Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from April 19, 2026

Just In

Ijen vs Zanskar: Blind Geothermal Energy Discovery and Development

Ijen’s Blind Geothermal System vs. Zanskar’s AI-Discovered Resources: Two Models for Finding Hidden Heat The geothermal industry is entering a new phase in which the most valuable resources may no longer be the fields marked by obvious hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, or steaming ground. Increasingly, developers are targeting “blind” or hidden geothermal systems,reservoirs that lack clear surface expressions but can still contain the temperature, permeability, and fluid needed for commercial power generation. Two examples illustrate how different parts of the industry are approaching this challenge. In Indonesia, the Blawan-Ijen geothermal field in East Java was developed through geological interpretation, magnetotelluric imaging, conceptual modelling, and drilling. The project is now operating commercially, with its first phase delivering approximately 35 MW to the Java grid under a 30-year power purchase agreement.  In the United States, Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals is using...

Engie advances geothermal exploration for Réunion Island energy independence

Engie’s Geothermal Ambitions in Réunion Island: A Turning Point for Energy Independence in Volcanic Territories By: Robert Buluma In a world increasingly defined by the urgency of energy transition, remote island territories stand at the frontline of both vulnerability and opportunity. The recent move by to secure a geothermal exploration permit in marks more than just another project milestone—it signals a potential transformation in how isolated regions harness their natural resources to break free from fossil fuel dependency. This development, centered in the Cafres-Palmistes highlands, is not merely about drilling wells or building a power plant. It is about unlocking the immense geothermal promise hidden beneath volcanic landscapes, navigating environmental sensitivities, and setting a precedent for sustainable energy in island economies worldwide. A Strategic Foothold in Volcanic Terrain Réunion Island, located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, is a geological marvel...

Project Obsidian: Unlocking Superhot Geothermal Power from Deep Earth

Quaise Energy and the Dawn of Superhot Geothermal Power in Oregon By: Robert Buluma Inside Project Obsidian and the Future of Deep Earth Energy The global energy transition has long been defined by solar panels on rooftops, wind turbines across plains, and batteries reshaping grids. Yet beneath all these familiar technologies, another contender is quietly emerging—one that does not depend on weather, daylight, or even surface conditions at all. It comes from deep within the Earth itself, from rock so hot it behaves almost like a molten energy reservoir. That is the frontier where Quaise Energy is now operating. In Oregon, the company is developing what could become the world’s first superhot geothermal power plant under its ambitious initiative known as Project Obsidian . If successful, it could mark a fundamental shift in how humanity produces clean, continuous electricity—moving from shallow geothermal pockets to tapping heat sources several kilometers beneath the Earth’s surfac...

Vulcan–Mersen Alliance Signals a New Era for Lithium and Geothermal Integration

Vulcan – Mersen Alliance Signals a New Era for Lithium and Geothermal Integration By: Robert Buluma In a world racing toward electrification, the battle for critical minerals is intensifying. Lithium, the backbone of modern batteries, has become one of the most strategically important resources of the 21st century. But while demand surges, so does scrutiny—over sustainability, supply chains, and environmental impact. Against this backdrop, a significant development has emerged: has signed a key supply agreement with for its flagship Lionheart project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. At first glance, this may look like a standard industrial supply deal. It is anything but. This agreement represents a deeper shift—one where lithium production, geothermal energy, chemical engineering, and circular industrial design converge into a single, integrated system. The Lionheart Vision: Lithium Without the Carbon Cost The Lionheart Project, located in the , is one of the most ambitious li...

Vermont Geothermal Project Signals New Era for Affordable Clean Housing

Vermont’s Neighborhood Geothermal Breakthrough Could Redefine Clean Housing In the quiet town of Hinesburg, Vermont, a modest housing development is preparing to do something profoundly disruptive. It isn’t a megaproject. It doesn’t boast gigawatts of capacity or billion-dollar budgets. Yet what is about to break ground could quietly reshape how entire communities heat and cool their homes—not just in the United States, but globally. At the center of this transformation is a neighborhood-scale geothermal system, a concept that is steadily evolving from niche innovation into a cornerstone of decarbonized living. The Riggs Meadow development, spearheaded by Champlain Housing Trust in partnership with Evernorth and Vermont Gas Systems, represents a turning point in how clean energy integrates with affordable housing. This is not just a project. It is a signal. A Quiet Revolution Beneath the Surface Unlike solar panels or wind turbines, geothermal systems operate largely out of sight...

