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XGS Energy Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone in Geothermal Innovation

XGS Energy  Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone for Water-Independent Geothermal System By : Robert Buluma HOUSTON, Sept 30, 2025 – In a groundbreaking achievement for the geothermal sector, XGS Energy has announced the successful 3,000-hour operation of its water-independent geothermal system at commercial scale. This milestone not only validates the system’s commercial economics but also positions XGS as the first company to demonstrate such technology under real-world, commercial conditions. A New Era in Geothermal Innovation The operations took place at the Coso Geothermal Field in California’s Western Mojave Desert, a site owned by Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure and operated by Coso Operating Company. XGS Energy  revitalized a well that had been idle for over two decades, installing its proprietary closed-loop geothermal system enhanced by Thermal Reach Enhancement (TRE) technology. Flow testing delivered a record performance, maintaining a sustained temperature differenc...

Cornish Lithium Secures £35M to Advance Geothermal Lithium and Critical Mineral Projects in the UK

Cornish Lithium  Secures £35M in Equity Funding  A Milestone for UK Critical Minerals By:  Robert Buluma In a major boost for the UK’s domestic battery supply ambitions,  Cornish Lithium has announced that it has secured £35 million in new equity funding. This capital raise is intended to propel its key projects closer to construction and commercial stages, marking a pivotal moment in the firm’s trajectory. Backing & Investors The funding round is led by existing institutional backers, with up to £31 million coming from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) , and approximately £4 million from TechMet , a long-standing investor in the company. Cornish Lithium’s legal counsel for the deal was Mayer Brown. What the Funds Will Be Used For Cornish Lithium will allocate the capital toward advancing two flagship projects: Trelavour Lithium Project : The funds will support further engineering work, feasibility studies, and help lead the project toward a construction...

Unlocking Geothermal Power: Subsurface Secrets of Mount Erciyes Revealed”

Mount Erciyes: A Hidden Geothermal Treasure Beneath Cappadocia By: Robert Buluma Beneath the snow-capped slopes of Mount Erciyes , central Turkey’s highest peak, lies more than just volcanic history  it harbors the promise of geothermal energy . A new study published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research has mapped the subsurface of Erciyes using three-dimensional magnetotelluric (MT) imaging , revealing zones of high electrical conductivity that point to heat, fluids, and possible magma bodies deep underground. Cracking the Code Beneath the Mountain Researchers led by S.B. Tank used advanced MT techniques to peer beneath Erciyes and its surroundings. Their results uncovered conductivity anomalies   regions where electricity flows more easily due to the presence of saline fluids, hot water, or partially molten rock . For geothermal experts, these anomalies are gold. They act as subsurface fingerprints of geothermal reservoirs , highlighting where heat ...

Kenya’s Energy Crossroads: Gulf Energy Takes Over Tullow Oil in Turkana’s Geothermal-Rich Fields

Gulf Energy  Takes Over Tullow Oil’s Turkana Fields – Oil Drilling to Overlap a Geothermal Hotspot By:  Robert Buluma In a landmark energy shift for Kenya, British explorer Tullow Oil  has officially exited the country after 14 years , selling its Turkana operations to Gulf Energy  in a deal worth Ksh.16 billion (USD 120 million). The transition marks the end of  Tullow's chapter in Kenya and the beginning of a new phase that could reshape not only oil production but geothermal exploration as well. The takeover grants  Gulf Energy full control of the Turkana oil project , situated in a geologically active zone that also happens to host significant geothermal potential. Beneath Turkana’s arid landscapes, volcanic systems create natural heat reservoirs turning the region into a rare frontier where oil and geothermal energy converge. Tullow Oil  first entered Kenya in 2010, striking the Ngamia-1 discovery well in 2012, which ignited hopes of the countr...

Ahnsbeck Breakthrough: Lower Saxony’s First Deep Geothermal Project Set to Become a Flagship for Clean Energy

First Deep Geothermal Project in Lower Saxony About to Be Implemented – LBEG President Carsten Mühlenmeier: “Ahnsbeck Could Become a Flagship Project” By:  Robert Buluma Sven Krueger, Managing Director of Baker Hughes , shows LBEG President Carsten Mühlenmeier and SVO Managing Director Holger Schwenke (from left) the drilling rig in Ahnsbeck. “We are now here else in Lower Saxony as far along as we are here.” With these words, Carsten Mühlenmeier, President of the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG), made it clear during his visit to the drilling site near Ahnsbeck (Celle district) that just twelve kilometers east of the former ducal residence city, the first deep geothermal project in the state could soon become reality. Baker Hughes has encountered rock layers at around 2,500 meters depth that register temperatures of 113 degrees Celsius. In the future, this heat could be used, for example, to supply buildings with heating. “Up to now, we have issued 42 explorat...

