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Geothermal operator OMV chosen to expand Amsterdam district heating network

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Geothermal boost for Amsterdam: OMV and Cocreators selected to lead regional heat projects The Aardwarmte Regio Amsterdam consortium — made up of Vattenfall, the Municipality of Amsterdam and Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN) — has selected OMV, in collaboration with Cocreators, as the operator to advance geothermal projects for collective heat networks across the Amsterdam region. The decision, reached after a European tender process, brings an experienced international energy company and a project-management specialist together with local partners to test feasibility, design potential geothermy doublets and, where viable, develop and implement geothermal heat production for district heating systems. Why this matters Decarbonising heating is one of the most urgent and technically complex elements of the energy transition in dense European cities. In the Netherlands, where gas has historically supplied much of the built environment, scaling low-carbon alternatives for space heating and ho...
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Revolutionizing Renewable Energy: Texas Paves the Way for Closed-Loop Geothermal Innovation

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Pioneering the Future of Geothermal Energy: Texas Leads the Way with Closed-Loop Systems By: Robert Buluma Vallourec's closed loop concept North of Houston, a transformative geothermal initiative is reshaping the energy sector. NOV, a key player in drilling and completions technology, has successfully completed an 11,500-foot closed-loop geothermal test well, marking a significant step forward in renewable energy development. This project highlights the growing potential of closed-loop geothermal (CLG) systems to redefine energy production. Ejen it comes to Geothermal,Innovation and Technology is key and we have seen alot of new findings lately. Unlocking New Possibilities in Geothermal Energy Unlike conventional geothermal systems that rely on naturally occurring underground water sources, CLG technology operates using a sealed system. A specialized heat transfer fluid circulates through a continuous loop, absorbing heat from deep underground rock formations and transporting it to...
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Eavor and SLB Partners To Develop Eavor Loop Technology

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Eavor  & SLB : Unlocking a Revolution in Clean Energy Production By:  Robert Buluma Image: The SLB & Eavor Team at Geretsried Imagine a world where energy is not only clean but also consistent, dependable, and accessible worldwide. This vision is becoming a reality, thanks to an innovative partnership between  Eavor Technologies and  SLB (formerly Schlumberger). Together, they are pioneering a groundbreaking approach to harnessing renewable energy, promising to redefine how we produce and consume power and heat. At the heart of this collaboration lies Eavor 's revolutionary technology, the Eavor-Loop™, a closed-loop geothermal system that is unlike anything seen before. The partnership reached a critical milestone recently at Getesried, the home of the first commercial Eavor-Loop™, where the SLB and Eavor teams met to celebrate this transformative project. What Is the Eavor-Loop™? The Eavor -Loop™ is a closed-loop geothermal system that eliminates the tradi...
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Microsoft Campus To Heat and Cool Using Geothermal

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Microsoft  Redmond Campus Embraces Sustainable Future with Geothermal Innovation By: Robert Buluma In an era where climate change looms large, every step towards sustainability is a leap forward for humanity. Enter Microsoft's Redmond campus, where innovation meets environmental responsibility in a groundbreaking project set to redefine corporate sustainability standards. The crown jewel of this endeavor? The Geothermal Energy Center (TEC), a marvel of engineering designed to heat and cool millions of square feet of office space using geothermal energy—a virtually carbon-neutral solution that promises to revolutionize the way we think about corporate campuses. Picture this: a 6.5-acre geothermal well field, consisting of nearly 900 boreholes drilled up to 550 feet deep, quietly humming beneath the surface, delivering 50% of the campus's heating and cooling needs without emitting a single ounce of carbon. It's not just sustainable; it's a game-changer. But here's the...
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White Bark and Ceraphi Sign Head of Terms To Develop Australian Geothermal Energy

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Unveiling the Future of Renewable Energy: Whitebark Energy and CeraPhi Energy Join Forces By: Robert Buluma A Ceraphi drilling rig , image source Ceraphi  In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable energy solutions, Whitebark Energy Limited has forged a strategic partnership with international Geothermal Developer CeraPhi Energy. This collaboration signals a significant step forward in Australia's energy transition, particularly in the realm of geothermal power. Whitebark's recent acquisition of an exploration license application for Geothermal Energy (EPG) in the Greater Brisbane and Gold Coast Region sets the stage for a pioneering endeavor. Covering approximately 589 square kilometers, this tenement holds immense potential for the generation and sale of geothermal power, positioning Whitebark as a key player in the region's renewable energy landscape. Central to this partnership is CeraPhi Energy's cutting-edge technology, the CeraPhiWell™. This revolutionary close...
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KenGen To Utilize Greenfire Closed Loop Technology In It's Geothermal Fields

