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Quaise Energy’s Project Obsidian in Oregon: The World’s First Commercial Superhot Geothermal Plant

The New Energy Frontier: Quaise Energy’s Superhot Geothermal Gambit in Oregon By Alphaxioms Editorial Team | September 4, 2026 In the high desert of Central Oregon, a project with implications far beyond Deschutes County is taking shape. Quaise Energy, now backed by a total of $280 million in funding, is advancing Project Obsidian, which it describes as the world’s first commercial superhot geothermal power plant . The company says the first phase is designed to deliver 50 MW by 2030, with a pathway toward 250 MW and ultimately more than 1 GW . Before the first megawatt reaches the grid, however, the project faces a local policy test: whether Deschutes County should grant a five-year property tax abatement under Oregon’s Rural Renewable Energy Development Zone Program. That decision is more than a routine incentive request. It is a referendum on how rural counties choose to support next-generation energy infrastructure and whether older incentive frameworks can accommodate a technolog...

Ceraphi-Led Geothermal and Green Hydrogen Innovation: Sustainable Baseload Power, Low-Carbon Heating and Cooling, and Research Partnerships with Leading Climate and Energy Institutes

A pioneering hydrogen storage project in North Yorkshire has secured £500,000 from Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund, positioning the retired Knapton power station at the heart of a new “green energy hub” for flexible, low-carbon power generation. By: Robert Buluma Image: Ceraphi Well Pad With a Rig, Dril baby drill The Knapton power station in the Vale of Pickering stopped generating electricity in 2019 and was later acquired by Centrica in 2023. Centrica’s vision is to repurpose this former gas-fired plant into a green energy hub that can support low-carbon peaking power stations—facilities that only run when electricity demand and prices surge. This shift reflects a broader UK trend: instead of building entirely new sites, companies are reusing existing infrastructure to accelerate the energy transition while reducing costs and planning hurdles. This hasn't been the first we pointed out geological hydrogen as the next geothermal gem we saw this before of course companies are ...

Geothermal Data Centers: 24/7 Carbon‑Free Energy for AI, Cloud Computing, and Hyperscale Infrastructure

Geothermal Data Centers: How Earth’s Heat Is Powering the AI and Cloud Computing Boom AI training, hyperscale cloud platforms, and edge computing are driving an unprecedented surge in data center electricity demand. Operators now face a triple challenge: securing reliable power, meeting aggressive net‑zero targets, and overcoming grid constraints that delay new capacity. Solar and wind are essential but intermittent, which makes it difficult to guarantee the 24/7 uptime and predictable pricing that AI and cloud workloads require. Geothermal‑powered data centers offer a compelling alternative: firm, always‑on, low‑carbon energy drawn directly from the earth’s heat. Why Geothermal Energy Matters for Modern Data Centers Data centers never sleep—and neither does their electricity demand. As AI models scale and cloud services expand, power consumption becomes both a technical and strategic bottleneck, shaping where and how fast digital infrastructure can grow. Geothermal energy stands out b...

US Backs Advanced Chips for Faster Geothermal Drilling and Energy Security

US Backs Next-Gen Chips to Speed Geothermal Drilling and Boost Energy Security By: Robert Buluma A strategic bet on energy and chips The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded I-Pulse $250 million under the CHIPS Research and Development program to accelerate advanced semiconductor technologies with applications in geothermal drilling, manufacturing, mining, and defense . The award reflects a broader push to strengthen domestic semiconductor capability while supporting energy security and industrial resilience . At the center of the project is a set of high-temperature silicon carbide semiconductor components and pulsed power systems designed to work in extreme environments. Those conditions matter because the same technology that can survive heat, pressure, and shock in drilling and defense can also help reduce reliance on foreign chip supply chains. Why geothermal drilling is so hard   Geothermal energy has long promised reliable, around-the-clock clean power, but drilling dee...

