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Showing posts with the label Geothermal Energy

Unlocking America’s Hidden Power: Congressman Fulcher’s Bold Push for Geothermal Energy and Lower Energy Costs

Congressman Russ Fulcher Introduces Landmark Bill to Unlock Geothermal Energy and Lower Costs Across the U.S. By:  Robert Buluma WASHINGTON, D.C., November 25, 2025 – U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) has reintroduced a pivotal piece of legislation designed to accelerate geothermal energy development in the United States. The bill, H.R. 5576 – the Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act, aims to streamline the permitting and exploration process for geothermal projects, placing geothermal energy on par with oil and gas exploration on public lands. As energy demand in the United States surges, driven by rapid technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and high-capacity data centers, the need for reliable and clean baseload energy has never been more critical. Geothermal energy, a stable and renewable resource, offers a significant solution, yet its development has long been hampered by federal regulations and lengthy permitti...

OMV GeoTherm NL BV Takes Over Major Parts of Shell’s Dutch Geothermal Portfolio

OMV GeoTherm NL BV Takes Over Major Segments of Shell Geothermie’s Dutch Geothermal Portfolio By:  Robert Buluma In a significant development for the Dutch geothermal sector, a new and highly experienced international player has stepped into the arena. OMV Green Energy GmbH—operating in the Netherlands under the name OMV GeoTherm NL BV —has officially taken over a large portion of Shell Geothermie’s geothermal portfolio . This transition marks an important moment for the growth, diversification, and continued professionalization of geothermal energy development in the Netherlands. With this move, OMV becomes a central actor in several high-potential geothermal projects across Rotterdam, Capelle , and Rijnland , reinforcing its long-term commitment to supporting renewable energy systems across Europe. A New Powerhouse in Dutch Geothermal Development OMV, headquartered in Austria, is internationally recognized for its extensive knowledge of subsurface geology, drilling techno...

Biliran II Geothermal Project: The Philippines’ Next 200 MW Renewable Baseload Power Breakthrough

Biliran II: The Philippines' Next 200 MW Geothermal Powerhouse Poised to Transform Data Centers and Industrial Energy Security By:  Robert Buluma In a world racing toward stable and decarbonized energy systems, geothermal power continues to stand out as one of the most reliable and future-proof renewable energy solutions. The Philippines—already home to the world’s third-largest geothermal capacity—is once again making headlines with a transformative new development: the ~200 MW Biliran II Geothermal Project , now advancing toward its final resource confirmation. This landmark project represents a bold new era of geothermal development in Southeast Asia, tapping into renewable baseload power to supply industries that can no longer afford instability, unpredictable pricing, or carbon-heavy electricity. With the rising energy demands of data centers, manufacturing hubs, and digital infrastructure, Biliran II could become a strategic cornerstone in securing long-term energy resilienc...

Archi Indonesia and Ormat Launch 40 MW Geothermal Venture in North Sulawesi

Archi Indonesia and Ormat Form Powerful Geothermal Joint Venture: A 40 MW Vision That Could Redefine North Sulawesi’s Energy Future By: Robert Buluma In a decisive move that signals Indonesia’s accelerating transition toward renewable energy, Archi Indonesia (ARCI ) —one of the country’s largest pure-play gold mining companies—has joined forces with global geothermal powerhouse Ormat Technologies . Their new joint venture, PT Toka Tindung Geothermal (TTG) , aims to deliver a 40-megawatt geothermal power plant within ARCI’s mining concession in North Sulawesi. The partnership is more than a business deal. It represents a strategic realignment in Indonesia’s energy landscape, a recalibration of ARCI’s identity, and a major step forward for geothermal development in Southeast Asia. Below is a deep, comprehensive look at what this collaboration means, what it could unlock, and why it deserves the attention of every energy observer today. A Bold Partnership: ARCI Holds 5%, Ormat Lead...

Zanskar’s Humboldt County Discovery Could Become Nevada’s Largest Geothermal Power Plant

Nevada’s Next Geothermal Giant: Zanskar’s Pumpernickel Discovery Signals a Clean Energy Breakthrough By:  Robert Buluma Nevada is no stranger to geothermal power — but a new discovery in Humboldt County may redefine the state’s renewable energy landscape. Zanskar , a cutting-edge geothermal exploration company using artificial intelligence to hunt for hidden underground heat, has successfully drilled a major geothermal well that could become Nevada’s largest geothermal power facility within just three years. This milestone, known as the Pumpernickel well , is more than a drilling success. It marks the emergence of a bold strategy, a new wave of discoveries, and a significant step toward reliable, 24/7 carbon-free energy for the Western United States. A Breakthrough Hidden Beneath the Surface Zanskar’s Head of Geoscience, Aubry DeReuil , explained that geothermal energy is often associated with obvious surface indicators like hot springs. But the company’s philosophy mirrors...