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
KenGen Embraces Greenfire Closed-Loop Technology: A Leap Towards Sustainable Energy in Kenya By: Robert Buluma The Carlifornia Geysers where Greenfire Energy closed loop it's steam dominated green technology image by Calpine Corporation  In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability, KenGen, Kenya's leading energy producer, recently embarked on a journey of innovation by implementing Greenfire closed-loop technology in its fields. This transformative step signifies a pivotal moment in Kenya's energy landscape, promising not only increased efficiency but also a significant reduction in environmental impact. Nestled within the heart of Oklahoma City lies the Baker Hughes innovation center, where KenGen's executives recently embarked on a journey of discovery. Amidst the cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking innovations, they found the answer to their quest for a sustainable future: Greenfire closed-loop technology. Image: Rob Wenner, Sam Sainju and the KenGen team ...
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Eavor Demobilizes Rigs in Geretsried: What It Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal Investors, Heat Markets, and Project Risk

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Eavor Demobilizes Rigs from Geretsried: What It Really Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal For three years, two drilling rigs on a farm estate near Geretsried, a Bavarian town about 40 km south of Munich, stood as the symbol of the world's most ambitious closed-loop geothermal experiment. Now in October 2026,  Eavor Technologies, the Calgary-based developer of the Eavor-Loop, has told the town and its heating utility that both rigs would leave the site . The company said keeping idle rigs and specialist services on site was costly, and that releasing them would help put the project in the strongest position to continue with Loop 2 once its commercial structure is reworked . On the surface, this is a logistics decision. Underneath, it is one of the clearest signals yet about where first-of-a-kind geothermal technology stands, and how hard it is to turn a technical proof into a bankable business. This article explains exactly what happened, what the move means and what it does not mean...
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Endurance Energy Tests World's First Subsea Geothermal Well at Axial Seamount

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Endurance Energy Tests the World's First Subsea Geothermal Well: What the Axial Seamount Demonstration Really Proved What if geothermal energy did not need a power plant on land? What if electricity could be produced directly from the Earth's heat beneath the ocean, with generators sitting on the seafloor and sending power to coastal grids? On October 19, 2026, Seattle-based startup Endurance Energy announced a major step toward that idea. The company said it had drilled and completed the world's first subsea geothermal well and placed a 3-ton test power plant nearly a mile beneath the Pacific. It also reported net-positive electricity from heat at an active underwater volcano, according to its announcement on PR Newswire. The headline numbers are modest. The Adélie prototype produced more electricity than it used for about 8.7 seconds. During that time it delivered a median net output of about 2 kilowatts and a peak of 16.5 kilowatts. One detail matters more than any other...
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Menengai Geothermal Project Delays Expose Kenya’s Broken Steam Supply Model

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Menengai’s Broken Promise: How Kenya’s Geothermal Model Lost the Steam Thematic image of the Olkaria Geothermal Field  Kenya’s Menengai geothermal project was sold as a model of modern public-private partnership. The state would carry the difficult and expensive burden of geothermal exploration and drilling. Private power producers would then build, own and operate power plants. Geothermal Development Company would supply the steam; the independent power producers would convert it into electricity; Kenya Power would buy the output. On paper, the arrangement was elegant. In practice, Menengai has exposed a far more uncomfortable reality: Kenya’s public steam-supply model is not delivering the certainty it promised. Menengai Phase I was designed to produce 105 megawatts from three 35 MW plants. GDC’s own project page says the three plants were awarded to Globeleq Menengai Geothermal, Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power and OrPower Twenty Two under a build-own-operate structure. Yet the ...
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Geiselbullach Geothermal Project Confirms 10 MW District Heating Capacity

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Geothermal milestone at Geiselbullach: 10 MW of heat confirmed after successful second deep well test On 15 August 2026 the Geiselbullach geothermal project reached a pivotal technical milestone: performance testing of the second deep production well completed successfully, delivering a sustained flow of 90 liters per second of thermal water at 79–80 °C. These measured parameters translate into roughly 10 MW of usable thermal power for district heating, enough to replace a portion of heat currently supplied by the municipal waste-to-energy plant (AHKW) and to create headroom for expanding the regional district heating network. The result confirms the project’s technical assumptions and moves the scheme into system-integration and commissioning activities ahead of planned commercial deliveries for the 2027 heating season. This article explains the test results and their significance, outlines the technical and operational consequences, and places the Geiselbullach development in the bro...
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BLM Nevada Geothermal Lease Auction Boosts Renewable Energy Investment amid Solar Land Conflict