NYC High-Rise Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Green Building Laws, Clean Energy, and Sustainable Urban Decarbonization

How an NYC High-Rise Is Keeping Cool With Geothermal Energy (And Heating Up a New Era for Cities By: Robert Buluma   Image: The entrance to 555 Greenwich St. in Manhattan's Hudson Square neighborhood (Matt Ritchie) On a sweltering Manhattan afternoon, most office towers battle the heat with roaring chillers and aging boilers that guzzle fossil fuels.  But at 345 Hudson Street, a glass-and-steel high-rise is quietly doing something radical: it’s using the Earth itself as a battery to stay cool in summer and warm in winter — without burning a single molecule of gas on-site. This isn’t just a clever engineering trick; it’s a glimpse of how cities like New York can reinvent their skylines in the age of climate change.  Why an NYC Office Tower Needed a New Way to Stay Cool New York City has given its big buildings a tough ultimatum: cut carbon emissions or start paying hefty fines under Local Law 97. [3][4] Office towers, with their endless HVAC systems, are among the worst of...

Deep Geothermal Powering Graz: How OMV and Energie Steiermark’s “Tiefenkraft” Project Is Transforming District Heating

Deep geothermal energy is quietly becoming one of Europe’s most powerful tools for decarbonizing heat, and the new “Tiefenkraft” project by OMV and Energie Steiermark in the Graz region shows exactly why it matters – and how it will work in practice. By: Robert Buluma Why Deep Geothermal Matters Now Across Europe, the heat transition has become the missing piece of the climate puzzle: electricity is decarbonizing fast, but buildings still rely heavily on fossil fuels for heating. District heating systems offer a way to decarbonize entire cities at once, and geothermal energy is uniquely suited because it delivers constant, weather-independent heat. In Graz and Styria, the deep geothermal potential of the subsurface is now being tapped at scale, promising a regional, climate-friendly heat supply that can run 24/7 for decades. The “Tiefenkraft” Project At A Glance “Tiefenkraft” is the name of a joint deep geothermal initiative by OMV and Energie Steiermark focused on the greater Gra...

Geothermal Breakthrough in Henan: China’s Deep Earth Clean Energy, Record‑Breaking Connection Wells and High‑Efficiency District Heating

Breaking Through the Deep Earth: China’s Record‑Breaking Geothermal Connection Wells in Henan By: Robert Buluma China is quietly rewriting the rules of clean heating—and one of the most exciting breakthroughs is happening deep underground in Henan Province. Two seemingly ordinary wells, drilled only 35 meters apart at the surface, are reshaping how cities can tap geothermal energy safely, efficiently, and at scale. If you care about clean energy, smart engineering, or how future cities will stay warm without burning fossil fuels, this story is worth your full attention. In this article, we’ll walk through what happened in Henan, why it matters technically and economically, and what it might mean for the rest of the world. A New National Record in Deep Geothermal Recently, in Henan Province, China, the first pair of deep geothermal “connection wells” for the Zhongyuan Agricultural Valley Clean‑Energy Central Heating Phase II Project was successfully completed. These wells are not just a...

OMV and Wien Energie’s Vienna Geothermal Tests Exceed Expectations, Boosting Clean District Heating Potential

OMV and Wien Energie’s Deep Geothermal Breakthrough in Vienna Signals a New Era for Urban District Heating By: Robert Buluma Image : Vienna  Vienna’s energy transition just took a major step forward, and it came from deep underground. At the Aspern site in the Austrian capital, OMV and Wien Energie have reported that their deep geothermal tests exceeded expectations, producing hotter water and stronger output than originally forecast. The results do more than validate a promising project; they strengthen the case for geothermal energy as a serious solution for urban district heating, climate action, and long-term energy security in dense European cities. What makes this development notable is not just the temperature of the water or the technical success of the tests, but what those numbers imply for Vienna’s future. The city is working to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels while expanding clean heating options for households. Deep geothermal energy, unlike weather-dependent...

