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Showing posts with the label Geothermal Energy

🔋 Eavor’s Magnetic Leap: How Germany's First Closed-Loop Geothermal Plant is Rewriting Renewable Energy Rules

🌍 A New Era for Geothermal: Eavor’s Groundbreaking Technology Powers Germany Forward By:  Robert Buluma The renewable energy world is buzzing, and for good reason. In the quiet town of Geretsried, Germany , something extraordinary is happening underground  Eavor Technologies has launched a geothermal revolution that could change the energy game forever. At the center of this disruption is Eavor-Link™ Active Magnetic Ranging (AMR)  a drilling technology so precise, it can align two wells with surgical accuracy, 100 meters apart, thousands of meters below the surface. 🧲 The Magic of Magnetic Ranging Traditional geothermal systems depend heavily on subsurface water and sometimes controversial methods like fracking. But Eavor’s AMR system is eliminating these dependencies by creating a closed-loop geothermal circuit  known as the Eavor-Loop™ . This loop operates with zero emissions, requires no water withdrawal, and eliminates induced seismicity concerns. It ci...

Geothermal Colonialism or Global Partnership?

The Ethics of Foreign Investment in African Geothermal Resources By:  Robert Buluma Beneath the surface of Africa lies a force powerful enough to revolutionize the continent's energy future: geothermal energy. With its promise of clean, sustainable, and reliable baseload power, geothermal is no longer just a hidden treasure it's a strategic resource. Yet, as the interest of foreign investors grows in the Rift Valley and beyond, so do the ethical questions. Are these investments empowering Africa or quietly replicating patterns of resource exploitation? This article delves deep into the ethical implications of foreign investment in Africa's geothermal sector. We explore case studies across the continent, highlight emerging concerns, and present a framework for ensuring that Africa benefits from its geothermal riches without surrendering control or sovereignty. The African Geothermal Boom: A Global Attraction Africa, particularly along the East African Rift System (EARS)...

Breaking Ground, Breaking Limits: New Zealand’s Supercritical Geothermal Ambitions Take Shape

Published: 28 May 2025 By:  Robert Buluma In the heart of the Taupō Volcanic Zone, where the earth roars with ancient fire, a bold new frontier in energy is stirring beneath New Zealand’s feet.  The Government has announced major strides in its ambitious pursuit of supercritical geothermal energy—a potential game-changer that could propel Aotearoa to the forefront of global clean energy innovation. And it’s not just ambition—it’s action. 🔥 Supercritical: The Next Leap in Geothermal Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti unveiled fresh details about the government’s progress toward harnessing supercritical geothermal energy. This isn't your everyday clean energy initiative—it's the geothermal equivalent of striking gold at the Earth's molten edge. Conventional geothermal energy taps into hot water and steam from wells drilled up to 3.5 km deep. But supercritical geothermal? It goes deeper—up to 6 km—where temp...

Vulcan Energy Powers Ahead: Geox GmbH Acquisition Supercharges Lithium and Renewable Ambitions in Germany

In a move that promises to redefine the renewable energy and lithium landscape in Europe, Vulcan Energy has officially completed its acquisition of Geox GmbH  a bold stride toward streamlining operations and accelerating the energy transition.  By: Robert Buluma The deal, which includes geothermal wells, renewable energy generation assets, and a valuable geothermal and lithium licence around the City of Landau, Germany, positions Vulcan as a powerhouse in clean energy innovation. Announced back in September 2024, the agreement aimed to consolidate Vulcan’s upstream Phase One lithium and renewable energy assets. By acquiring 100% of Geox’s holdings — and replacing a prior joint venture and brine offtake agreement — Vulcan has now secured total control of a strategic asset base that will serve as the cornerstone of its ambitious Lionheart Project. Geothermal, Lithium, and Leadership The assets at the heart of this acquisition are no ordinary infrastructure. Located in the Landau...

Towards a Shared Future: Indonesia and New Zealand Launch the Geothermal Partnership Program PINZ

Amidst the bustle of the capital city, a monumental moment took place at the Slamet Bratanata Building of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM):  By: Robert Buluma Indonesia and New Zealand officially launched the Indonesia–Aotearoa New Zealand Geothermal Partnership Program (PINZ). This cross-country initiative not only marks a new era of bilateral cooperation but also underscores Indonesia’s strategic steps in advancing its clean energy transition. With an ambitious target of increasing geothermal capacity by 1.1 GW over the next five years , PINZ is not merely a technical project—it is a declaration that Indonesia is serious about becoming a global geothermal powerhouse , surpassing even the United States. Shaking the Global Energy Status Quo “Energy transition is not a choice—it’s a necessity,” asserted Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE). In her stirring address, she emphasized that Indonesia’s success...

