ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Europe Takes a Giant Leap Toward Lithium Independence: EIB Backs Vulcan Energy’s €2 Billion Lionheart Project with €250 Million By: Robert Buluma 3 December 2025 – In a move that could reshape Europe’s battery and electric-vehicle future, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has just signed a landmark €250 million financing agreement with Australian-German company Vulcan Energy for Phase One of the Lionheart Project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. This isn’t just another mining project. It’s Europe’s first commercial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) operation that simultaneously produces battery-grade lithium and renewable geothermal heat and power – all with a net-zero carbon footprint. Why this matters for Europe Lithium is classified as both a critical and strategic raw material under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act.   Europe currently imports >95% of its battery-grade lithium, mostly from Australia, Chile and China.   By 2030, the EU’s demand for lit...

Iceland's Geothermal Renaissance: Government Bets Big on Low-Enthalpy and Innovative Uses By: Robert Buluma Iceland has long been the poster child for geothermal energy. With legendary high-temperature fields powering everything from the famous Blue Lagoon to nearly 100% of the country’s electricity and district heating, most people assumed the geothermal story was already written. Apparently not. In a move that has the global geothermal community buzzing, the Icelandic government has just announced a massive ISK 600 million (roughly €4 million / $4.4 million USD) grant program specifically designed to kick-start innovative geothermal projects, with the state covering up to one-third of total project costs. What makes this announcement truly exciting isn’t the money itself (Iceland has funded geothermal before), but the deliberate shift in focus: low-enthalpy resources and non-traditional applications. Why This Matters  The Low-Enthalpy Revolution For decades, Iceland’s geothermal ...

DeepStor : Turning a Former Oil Field into a Giant Underground Heat Battery at KIT Campus North Published by  Robert Buluma : | November 2025 Imagine storing the surplus summer heat deep underground and bringing it back up in winter to warm an entire research campus  without burning any gas or emitting CO₂. That is exactly what the DeepStor research infrastructure at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Campus North is setting out to prove.  From black gold to green heat The Upper Rhine Graben, one of Europe’s classic oil provinces, still hides dozens of depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs beneath its surface. Instead of abandoning them, the DeepStor team wants to repurpose one of these former oil fields as a high-temperature seasonal heat storage  essentially a gigantic geothermal battery. Hot water (up to 130–150 °C) would be injected in summer when solar thermal collectors, waste heat from industry or even waste incineration plants produce more heat than needed. ...

First Gen and Unilever Philippines Renew Renewable Energy Partnership By:  Robert Buluma In a strong move toward sustainability, First Gen Corporation will continue to supply 10 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) to seven of Unilever Philippines’ facilities. This renewed partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. The agreement covers Unilever’s production and distribution sites across Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas . These facilities manufacture a wide array of products, from ice cream, sauces, and seasonings to beauty, personal care, and home care items. First Gen will source the power from the geothermal plants of its subsidiary, Energy Development Corp. (EDC) , located in Bicol, Tongonan in Leyte, and Palinpinon in Negros Oriental . “Since 2017, First Gen has been our partner in helping us reduce the carbon footprint of our manufacturing operations with a steady supply of renewable en...

Exciting Postdoc Opportunity: Pioneering Next-Gen Geothermal Energy Storage at the University of Stavanger Posted by  Robert Buluma on November 28, 2025 In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable energy, where the world races to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, groundbreaking research is more crucial than ever. If you're a passionate researcher with a PhD in hand and a drive to shape the future of clean energy, I've got an opportunity that might just be your next big leap. Today, I'm spotlighting a fantastic postdoctoral position at the University of Stavanger (UiS) in Norway – a hub for cutting-edge energy innovation. This isn't just any postdoc gig. It's part of the newly granted EU GeoSTAIN project, a major initiative focused on next-generation geothermal and thermal storage technologies. Think advanced solutions that harness the Earth's heat for reliable, eco-friendly energy production and storage. As global energy demands skyro...

Exciting Fully-Funded PhD Opportunities in Geosciences at Khalifa University (UAE) – Deadline March 2026 By:  Robert Buluma If you’re a geoscience enthusiast dreaming of pushing the boundaries of Earth science while being fully funded in one of the most dynamic research environments in the Middle East, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Prof. Hamed Gamaleldien and his research group at Khalifa University of Science and Technology (Abu Dhabi, UAE) have just announced four fully-funded PhD positions at the intersection of geology, geochemistry, tectonics, and critical metal exploration. Why Khalifa University? Located in Abu Dhabi, one of the safest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world   State-of-the-art analytical facilities (LA-ICP-MS, electron microprobe, clean labs, etc.)   Strong international collaborations and fieldwork opportunities in the Arabian Shield, East African Orogen, and beyond   Generous tax-free stipend, accommodatio...

