ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Versailles Embraces Deep Geothermal Energy to Decarbonize Its District Heating Network By Robert Buluma The historic city of Versailles in France's Yvelines department is taking a bold step toward sustainability. On December 18, 2025, Mayor François de Mazières and Franck Lacroix, Deputy Managing Director of Engie , signed a 32-year concession agreement. This partnership entrusts Engie with transforming, modernizing, and greening the city's district heating network, aiming to slash carbon emissions while providing reliable, renewable heat to residents. At the project's core is deep geothermal energy, harnessing the natural heat from underground aquifers. The site targets the Dogger aquifer, a limestone formation from the Middle Jurassic period, located about 1,500 meters below the Paris Basin. Water in this layer reaches temperatures of around 60°C, making it ideal for heating. The plan involves drilling a geothermal doublet two wells: one to extract hot water and another t...

Geothermal Energy Permits in Denmark: Mapping the Country’s Quiet Heat Revolution (December 2025) By: Robert Buluma Denmark is globally admired for its wind power leadership, ambitious climate policies, and strong district heating systems. Yet beneath its flat landscapes lies another energy resource that is steadily gaining strategic importance: geothermal energy. As of December 2025, Denmark’s geothermal sector is entering a new phase marked by fresh permit applications, and even approval  expanding geographic interest, and stronger alignment with the country’s long-term decarbonization goals. An overview of current geothermal permits and applications reveals not only where development is happening, but also how geothermal energy is quietly positioning itself as a cornerstone of Denmark’s renewable heat future. Geothermal Energy and Denmark’s Heat Transition More than 60 percent of Danish households are connected to district heating networks, making heat decarbonization a national...

Pioneering Deep Geothermal Energy in Estonia By: Robert Buluma QHeat, a leading innovator in geothermal well technology, has taken a significant step in its international expansion by licensing its patented coaxial heat well technology for a pilot project in Estonia. Partnering with Engineering Bureau Steiger and the Geological Survey of Estonia, QHeat aims to explore the potential of deep geothermal energy in a region with limited prior research on its crystalline basement.   This milestone project involved drilling a 712-meter deep geothermal well at the Arbavere research center testing the feasibility of low-temperature district heating and cooling. Additionally, QHeat provided consultation for two more pilot projects one in Tallinn (500 meters) and another near Roosna-Alliku (five wells at 500 meters each). The projects, initiated in late 2023, successfully concluded in early 2025, setting the stage for further geothermal advancements in Estonia.   QHeat’s Advanc...

Exploring Berlin's Geothermal Energy Potential: A Sustainable Solution for District Heating By : Robert Buluma Berlin, a city known for its rich history and vibrant culture, is now setting its sights on a greener future by tapping into the potential of geothermal energy. Recently, Vattenfallwärme Berlin AG and Innargi, a Danish geothermal energy company, have joined forces to assess the feasibility of using geothermal energy as a climate-friendly heat source for the city's district heating system. This collaboration couldn't come at a more crucial time. With the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, finding sustainable alternatives to traditional energy sources has become paramount. Geothermal energy, harnessing the natural heat stored beneath the Earth's surface, presents itself as a promising solution. The partnership between Vattenfallwärme and Innargi aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Berlin's geothermal potential over the...