Unlocking Earth’s Hidden Power: The Future of Energy Lies Beneath the Great Basin

Imagine a world powered not by burning fossil fuels or waiting on the whims of wind and sunlight but by the Earth itself. That world may be closer than we think. By: Robert Buluma Image:  Estimated power density map showing how a best Estimated 135 GW electric are distributed across the Great Basin In a groundbreaking 2025 report, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) unveiled a bold new vision for America’s energy future, spotlighting an untapped giant: Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). Beneath the rugged terrain of the Great Basin a vast swath of the Southwestern United States lies a potentially explosive source of clean, renewable electricity. The numbers are nothing short of astonishing. 135 Gigawatts Electric And That’s Just the Beginning Image:  Heat flow maps, shaded relief from the national atlas of the United States, temp at 6KM According to the USGS, the upper 6 kilometers of Earth’s crust in the Great Basin alone could harbor 135 gigawatts electric (GWe) of geothermal...

Iceland Heats Up the Canaries: Reykjavík Geothermal to Ignite Tenerife’s First Geothermal Drilling This Autumn

In a bold and historic leap towards clean energy, Tenerife is gearing up for its first-ever geothermal drilling for energy production , thanks to a visionary collaboration led by Reykjavík Geothermal (RG) of Iceland and local energy giant DISA .  By:  Robert Buluma The project marks a seismic shift in how the Canary Islands approach renewable energy quite literally. As the autumn breeze begins to roll in over the volcanic landscapes of Tenerife, drilling rigs will roar to life , signaling the dawn of a geothermal revolution in the region. This isn’t just another renewable energy project  it’s the birth of an entirely new energy frontier , and Iceland is right at the helm. 🌍 A Northern Powerhouse in a Southern Paradise Renowned for harnessing its own geothermal resources with unmatched expertise, Iceland has long been the benchmark for clean, sustainable energy. Now, Reykjavík Geothermal is exporting that excellence to the Canary Islands through a trailblazing partner...

Ormat Technologies Expands U.S. Geothermal Portfolio with Acquisition of Blue Mountain Power Plant in Nevada

Ormat Technologies Acquires Blue Mountain Geothermal Power Plant for $88 Million Strategic Expansion in the U.S. Geothermal Energy Market By: Robert Buluma In a significant move poised to strengthen its foothold in the U.S. renewable energy sector, Ormat Technologies Inc. has announced the acquisition of the Blue Mountain geothermal power plant located in Humboldt County, Nevada . This 20 MW facility, formerly owned by Cyrq Energy , was acquired for USD 88 million , marking a strategic milestone in Ormat's ongoing growth strategy. This acquisition demonstrates Ormat’s commitment to bolstering its geothermal energy portfolio in the United States while contributing to the nation's clean energy goals. The Blue Mountain geothermal project not only adds capacity to Ormat’s existing generation assets but also sets the stage for further technological and operational enhancements.  Overview of the Blue Mountain Geothermal Power Plant The Blue Mountain facility, originally commis...

Driving the Heat Transition in Hanover with Eavor Technology

  A Climate-Neutral Future for Hanover’s District Heating By: Robert Buluma The city of Hanover is taking a bold step toward a climate-friendly future with the implementation of an innovative geothermal energy project by Eavor in collaboration with enercity.  This groundbreaking initiative aims to cover 15 to 20 percent of Hanover’s district heating needs using cutting-edge Eavor-Loop™ technology, significantly reducing reliance on coal-fired power plants and advancing the city's heat transition goals. The Hanover Geothermal Project: A Game Changer for District Heating Eavor is developing two Eavor-Loops™ in the Lahe district, each with a heat output of 15 MW. Once operational, this system will generate up to 250 million kilowatt hours of geothermal energy annually. This is equivalent to supplying heat for approximately 20,000 homes within the enercity supply area, ensuring a stable, renewable, and climate-neutral energy source. Replacing Coal with Sustainable Geothermal Energ...

Sanko Energi Announces Record-Breaking Discovery: Turkey’s Hottest Geothermal Production Well at 308°C

In a major breakthrough for renewable energy in Turkey, Sanko Energi has announced the successful discovery of what is now being hailed as Turkey’s hottest geothermal production well reaching an astonishing 308 degrees Celsius.  By:  Robert Buluma This record-setting temperature not only underlines the immense potential of Turkey’s geothermal resources but also marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s sustainable energy journey. A New Chapter in Turkey’s Geothermal Revolution Turkey has long been recognized as a geothermal powerhouse, thanks to its unique geological structure and abundant geothermal reservoirs. The discovery of a production well reaching 308°C by Sanko Energi pushes the limits of what was previously thought possible and signals a promising future for the country’s renewable energy sector. Key Highlights of the Discovery: Unprecedented Temperature: At 308°C, this well sets a new record for geothermal production in Turkey. Enhanced Production Potential: ...