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Neptune Energy’s Altmark Lithium Pilot Phase II Advances Adsorption-Based DLE for European Battery Supply

Neptune Energy launches Pilot Phase II for lithium extraction in the Altmark: paving the way for European battery supply Neptune Energy has begun the second pilot phase of its Altmark Lithium Extraction Project (ALE). After a broad evaluation of  Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technologies in pilot phase I, the company is now focusing on an adsorption process and testing various adsorbent materials together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies (IEG). The project aims to recover lithium from thermal deep groundwater in northern Saxony-Anhalt economically and with environmental safeguards , a step toward regional supply chains for battery raw materials in Europe. Project status and technical objectives A project-related resource of around 43 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) has been identified in the Altmark. The lithium is dissolved in thermal water at depths between approximately 3,000 and 4,000 metres. Neptune Energy...

Chevron Seeks Buyer for Lampung Geothermal Project Stake in Indonesia

Chevron seeks buyer for Lampung geothermal stake Chevron is reportedly looking for a buyer for its stake in the Lampung geothermal project, a move that could reshape one of Indonesia’s more closely watched geothermal developments. The asset is tied to PT Cahaya Anagata Energy, the joint venture formed by Chevron and Pertamina Geothermal Energy to develop the Way Ratai geothermal working area in Lampung. That headline matters because Lampung is not just another exploration block. It sits inside Indonesia’s wider push to expand geothermal power, one of the country’s most important clean-energy resources, while also reflecting Chevron’s long-running pattern of portfolio rotation in the geothermal sector. Why the Lampung asset matters The project in question is the Way Ratai geothermal working area in Lampung, where Chevron and Pertamina Geothermal Energy agreed to cooperate through a new local entity. Pertamina Geothermal Energy’s project page identifies the site as Wai Ratai, reinforci...

Wippolderlaan Geothermal Project Confirms 85 Degrees After Well Test

Wippolderlaan Geothermal Project Confirms 85 Degrees in Deep Reservoir Aardwarmte Wippolderlaan has completed drilling and testing its two geothermal wells, and the results are encouraging: the reservoir temperature reached 85 degrees at about 2,200 meters deep, confirming the project’s subsurface expectations and moving the scheme into its next development phase. The well test also showed that the reservoir’s geological quality is good, while the project now shifts toward surface-plant construction and eventual heat delivery by mid-2028. Test phase delivers positive results The latest milestone for Aardwarmte Wippolderlaan was a full well test designed to assess how the geothermal source performs under real conditions. The wells were extensively tested after drilling, and the measured temperature of 85 degrees at reservoir depth aligned with the project team’s expectations. This matters because geothermal projects depend not only on reaching hot water, but also on confirming that the ...

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...

Texas GLO Geothermal Energy Development Opportunities for Renewable Power

  Texas GLO Seeks Geothermal Development Input as Texas Opens New Frontier for Geothermal Energy Image : This image appears to show a pilot geothermal energy production facility retrofitted onto an existing oil and gas well site, utilizing Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology to generate clean electricity from subsurface heat Texas is already one of the world's most important energy markets, but a new initiative from the Texas General Land Office (GLO) could help establish another major chapter in the state's energy story: geothermal energy . On August 28, 2026, the Texas General Land Office issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking industry feedback on geothermal exploration and development opportunities on GLO-owned surface lands. Responses are due by December 10, 2026 . The RFI is more than a request for technical comments. It represents an early signal that Texas is evaluating how its public lands could participate in the emerging geothermal economy. By seeking i...

UPLIFT Project: Advancing Safe Enhanced Geothermal Systems in Europe

UPLIFT Project: Advancing Safe and Efficient Enhanced Geothermal Systems in Europe Image:The UPLIFT consortium at the project kick-off meeting in Potsdam, Germany, 8–9 June 2026. Europe has launched a new research initiative focused on unlocking heat from deep, hot, and low-permeability rocks. Known as UPLIFT“Unlocking Petrothermal Lithologies through Innovative Fracture Technologies”—the four-year Horizon Europe project will develop and demonstrate safer, more efficient, and more socially acceptable  Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). Running from May 2026 to April 2030, UPLIFT will conduct a field-scale demonstration at the RINGEN geothermal research site in Litoměřice, Czechia. The project brings together eight partners from five European countries to address some of the most difficult challenges facing deep geothermal energy, including high drilling costs, low reservoir productivity, induced seismicity, stimulation efficiency, and public acceptance.  The project could beco...