Greenvale Energy (ASX:GRV) Unlocks Geothermal Potential with $5M Farm-in Deal from Sunrise Energy Metals By: Robert Buluma 26 November 2025 In a move that could prove highly strategic for both companies and the north-west Queensland region, Greenvale Energy Limited (ASX:GRV) has announced a binding Farm-in and future Joint Venture agreement with SRL Hot Rocks Pty Ltd, a 100%-owned subsidiary of ASX-listed Sunrise Energy Metals (ASX:SRL). The deal centres on Greenvale’s 100%-owned Millungera Basin Geothermal Project, located ~120 km east of Mount Isa in one of Australia’s hottest and most prospective geothermal provinces. Key Deal Terms SRL Hot Rocks will sole fund up to A$5 million in exploration and development expenditure. - Upon completing the $5M spend, SRL-HR will earn a 51% majority interest in the Millungera geothermal tenements, with a pathway to a full Joint Venture. Greenvale retains a meaningful free-carried interest through the earn-in phase, allowing it to preserve capita...

United Downs: Britain’s First Deep Geothermal Power Plant Edges Closer to the Finish Line After High-Stakes Pump Swap at 5.2 km Cornwall, UK – November 2025 By:  Robert Buluma Five kilometres beneath the rolling hills of Cornwall, in one of the deepest onshore wells ever drilled on British soil, a quiet but pivotal drama has just played out. After months of frustration, the failed downhole pump that threatened to derail the United Downs deep geothermal project – the UK’s first attempt to generate electricity from hot granite – has been pulled to surface. In its place, a new high-temperature Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) supplied by SLB (formerly Schlumberger) is being readied for deployment 1,400 metres below the rig floor, inside a 5,275-metre production well that still holds the record as the deepest onshore borehole in the United Kingdom. The man at the centre of the operation, Ryan Law, Founder and CEO of Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL ), has been unusually candid on Linke...

Strataphy Raises $6 Million to Revolutionize AI & Industrial Cooling with Geothermal Innovation November 25, 2025 Author:  Robert Buluma In a major boost for sustainable infrastructure, Strataphy , a cutting-edge deep-tech company, has raised $6 million in seed funding to scale its revolutionary geothermal-based cooling technology across the Middle East and other high-temperature regions. The round was led by Outliers VC and Shorooq Partners , with additional participation from PlusVC . As artificial intelligence, hyperscale data centers, and industrial facilities continue to expand, cooling has become one of the biggest bottlenecks , especially in hot climates. In the Middle East, cooling consumes nearly 50% of total electricity use and constitutes a massive $120 billion market , with Saudi Arabia alone accounting for $13 billion . PrimeLoop™: Cooling Powered by Deep Subsurface Energy At the heart of Strataphy’s breakthrough is PrimeLoop™ , a proprietary subsurface cooling...

Scotland’s First Deep Geothermal Heating Plant: NHS Grampian and TownRock Energy Explore Renewable Future By:  Robert Buluma Scotland is taking a significant step toward renewable energy with the potential construction of its first deep geothermal heating plant in Aberdeen. A recent Scottish Government-funded feasibility study, conducted by TownRock Energy in partnership with NHS Grampian , has revealed the immense potential of harnessing geothermal energy beneath the city. This groundbreaking initiative could transform heating systems, reduce carbon emissions, and support the local community in tackling rising energy costs. Feasibility Study Highlights Geothermal Potential The desk-based study, completed by TownRock Energy, examined three different geothermal technologies for the Foresterhill Health Campus . The study concluded that an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) , reaching depths of 3.5km to 5km, would provide the most efficient and reliable source of renewable heat. ...

Nevada’s Geothermal Lease Sale Shatters Records: What It Means for the Future of Clean Energy By: Robert Buluma The geothermal industry is entering an exciting new chapter—one defined by bold investments, rising land values, and rapidly advancing technology. The latest lease sale in Nevada is a perfect example. According to industry sources, bids are already surpassing previous records , with some parcels hitting over $400 per acre . This remarkable surge comes just months after earlier records were set, signaling a powerful and accelerating trend. As geothermal development continues to pick up momentum across the western United States, Nevada stands out as one of the most attractive hotspots. The state’s rich geothermal resources, combined with strong policy support and advancements in subsurface imaging, drilling, and reservoir engineering, are creating the perfect environment for developers and investors alike. A Record-Breaking Sale: What Happened? The Bureau of Land Management...

Barito Renewables  Heats Up: BREN Expands Geothermal Capacity to Power Indonesia’s Energy Future By:  Robert Buluma Indonesia’s renewable energy landscape is heating up — literally. 💥 PT Barito Renewables Energy Tbk (BREN) ), owned by billionaire Prajogo Pangestu, is taking bold steps to reinforce its position as a geothermal powerhouse. The company has unveiled a strategic expansion plan aimed at boosting its geothermal power generation capacity across multiple key plants. According to its latest public presentation, BREN will increase the capacity of its geothermal power plants (PLTP) in four locations — a move designed to propel corporate growth while contributing significantly to Indonesia’s clean energy targets. Among the headline projects: Wayang Windu Unit 3 will see a 30 MW capacity boost. Salak Unit 7 will gain an additional 40 MW , both targeted for completion by Q4 2026 . Wayang Windu Units 1 & 2 will undergo a retrofit adding 18.4 MW , expected by Q...