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
BLM’s Nevada Geothermal Lease Auction Signals Rising Competition for Federal Energy Land The Bureau of Land Management’s latest geothermal lease sale in Nevada attracted nearly $4.83 million in total receipts, highlighting growing investor interest in geothermal resources as electricity demand rises . The auction also exposed an increasingly important land-use conflict: several geothermal parcels overlap with proposed utility-scale solar projects, including NextEra Energy’s 1,000-megawatt Sawtooth Energy Center. The October 20, 2026, sale offered 83 parcels covering approximately 265,155 acres across 10 Nevada counties. Bidders placed offers on 60 parcels covering 186,641 acres, while 23 parcels received no bids. The results provide a new measure of competition for federal geothermal acreage in one of the United States’ most important geothermal states. Auction Results The Nevada auction attracted 32 registered bidders, of which 18 submitted at least one bid. Across the sale, bidders s...
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KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Geothermal Wells Over Licence Error

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Wells Over 18-Year Licence Blunder Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) faces a serious legal and operational risk at Olkaria after an error in the coordinates of its geothermal licence left part of the company’s wells, steam infrastructure and other assets outside its legally recognised area. The licensing mistake, made nearly two decades ago, remains unresolved despite the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acknowledging the problem in 2017.  The dispute has raised questions about the security of KenGen’s investments, the government’s management of geothermal resources and the potential consequences for Kenya’s electricity supply. Olkaria is the country’s most important geothermal centre and accounts for the overwhelming majority of Kenya’s installed geothermal generation capacity.  Licence Error Exposes Strategic Assets The problem dates back to September 19, 2008, when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum issued KenGen a licence covering ...
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Djibouti Pays KenGen: $1M Offer on a Five-Year Geothermal Drilling Debt

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Djibouti Pays KenGen: A $1 Million Offer on a Five-Year-Old Geothermal Drilling Debt Djibouti has finally moved to pay part of what it owes Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) for drilling work done near Lake Assal. The amount is small next to KenGen's balance sheet. What it says about selling geothermal drilling services across Africa matters a lot more. KenGen's latest annual report says Djibouti's state geothermal agency, the Office Djiboutien de Développement de l'Énergie Géothermique (ODDEG), has offered a first instalment of about $1 million (Sh129 million) against outstanding invoices of $2.13 million (Sh276.03 million), according to Business Daily. "ODDEG has acknowledged the debt and has proposed an initial payment of $1 million as the first instalment towards settlement," KenGen said in the report. KenGen is Kenya's largest power producer, with about 54% of the market. The Kenyan government owns 70% of the company and the public holds t...
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Lithium Harvest Plans Alberta Geothermal Power and Lithium Project

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Lithium Harvest’s Alberta Geothermal Project Could Combine Renewable Power and Domestic Lithium Production Lithium Harvest Holding A/S has signed a letter of intent with an unnamed geothermal development partner to establish a joint venture for an integrated geothermal power and lithium production facility in Alberta, Canada. At full nameplate capacity, the proposed project is expected to produce approximately 28,500 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually while generating 0.67 TWh of renewable electricity each year. The development would use a single geothermal resource to supply both baseload power and lithium-bearing brine for direct lithium extraction and refining.  A Dual-Output Geothermal Development The proposed Alberta facility reflects a growing effort to extract more value from geothermal resources than electricity generation alone. Traditional geothermal power projects produce electricity by bringing hot underground fluids to the surface. Depending on resource temperature a...
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Corva and Oliasoft Connect Well Design With Real-Time Drilling

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Corva and Oliasoft Build a Continuous Learning Loop for Smarter Well Construction Introduction Corva AI and Oliasoft have announced a strategic collaboration designed to connect well engineering, real-time drilling operations and post-well analysis through a bidirectional digital workflow. The integration links Oliasoft WellDesign with Corva’s Real-Time AI platform, creating a continuous information loop in which engineering plans guide field execution and drilling results improve future well designs.  The partnership addresses one of the persistent weaknesses in modern well construction: the separation between planning software and operational systems. Although operators generate large volumes of engineering and drilling data, those datasets often remain fragmented across departments, applications and reporting processes. The result is slower decision-making, repeated manual work and limited transfer of lessons from one well to the next. By connecting design assumptions with liv...
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California Court Orders New Environmental Review for Imperial County Geothermal Lithium Project

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
California Appeals Court Orders New Environmental Review for Imperial County Geothermal–Lithium Project Image: California Salton Lake Sea Hell’s Kitchen geothermal and lithium extraction plan sent back for deeper water, air-quality and mitigation analysis under CEQA A California appeals court has ordered Imperial County to conduct a more rigorous environmental review of the proposed Hell’s Kitchen geothermal power plant and lithium extraction project near the Salton Sea. The Fourth District Court of Appeal found that the county’s original environmental impact report (EIR) did not adequately address long-term water availability, enforceable mitigation measures for water shortages, or potential air-quality impacts tied to the receding Salton Sea. The ruling partially reverses a lower court decision and remands the case to Imperial County Superior Court, requiring the county and project developer Controlled Thermal Resources to address the identified deficiencies before the project can m...
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