Łódź Geothermal Milestone: Innargi and Geofizyka Toruń Wrap Up Seismic Surveys"

Łódź Reaches a New Milestone in Poland’s Geothermal Journey By:  Robert Buluma Poland’s renewable energy landscape has taken another significant step forward. In Łódź, seismic surveys aimed at mapping geothermal potential have officially been completed marking another chapter in the nation’s transition toward green energy. Earlier this summer, seismic trucks rolled into the heart of Łódź, covering 160 kilometers of subsurface across the city center and surrounding areas . In just four weeks finishing ahead of schedule the data collection phase was wrapped up. This work builds on similar surveys conducted earlier in Poznań, with both cities forming part of a larger geothermal exploration effort. Why This Matters Seismic surveys are more than just technical exercises. They provide vital insights into the geothermal resources beneath Poland’s largest urban areas , helping scientists and energy planners determine how renewable heat can be harnessed to power district heating systems...

Exciting Graduate Research Opportunity at Los Alamos National Laboratory: Acoustics in Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), one of the world’s most prestigious research institutions, is opening its doors to ambitious graduate students eager to make an impact in renewable energy innovation. By:  Robert Buluma The Laboratory’s Applied Acoustics Team (MPA-11) is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant to contribute to groundbreaking work in acoustics-based sensing for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) . Why This Matters Enhanced Geothermal Systems represent one of the most promising frontiers in renewable energy. By using advanced acoustics to better understand, monitor, and optimize subsurface activity, LANL’s team aims to unlock cleaner, more reliable geothermal energy solutions. This role places the successful candidate at the forefront of both renewable energy development and high-level national research. What You Will Do As part of the Applied Acoustics Team, the selected graduate researcher will: Design and conduct complex experiments in acoustics. Apply advance...

Beyond Oil: How Alphaxioms and Aramco Could Redefine Saudi Arabia’s Energy Future

Alphaxioms Calls for a Bold Partnership with Saudi Aramco: Geothermal, Hydrogen, andCCUS for Saudi Arabia’s Energy Future By:  Robert Buluma Saudi Arabia stands at a historic crossroads. With Vision 2030 charting the Kingdom’s transition from oil dependency to a diversified, sustainable economy, the world is watching how energy giants like Saudi Aramco will redefine their role in the global transition. The stakes are high, and the opportunities are even higher. At Alphaxioms, we believe Saudi Arabia has an unprecedented chance to lead the next wave of clean energy innovation—not just in the Middle East, but worldwide. The time has come to tap into solutions that go beyond incremental change. The Energy Challenge The global community is racing toward net-zero emissions, with 2050 as the defining milestone. Nations and corporations alike are under pressure to deliver scalable, low-carbon solutions that maintain energy security while reducing emissions. For Saudi Arabia, this means ha...
Ormat  Secures 25-Year PPA Extension – Powering Southern California with Geothermal Energy Until 2052 By: Robert Buluma In an era where the world’s energy future hinges on reliability, resilience, and sustainability, Ormat  Technologies has just delivered one of the most significant announcements in the geothermal sector. On August 25, 2025, the Nevada-based geothermal powerhouse confirmed the signing of a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) extension with the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) . This milestone means that the Heber 1 geothermal facility , located in California’s Imperial Valley, will continue delivering 52MW of clean, around-the-clock electricity to millions of Californians until 2052 . For the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) , this deal secures a cornerstone of California’s baseload renewable energy future . A Cornerstone of California’s Clean Energy Transition “This agree...