When Siemens Bets Big, Geothermal's Industrial Era Begins

Siemens and Vulcan Energy : The Automation Backbone of Europe's Geothermal Lithium Revolution By Alphaxioms Geothermal Insights | April 2026 Image: The Vulcan Geothermal Lionheart Field   On 20 April 2026, Vulcan Energy Resources (ASX: VUL, FSE: VUL) announced the signing of a circa €40 million framework agreement with Siemens AG, appointing the German industrial giant as Main Automation Contractor (MAC) for its flagship Lionheart Project in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley. This announcement, which Vulcan describes as the final major supply agreement for Lionheart, deserves far more analytical attention than a routine procurement notice. It is, in fact, a milestone that illuminates the trajectory of geothermal energy as an industrial foundation not merely a power source  and carries instructive lessons for geothermal developers across every active rift zone on the planet, including the East African Rift Valley. What Lionheart Actually Is To understand the significance of the ...

SCAN Drilling Campaign Maps Netherlands Geothermal Energy Potential Successfully

SCAN Drilling Campaign Completed: Unlocking Geothermal Potential Across the Netherlands The completion of the SCAN drilling campaign marks a defining moment in the Netherlands’ journey toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Spanning over two years—from October 2023 to December 2025—the ambitious program delivered eight strategically placed exploratory wells across the country. What began as a mission to better understand the Dutch subsurface has now evolved into a cornerstone for the next generation of geothermal energy development. This campaign was never just about drilling wells. It was about answering one fundamental question: where, and to what extent, can geothermal energy be harnessed effectively in the Netherlands? With the operational phase now complete, the results are not only promising but transformative, offering clarity where uncertainty once dominated. A Nationwide Effort to Decode the Subsurface The SCAN program covered approximately half of the Netherla...

Popular posts from this blog

Kaishan Targets 2 GW Kenya Geothermal Development Across Five Fields

Kaishan Targets 2 GW of Geothermal Development Across Kenya Kenya's geothermal sector has opened a potentially significant new chapter after Kaishan Group and the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) signed a collaboration framework agreement covering five geothermal blocks in the East African Rift Valley. Signed in Nairobi on September 14, 2026 , the agreement establishes a framework for the two parties to explore potential joint development of Silali, Paka, Korosi, Baringo and Suswa . According to Kaishan, the five areas have potential to support approximately 2 GW of installed geothermal capacity . The headline figure is substantial, but it is important to distinguish between resource potential and committed generation capacity . The framework agreement is non-binding. The parties will first conduct due diligence, assess the resources and negotiate development plans before potentially signing separate binding agreements for individual geothermal blocks. The development coul...

Jicarilla Apache Geothermal Study Wins $2.5 Million Grant

Jicarilla Apache Nation Launches $2.5 Million Geothermal Feasibility Study The Jicarilla Apache Nation in northern New Mexico has launched a major investigation into its geothermal energy potential after receiving a $2.5 million grant from the State of New Mexico. The funding will support a detailed feasibility study examining whether underground heat resources on tribal lands could be developed for electricity generation, direct heating, or other energy applications. The initiative represents an important step in the Nation’s efforts to understand and diversify its energy resources. Although the Jicarilla Apache Nation has not yet committed to building a geothermal facility, the study could provide the geological, technical, and economic information required for future investment decisions. The project is particularly significant because the Nation already has extensive experience with subsurface exploration through its oil and gas activities. Existing geological records, drilling inf...

France Geothermal Energy 2026: Heating, Power, Policy, Investment Growth

France's geothermal sector is at a crossroads. The country is Europe's undisputed leader in deep geothermal district heating, with the Paris Basin hosting the world's largest concentration of deep geothermal systems.  Yet geothermal still supplies only 1% of France's final heat consumption, and the Court of Auditors has warned that current ambitions are "unrealistic" without structural reform. ⚡ Deep Geothermal (Power Generation): Marginal Output, Major Potential Untapped France's geothermal power generation remains almost negligible. As of 2026, only two plants produce electricity: the Bouillante plant in Guadeloupe (15.5 MW) and the Soultz-sous-Forêt EGS pilot in Alsace (1.7 MW).  Total geothermal electricity production capacity was approximately 17.17 MW in 2023, forecast to reach just 19.47 MW by 2028. The Bouillante plant is set to double its production with a third unit scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2026, making it an exemplary model for ...

Next-Gen Geothermal Funding 2026: VCs, Banks, Government Capital

Who Is Really Funding Next-Gen Geothermal in 2026? Next-generation geothermal has moved beyond laboratory research into a capital-intensive commercialization phase. In 2026, the most important financing is no longer coming from one investor category: venture capital funds are financing drilling, subsurface modelling and hardware; strategic energy companies are providing equipment, project access and market credibility; banks are beginning to lend against contracted projects; and governments are absorbing exploration and first-of-a-kind technology risk. The strongest financing activity is concentrated in the United States and Canada, but Europe is becoming increasingly important through Germany-based deployment, European Union grants, UK innovation support, and strategic participation from European energy companies. The central investment question is changing from “Can this technology work?” to “Can the developer deliver repeatable, financeable projects at commercial cost?” The 2026 fun...