Oil and Gas Giants Pivot to Geothermal: Investments, Drilling Expertise, Enhanced Systems, Repurposing Wells

Oil and Gas Companies Entering the Geothermal Energy Industry Oil and gas companies are becoming increasingly active in geothermal energy. Their involvement includes direct project development, investment in geothermal startups, drilling and well services, engineering, equipment manufacturing, subsurface studies, geothermal heating, and the conversion of abandoned or nonproductive oil and gas wells. At least 80 oil and gas companies have some form of participation in the geothermal sector. When major oil companies, national oil companies, oilfield-service providers, drilling contractors, engineering firms, geoscience companies, equipment manufacturers, investors, and technology startups are included, the number can reasonably exceed 100. This shift is one of the most important developments in the modern geothermal industry. Oil and gas companies already possess many of the skills required to develop geothermal resources, including geological interpretation, seismic imaging, reservoir m...

OGDCL, Pinstech join hands to unlock Pakistan’s lithium potential from geothermal brines

A strategic milestone for Pakistan’s critical minerals strategy Image : A Thematic image of a Geothermal Project  Pakistan’s Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has confirmed a high‑grade lithium occurrence in geothermal brine from the Wahid Bakhsh well in Khairpur, Sindh , and moved quickly to partner with the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (Pinstech) to develop indigenous extraction technology.  The discovery, reporting 275 mg/L lithium in produced formation water, sits well above the commonly cited 90 mg/L commercial threshold used internationally for geothermal brine projects. This article examines the technical significance, commercial pathways, environmental advantages, risks and next steps for investors and industrial stakeholders. Why this discovery matters Strategic mineral importance: Lithium is central to lithium‑ion batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs), grid storage, consumer electronics and numerous industrial applicatio...

Burghausen geothermal district heating: €27M investment drives municipal climate-neutral heat transition and resilience

Burghausen Approves Geothermal District Heating: A €27 Million Bet on Climate-Neutral Urban Heat The town of Burghausen has taken a decisive step toward a low-carbon heating future. On 6 August 2026 the supervisory board and shareholder meeting of Energieversorgung Burghausen GmbH (EBG) — jointly owned by the city of Burghausen and Energie Südbayern (ESB) — unanimously approved the implementation of a geothermal district heating project. With an investment envelope of roughly €27 million and plans for heat transport over approximately 10 kilometres from the Naturwärme Kirchweidach-Halsbach production site, the project aims to deliver climate-neutral heat to local households, public buildings and businesses, and to position Burghausen as a regional model for municipal heat transition. This article explains the technical concept, the economics and financing pathway, expected timeline and benefits, potential risks and mitigation strategies, and the wider policy and market context that mak...

Idle GDC Drilling Machines Put Sh15bn Investment Into Question

Idle GDC drilling machines put Sh15bn investment into question Image: A GDC Owned Geothermal Rig Kenya’s geothermal ambitions have long been presented as one of the country’s strongest energy success stories. Yet a fresh audit report has exposed a costly weakness inside the Geothermal Development Company , where drilling rigs worth Sh15.93 billion have raised hard questions about value for money, asset management, and the future pace of geothermal expansion. The issue is not simply that machines are sitting idle. It is that these machines were bought for a strategic purpose: to drill wells, unlock steam, and help Kenya expand one of its cleanest and most reliable sources of power. When such expensive equipment remains unused for years, the problem goes far beyond maintenance. It points to a breakdown in planning, operations, oversight, and financial discipline. For a country that relies heavily on geothermal energy to stabilise electricity supply, the implications are serious. Every id...