How Hellisheiði Geothermal Energy Powers Orca, the World’s First Large-Scale CO₂ Removal Facility

Orca: The World’s First Large-Scale Carbon Dioxide Removal Plant in Iceland By:  Robert Buluma Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant is run by  ON Power  a subsidiary of  Orkuveita Reykjavíkur  whilst the Orca carbon removal is owned by  Clime works In the global fight against climate change, few innovations stand out as boldly as  Orca —the world’s first large-scale direct air capture and storage (DAC+S) plant. Located in the scenic geothermal hub of Hellisheiði, Iceland, Orca represents a groundbreaking leap from climate vision to engineering reality. A Landmark Moment: Orca is Launched On  September 8, 2021 , Orca officially began operations, marking a new era in carbon dioxide removal. As the largest operational DAC+S plant on Earth, its mission is simple yet revolutionary: capture CO₂ directly from the atmosphere and lock it safely underground, permanently removing it from the carbon cycle. This milestone positioned Iceland—and the world—at the ...

OMV Halts Graz Geothermal Project: Lessons for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Heating

OMV Halts Graz Geothermal Project: What It Means for Renewable Energy By:  Robert Buluma OMV cancels its deep geothermal project for Graz district heating, highlighting the risks and lessons for renewable energy projects. Discover what this means for future geothermal initiatives. OMV’s OMV’s Surprising Stop on Graz Geothermal Project Austria’s ambitious geothermal project aimed at supplying half of Graz’s district heating has been abruptly canceled. Initially envisioned as a major step in decarbonizing the city’s heating network, the project faced delays and contractual disagreements that ultimately led OMV to halt the initiative. The decision has sent ripples through the Austrian energy sector, raising questions about governance, risk, and renewable energy planning. The Significance of the Project The canceled geothermal initiative was valued at nearly €0.5 billion and had the potential to transform Graz’s energy landscape. Currently, the city relies on a small fraction ...

Geothermal Exploration Planned in Ayvacık, Türkiye – Doğal Hayat Project

Doğal Hayat Geothermal plans to drill an exploration well in Yeşilyurt, Ayvacık, Türkiye, to assess local geothermal potential for sustainable agriculture and tourism. By: Robert Buluma The project’s main goal is to evaluate the local geothermal potential and explore sustainable uses for agriculture and tourism. The plan includes drilling an exploration well (YO‑01) on parcel 160, block 7, within the company’s geothermal licence area (access number 3248844). The site spans roughly 9,000 m² of privately owned land, strategically chosen for its geothermal potential. Because the land is classified as an olive grove, all operations will comply with Turkey’s Olive Tree Law (No. 3573) and Soil Protection and Land Use Law (No. 5403). The regulatory authority has determined that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/ÇED) is not required at this stage. If geothermal resources are confirmed, Doğal Hayat Geothermal plans to develop tourism and agricultural applications, including thermal to...

How Kenya’s Rift Valley Could Power the World’s Electric Vehicle Revolution

Discover how Kenya’s Rift Valley geothermal resources could become a game-changer for the global electric vehicle industry. Explore opportunities, innovations, and insights from Alphaxioms’ expert consultancy in renewable energy. By Alphaxioms | Renewable Energy Insights Kenya’s Rift Valley is more than a scenic wonder — it’s emerging as a global powerhouse in renewable energy, with the potential to fuel the next generation of electric vehicles (EVs). Hidden beneath its volcanic landscapes lies vast geothermal energy, a clean and reliable resource that could revolutionize the EV battery supply chain worldwide. For innovators and investors in clean technology, this is a game-changer. By harnessing geothermal heat, Kenya can support sustainable lithium extraction and other critical minerals, powering not just homes and industries, but also the rapidly expanding EV market. Alphaxioms, a leading renewable energy consultancy, has been at the forefront of exploring these opportunities, comb...

CKW and Localnet AG Examine Geothermal Energy Potential in the Burgdorf Area

CKW and Localnet AG are investigating geothermal energy potential in the Burgdorf region to provide continuous, climate-friendly heat and power. Discover how the project is progressing, what steps are planned, and what it could mean for sustainable energy in Switzerland. Why Geothermal Energy Matters CKW  and  Local Net AG have launched preliminary studies for a possible geothermal project in the Burgdorf region. The goal is to assess whether geothermal energy can be used to produce heat and electricity in a way that is climate-friendly and independent of weather conditions. Unlike solar, wind, and hydropower that depend on daily or seasonal patterns, geothermal can provide continuous, reliable energy an important factor in Switzerland’s push toward climate neutrality. Scope of the Initial Studies In the coming months,  CKW (a subsidiary of the Axpo Group) and  Local Net Ag will: Analyze publicly available underground and geological data. Evaluate the poten...

Ormat's Crescent Valley Geothermal Development Project Secures Green Light in Nevada

🌋 Powering the Future:  Ormat's Crescent Valley Geothermal Development Project Secures Green Light in Nevada 🌱⚡ By  Robert Buluma In a major stride for clean energy advancement, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has completed its environmental assessment and officially approved the Crescent Valley Geothermal Development Project spearheaded by Ormat  Nevada, Inc. This landmark decision—reached on July 16, 2025 —unlocks the potential to generate 30 megawatts of geothermal power from the heart of Crescent Valley , situated between Eureka and Lander Counties in Nevada . 🔍 Project Snapshot Project Name: Crescent Valley Geothermal Development Project Developer:   Ormat Nevada, Inc. Facility Size: ~30 MW (net rated) geothermal power plant Project Footprint: ~2,066 acres on public and private lands Location: Crescent Valley, Battle Mountain, NV (Zip: 89821 & 89820) NEPA Status: Completed Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-NV-E020-2025-0010-EA...