently supply around one-fifth of the nation's electricity, with installed capacity approaching or exceeding 1.3 GW in recent years. In 2024-2025 data, geothermal generation contributed roughly 8,741 GWh annually, representing about 18-20% of total electricity production. This makes it the second-largest renewable sou...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Vulcan Energy Secures Landmark Lithium Production Permit for Lionheart

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Vulcan Energy's Lionheart Project: A Groundbreaking Milestone in Sustainable Lithium Production for Europe By: Robert Buluma In a major development for Europe's push toward energy independence and green technology, Vulcan Energy Resources has secured its first lithium production permit for the flagship Lionheart Project. Announced recently, this license represents the first of its kind in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field and specifically in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The permit paves the way for commercial lithium extraction integrated with renewable geothermal energy, marking a pivotal step in building a domestic, low-carbon supply chain for critical raw materials. This achievement comes as the Lionheart Project is already fully funded and under active construction, following a substantial financing package and multiple prior regulatory approvals. With commercial production targeted for 2028, Vulcan Energy is positioning itself as a leader in sustainab...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Bipartisan STEAM Act Set to Unlock America’s Geothermal Potential

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
  Unleashing Geothermal Power: How the STEAM Act Could Transform U.S. Energy By: Robert Buluma The United States stands at a critical juncture in its energy history. While solar and wind power have seen remarkable growth over the past two decades, geothermal energy—an often-overlooked, 24/7 source of clean and reliable power—has yet to reach its full potential. That may soon change with the introduction of the Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms (STEAM) Act , a bipartisan bill introduced by Congresswomen Susie Lee (NV-03) and Celeste Maloy (UT-02) in the House of Representatives, with companion legislation in the Senate sponsored by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). This legislation aims to level the playing field for geothermal energy by cutting through bureaucratic red tape and giving geothermal developers similar rights and flexibility that the oil and gas industry has enjoyed for nearly two decades. For advocates of clean ener...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Germany Advances Geothermal Heating With Zukunftswärme M West Exploration License

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
  Zukunftswärme M West Secures Exploration License for Geothermal Energy By: Robert Buluma A New Chapter in Europe’s Geothermal Future Across the world, nations are racing to transition away from fossil fuels and toward cleaner, more reliable sources of energy. Among the most promising solutions is geothermal energy — the heat stored beneath the Earth’s crust. In Europe, where the push for energy independence has intensified following global energy crises, deep geothermal energy is emerging as a strategic pillar of sustainable heating systems. A significant milestone in this journey has recently been achieved in Germany. The project “Zukunftswärme M West” has officially received an exploration license (Aufsuchungserlaubnis) for geothermal energy development. This authorization marks a crucial step toward unlocking deep geothermal resources that could provide clean, climate-neutral heating for communities in the Munich metropolitan region. The announcement represents more than...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Popular posts from this blog

Plum IV and CTR’s Geothermal Critical Minerals Deal Takes Shape

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Plum Acquisition Corp. IV and  Controlled Thermal Resources Outline a Large-Scale Geothermal and Critical Minerals Platform Plum Acquisition Corp. IV (“Plum IV”) and Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc. (“CTR”) are moving toward a proposed business combination that would create a public company focused on one of the most ambitious geothermal and critical minerals developments in the United States. The combined entity is expected to trade on Nasdaq under the pro forma ticker CTRH, reflecting a platform built around clean baseload power, lithium recovery, and broader critical minerals production. The investor presentation dated August 2026 frames the transaction around CTR’s Hell’s Kitchen project in Imperial County, California, which is presented as a strategically positioned resource opportunity with energy, minerals, infrastructure, and permitting advantages.   At the center of the presentation is a clear message: this is not just a power project, and it is not j...
Post a Comment
Read More »

