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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 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 lithium developments in...

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...

Indonesia Turns Geothermal Waste Heat Into Scalable Power

From Waste Heat to Power: Indonesia’s Lahendong Breakthrough and the Future of Geothermal Efficiency By: Robert Buluma In the global transition toward clean, resilient, and sustainable energy systems, geothermal power has consistently stood apart. Unlike solar or wind, it does not depend on weather conditions. Unlike fossil fuels, it does not emit significant greenhouse gases. It is stable, reliable, and—perhaps most importantly—immensely underutilized. Yet even within geothermal, a quiet inefficiency has persisted for decades: waste heat . Now, Indonesia is rewriting that narrative. A landmark agreement between  Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) ,  PLN Indonesia Power , and  Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) signals a pivotal shift—not just for Indonesia, but for the global geothermal sector. The trio has finalized electricity tariff terms for the Lahendong Bottoming Unit , a 15 MW geothermal expansion project that transforms previously wasted heat into usable electric...

From Energy Poverty to Power Independence: Enfield’s Geothermal Revolution

Tiny North Carolina Town Takes a Big Step Toward Geothermal Energy By: Robert Buluma In the quiet rural landscape of , a bold energy revolution is quietly taking shape. What appears to be just another small American town is, in reality, positioning itself at the forefront of a transformative clean-energy movement—one that could redefine how underserved communities access power, reduce costs, and build resilience. At the heart of this transformation is a nearly $300,000 seed grant secured by . This funding marks the first tangible step toward deploying a neighborhood-scale geothermal system—also known as a thermal energy network—that promises to deliver heating, cooling, and hot water without reliance on fossil fuels. A Vision Born from Necessity For decades, Enfield has struggled with high energy costs, aging infrastructure, and systemic underinvestment. Residents routinely face electricity bills that can soar to unsustainable levels, especially during extreme weather seasons. But u...