ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Alberta’s Phase Targets a Critical Geothermal Drilling Barrier With High-Temperature Sensors Alberta is using its deep oil-and-gas expertise to pursue a new opportunity beneath the surface: geothermal energy. Among the companies receiving support through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Drilling Technology Challenge is Edmonton-based Phase Advanced Sensor Systems Corp., which is developing a high-temperature downhole pressure sensor for enhanced geothermal systems. The project addresses a problem that could determine whether deep geothermal energy becomes commercially viable: operators need reliable, accurate information from wells exposed to extreme heat and pressure. Phase plans to demonstrate a sensor capable of operating at temperatures above 200°C, with testing planned at 200°C, 250°C and 275°C.  The project has a total value of approximately C$1.57 million, including C$420,000 in ERA funding, according to Alberta’s project information.  Dealroom reported the award as approx...

Unlocking the Impermeable Reservoir: Lessons from a 30-Year Reservoir Engineer An Alphaxioms interview with Richard Joseph Holt, Principal Consultant in Reservoir Engineering at RESPEC . Context: Menengai East and Olkaria Central. Every geothermal developer knows the moment.  The rig is gone and the money is spent. The well is drilled to depth, the temperature is there, and then the well will not flow. The heat is real, but the connection between the well and the reservoir is not. Wells like this sit at the centre of one of the most important questions in geothermal development: what do you do with a tight reservoir? Walk away and drill again, or find a way to unlock what is already there? To explore the question, Alphaxioms spoke with Richard Joseph Holt, Principal Consultant in Reservoir Engineering at RESPEC . Richard brings 30 years of global experience in geothermal energy.  We framed our questions around two settings, Menengai East and Olkaria Central, and asked him how ...

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...

Fervo Energy’s Cape Station Reaches Commercial Operation: What the Milestone Means for Next‑Generation Geothermal On October 1, 2026, Fervo Energy announced that its first GeoBlock at Cape Station in Beaver County, Utah, reached contractual commercial operation , achieving 33 MW net and beginning revenue under a power purchase agreement (PPA). The declaration , reached one day ahead of the contractual commercial operation date after grid synchronization on September 24 , marks an important moment for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) : a greenfield, first‑of‑a‑kind development moving from construction into contracted revenue. This article explains the technical approach Fervo used, evaluates performance and schedule claims, examines cost and scalability implications, places the project in the competitive market context, and summarizes key risks investors and industry watchers should track. What Fervo built: GeoBlocks and the Cape Station design Fervo’s project architecture centers on ...

El Salvador Advances Tender for Integrated Drilling Services for Eight Geothermal Wells in Chinameca El Salvador is preparing a major geothermal drilling campaign at the Chinameca geothermal field, where state-owned developer LaGeo plans to procure integrated drilling services for up to eight deep geothermal wells. The tender forms part of a wider programme designed to confirm the field’s underground resource, secure steam for a new power plant and expand the country’s renewable electricity generation capacity. The planned contract is expected to cover drilling services, materials, accessories, casing and pipes, together with complementary services required to complete the wells. LaGeo has already initiated early market engagement to obtain feedback from potential contractors before launching the formal procurement process.  The Chinameca campaign is supported through the World Bank-financed El Salvador Geothermal Energy for Sustainable and Inclusive Development Project. The broade...