SECI Invites Geothermal Agencies for Resource Assessment and Power Development in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
SECI’s Geothermal EOI for Andaman & Nicobar Islands: What It Means for India’s Next Frontier in Clean Power The Solar Energy Corporation of India’s EOI for geothermal resource assessment and development in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a notable signal that India is widening its renewable-energy playbook beyond solar and wind. For developers, consultants, and investors, this tender is less about a single procurement and more about a strategic entry point into one of India’s most technically intriguing clean-energy frontiers. Why This EOI Matters SECI has published Tender ID SECI000268 under reference SECI/C&P/EOI/17/0003/26-27 for the “Identification and Capability Assessment of Agencies for Geothermal Resource Assessment, Exploration, Development, and Utilization of Geothermal Power Plant in UT of A&N Islands.” The document indicates that the initiative is meant to identify agencies with capability across geothermal resource assessment, exploration, development, and...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Iceland Drilling, Pertamina Strengthen Geothermal Super Hot Rock Collaboration

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Iceland Drilling and Pertamina Drilling Strengthen Geothermal Collaboration: A New Platform for Super Hot Rock Development The global geothermal industry is entering a period in which drilling capability, resource knowledge and international collaboration are becoming increasingly important. As countries look for reliable, low-carbon sources of electricity and heat, geothermal energy is moving beyond conventional developments toward more technically challenging resources, including deeper reservoirs and Super Hot Rock (SHR). A new collaboration between Iceland Drilling Company Ltd and Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia (PDSI) highlights this transition. In August 2026, Iceland Drilling and Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in geothermal drilling services. The agreement brings together two organisations from countries with exceptionally strong geothermal credentials: Iceland, with decade...
Post a Comment
Read More »

EGS Market Size and Investment Outlook

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Market Size and Investment Outlook to 2034 Enhanced Geothermal Systems are at an inflection point. For years, EGS sat in the “promising but pre‑commercial” category of clean technologies, constrained by drilling cost, subsurface risk, and limited policy attention. That picture is now changing as next‑generation geothermal developers raise larger rounds, sign serious offtake agreements, and move projects from concept to execution.   At the same time, global demand for firm, low‑carbon power is rising faster than conventional geothermal can supply. Thermal plants are retiring, grids need 24/7 clean electricity, and policymakers are discovering that weather‑dependent renewables cannot carry the entire load alone. EGS is emerging as one of the few technologies capable of delivering baseload clean power using a resource available almost everywhere: deep, hot rock. Current EGS Market Size – Small but Strategic In absolute terms, the EGS market is s...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Deep Geothermal Drilling Preparation for Renewable District Heating

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Deep Drilling Preparation for Geothermal Energy: The Erdwärme Breisgau Project The Erdwärme Breisgau geothermal project has received approval for its next phase, allowing Badenova and Herrenknecht to begin preparing a deep-drilling site near Hartheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The partners plan to invest approximately €60 million to explore a geothermal reservoir located around 3,200 metres underground and develop a heating plant for regional district heating.  Why Deep Drilling Matters for Geothermal Heating Deep geothermal energy can provide a stable, renewable source of heat for district-heating networks. Unlike solar and wind power, which depend on weather conditions, geothermal heating can operate continuously when the underground reservoir and surface infrastructure are technically and economically viable. The Erdwärme Breisgau project is designed to investigate a hot-water reservoir beneath the Hartheim area. The plan involves drilling two directional wells: one producti...
Post a Comment
Read More »

AFK Geothermie launches €65M dublette drilling to heat 1,200 homes

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
AFK Geothermie launches second dublette drilling in Aschheim , pathway to 1,200 geothermal heat connections Summary AFK Geothermie has begun preparing the drill site for a second deep geothermal dublette near Aschheim. Drilling is scheduled to start in November at depths up to 2,600 meters. The project aims to supply up to 1,200 residential connections in Aschheim, Feldkirchen and Kirchheim with district heating from January 2028, expanding an established field first tapped in 2008. Total investment is around €65 million, combining public grants, municipal contributions, company equity and long-term loans. Why this matters now The AFK project is a practical example of how municipal-scale geothermal systems move from demonstration to scale-up. As European policymakers push for decarbonized heating, replicable, well-financed geothermal projects that integrate with existing district heating networks are becoming critical. The Aschheim dublette highlights common technical, financial and ...
Post a Comment
Read More »

If You Had $1 Billion for Geothermal, Where Should You Invest?