Billionaire Families Bet on Advanced Geothermal Energy Investments

Billionaire Geothermal Families Bet on Geothermal Billionaire families and private investment offices are placing increasingly large bets on geothermal energy, especially on technologies designed to make the resource available in more locations. Their investments are helping finance enhanced geothermal systems, advanced drilling, closed-loop designs, and other approaches that could transform geothermal from a regionally concentrated power source into a globally scalable clean-energy industry. The investment surge reflects a broader change in the energy market. Electricity demand is rising because of artificial intelligence, data centers, industrial electrification, electric vehicles, and the expansion of digital infrastructure. At the same time, utilities and large corporations need power that is reliable around the clock. Solar and wind remain essential to the clean-energy transition, but their output varies with weather and time of day. Geothermal could complement these technologies ...

UOS Exploration Drilling Advances Next-Generation Geothermal Development

Września GT-1: Poland Begins a New Geothermal Drilling Project for Local Heat Poland is moving another step toward expanding geothermal energy as a local heat source, with drilling now underway on the Września GT-1 geothermal exploration well in Greater Poland. The project, being carried out in Września, is designed to determine whether underground thermal water can provide a sufficiently reliable resource for the municipality's heating system. The planned well is expected to reach approximately 1,460 metres , with preliminary estimates indicating thermal water temperatures of around 53–54°C and a potential production rate of at least 250 m³/h . The project is being supported financially by Poland's National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) and forms part of a wider national programme supporting geothermal exploration across Poland. For Września, however, the drilling campaign is about more than simply finding hot water. The results could d...

Global Geothermal Investment 2026: 15 High-Growth Markets

Global Geothermal Investment 2026: 15 Markets Where Developers Should Look Next Geothermal energy is entering its most investable decade yet, with developers, drilling contractors, turbine suppliers and private capital providers scanning a widening map of opportunities beyond the traditional “big five” producers.  This article profiles 15 markets where project pipelines, policy signals, resource quality and technology readiness converge to create compelling entry points in 2026 and beyond.  Why 2026 Is a Turning Point for Geothermal Capital Global geothermal investment is accelerating as governments seek firm, low‑carbon baseload to back up variable wind and solar, while advanced drilling and subsurface engineering lower costs and expand the resource base. Market analysts project the geothermal energy market to reach roughly USD 13.56 billion by 2030, up from about USD 9.81 billion in 2025, implying sustained double‑digit growth in development spend. Capital is flowing not onl...

Geothermal Funding, August ,September 2027 With Intelligence into 2028

Geothermal Funding in August and September 2027: Investment Outlook and Intelligence Into 2028 Geothermal funding in August and September 2027 is likely to focus on projects that can demonstrate commercial resource potential, credible drilling plans, secure offtake, and a clear path to construction. The market will increasingly move beyond broad technology experimentation toward financeable geothermal assets supported by government grants, development-finance institutions, strategic investors, utilities, and corporate power buyers. The most significant investment themes will likely include enhanced geothermal systems , exploration drilling, closed-loop geothermal , data-center power supply, conventional geothermal expansion in East Africa, and blended finance for emerging markets. By 2028, investors are expected to distinguish more sharply between companies with proven technical performance and those still dependent on laboratory results or unconfirmed resource estimates. The 2027 Fun...

Aulnay-sous-Bois Advances Geothermal Heating Project After 2,000m Drilling

Aulnay-sous-Bois Advances Its Geothermal Heating Project After Completing 2,000-Metre Drilling Aulnay-sous-Bois, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department of France’s Île-de-France region, has reached an important milestone in the development of its local geothermal heating network. After approximately four months of work, drilling for the city’s geothermal project was completed during the summer of 2026. The well reaches nearly 2,000 metres beneath the surface, where the project will access the Dogger aquifer. At this depth, naturally occurring geothermal water reaches temperatures of approximately 70°C. Once the facility becomes operational, the heat extracted from the aquifer is expected to supply most of the energy required by Aulnay-sous-Bois’s district heating network. The project is scheduled to enter service before the end of 2026. According to Groupe Coriance, the geothermal system is expected to cover 93% of the network’s requirements, produce approximately 140 GWh of heat each yea...

Vercana Electric Rig Advances Geothermal Brine Lithium Extraction Economics

Electric-Rig Direct Lithium Extraction From Geothermal Brine: The Economics of Vercana Versus Ormat Vulcan Energy Resources is pursuing an integrated model that combines geothermal drilling, direct lithium extraction, renewable electricity and industrial heat. Through its Vercana subsidiary, the company is also using electric drilling equipment designed to support the development of its Lionheart project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. The approach differs from the conventional geothermal model represented by Ormat Technologies, whose core business remains geothermal power generation, equipment, project development and energy storage rather than commercial lithium recovery from geothermal brine.  The economic question is broader than whether an electric drilling rig costs less to operate than a diesel rig. The more important issue is whether electric drilling, geothermal energy and direct lithium extraction can create a more valuable integrated project than a conventional geotherm...