Germany Maps 150+ Deep Geothermal Projects, 2000MW Planned

🌍 Germany’s Geothermal Boom: 2,000 MW in the Pipeline as New Map Reveals Over 150 Deep Geothermal Projects By: Robert Buluma Germany is turning up the heat—literally—on its clean energy future. A newly released map from the German Geothermal Energy Association (BVG) shows a dramatic surge in deep geothermal energy projects across the country. Titled "Deep Geothermal Projects in Germany," the map offers a comprehensive snapshot of over 150 geothermal projects currently in planning, with a staggering potential to generate up to 2,000 MW of thermal energy , and in some cases, electricity. 🔍 Current Geothermal Landscape in Germany According to the BVG, there are now: 42 operational deep geothermal plants 31 provide only heat 9 produce both heat and electricity 2 generate electricity exclusively 16 plants currently under construction 155 new plants in the planning phase 8 research facilities 170 thermal baths powered by geothermal sources The currently installed capacity stan...

Stanford’s Smart Cement Could Revolutionize Geothermal Energy”

Stanford  Engineers Unveil a Game-Changer: Smart Cement for Geothermal Wells By:  Robert Buluma In the ever-evolving journey toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, geothermal energy continues to rise as a powerful ally. But while the heat beneath our feet is abundant, safely and efficiently tapping into it isn’t always straightforward. Now,  Stanford University researchers may have just cracked a key challenge—with a material innovation that could transform the geothermal industry forever. 💡 The Problem: Cement Cracks and the Risk It Poses In geothermal wells, cement is used to seal and stabilize boreholes. But here’s the catch: high underground temperatures and pressures can cause traditional cement to crack over time. These micro-cracks can lead to serious risks—fluid leaks, well failure, environmental hazards, and even safety concerns for workers and communities. 🧠 The Solution: Stanford’s “Smart Cement” A team of  Stanford engineers, led by res...

🔥Geothermal Gold Rush: BLM New Mexico Opens Land Nominations for 2026 Lease Sale🔥

Santa Fe, New Mexico – In an exciting move for the geothermal industry, the  Bureau of land Management (BLM) New Mexico State Office is officially welcoming nominations for geothermal leasing ahead of its upcoming lease sale, expected to take place in March 2026 . By : Robert Buluma If you’ve been eyeing geothermal development opportunities, the clock is ticking— all nominations must be submitted by September 25, 2025 . ⚡ Why This Matters Geothermal energy is a game-changer. It's clean, renewable, and offers reliable baseload power—something wind and solar can’t always guarantee. As climate action intensifies and demand for sustainable power surges, tapping into the Earth’s heat is becoming one of the most promising frontiers in the American West. The BLM plays a pivotal role in this transformation, managing 245 million acres of public lands and 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estates across the country, making them a key player in the geothermal energy boom. Geothermal...

Geothermal Lithium Breakthrough: CTR Powers Ahead at Hell’s Kitchen

Controlled Thermal Resources  (CTR) Charges Ahead with Major Lithium and Power Milestones at the Hell's Kitchen Project By:  Robert Buluma In the heart of California’s Salton Sea, momentum continues to build around what could become one of the most significant clean energy and battery-grade lithium projects in the world.  Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) has just unveiled a major project update, underscoring the rapid development of its integrated lithium and renewable power facility — the Hell’s Kitchen Lithium and Power Project. A Project of Global Importance The Hell's Kitchen Project is no ordinary development. It represents a world-first in co-producing battery-grade lithium and baseload renewable power from the same geothermal brine source — a truly circular, zero-waste solution. As global demand for electric vehicles, battery storage, and clean energy skyrockets, CTR’s project stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability. Progress on All Fronts CTR’s late...

Quaise Energy Breaks Ground in Geothermal Innovation with Millimeter-Wave Drilling

A groundbreaking milestone has just been achieved in the geothermal world.  Quaise Energy a bold energy tech startup, is turning heads by drilling through granite—not with traditional bits, but with powerful millimeter-wave energy.  By :  Robert Buluma This disruptive technology could unlock near-unlimited geothermal power deep beneath the Earth’s surface. 💡 The Power Beneath Our Feet Beneath the Earth's crust lies a massive source of heat—superhot rock that, if harnessed, could power the planet many times over. The challenge? It's buried miles deep in unforgiving conditions where traditional drill bits melt, wear down, or fail completely. Enter  Quaise Energy revolutionary solution: vaporizing rock with directed energy. ⚙️ How It Works Instead of grinding rock with steel,  Quaise uses millimeter-wave energy—essentially high-powered microwaves. These waves are delivered through a special pipe to the rock face, where they instantly melt or vaporize hard mater...