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
If You Had $1 Billion for Geothermal in 2026, Where Wouldn’t You Invest? Image: A thematic image of a drilling rig on a geothermal, well pad Geothermal is becoming one of the most interesting corners of clean energy, but that does not mean every market deserves your capital. In 2026, the smartest geothermal investors are not asking where the hottest rocks are, they are asking where geology, contracts, policy, and execution line up well enough to justify real money. The real investment test If you had $1 billion to deploy in geothermal, you would not start with hype. You would start with bankability, because geothermal is a business of drilled wells, long timelines, heavy upfront costs, and a very unforgiving path from theory to cash flow. A project can look excellent on a resource map and still underperform badly if permitting drags, community consent is weak, tariffs are mispriced, or the grid cannot absorb the power. That is why this article focuses on where you would not put capita...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Geothermal heat pumps for universities: campus decarbonization, industrial heat pumps, and state grant funding

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Massachusetts’ $23M Push: How Geothermal, Industrial Heat Pumps and Efficiency Grants Can Transform Campus Decarbonization Image: MIT, Cambridge  Massachusetts’ recent award of approximately $23 million in decarbonization implementation grants to public universities and state facilities is more than a set of individual projects — it’s a practical blueprint for how public-sector institutions can accelerate fossil-fuel retirement, reduce operating costs, and scale up low-carbon heating technologies. The grant round, made through the Department of Energy Resources’ Leading by Example (LBE) Decarbonization Implementation Grant (DIG) program, funds a range of measures from campus-scale geothermal systems to industrial heat pumps, air-source heat pumps, building envelope upgrades, and rooftop solar. Together the projects demonstrate how targeted public investments can unlock larger capital programs, yield sizeable greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, and create replicable models for universi...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Geothermal Drilling Cost Per Well: U.S. and Global Benchmarks by Country

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Geothermal Drilling Cost Per Well: U.S. and Global Benchmarks by Country Geothermal drilling cost per well varies widely because no two projects face the same depth, geology, reservoir temperature, or drilling risk. In the United States and other major geothermal markets, costs can range from modest amounts for shallow residential boreholes to several million dollars for deep power-generation wells. A single “average” price is therefore misleading. The most useful way to understand geothermal drilling cost is to look at project type, depth, and country together, then compare those figures against the conditions that drive them. What A Geothermal Well Includes A geothermal well is more than a hole in the ground. It is a highly engineered underground asset that must be drilled, cased, cemented, tested, and often completed under demanding temperature and pressure conditions. For residential systems, the well or borehole is part of a ground-source heat pump loop field. For power projects, ...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Texas Geothermal Energy Growth: RRC Permits, Geopressured Storage, and Shallow Well Expansion in 2026

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Geothermal Energy Gains Ground in Texas Under RRC Leadership Texas is better known for oil and gas, but over the last three years the state has rapidly expanded its geothermal footprint under the regulatory oversight of the  Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) . From permitting deep geopressured wells for long-duration energy storage to a surge in shallow closed-loop ground-source systems used for heating and cooling, geothermal technologies are moving from pilot projects into commercial-scale development. The RRC’s transfer of geothermal jurisdiction from the  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in September 2023, combined with carefully calibrated rules and a permissive permitting pathway, have helped accelerate deployment while preserving environmental and safety safeguards. This article examines the technical and regulatory developments that underpin the growth of geothermal energy in Texas, assesses commercial opportunities and constraints, and outlines the o...
Post a Comment
Read More »