ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

How Geothermal Energy Works: From Underground Heat to Electricity Grid By: Robert Buluma  In 1904, the Italian town of Larderello lit five lightbulbs using nothing but the heat of the Earth. By 1913, a full-scale plant was producing 250 kilowatts there from natural steam vents. Yet more than a century later, geothermal remains one of the most underappreciated clean energy sources on the planet — today accounting for just about 0.5% of global electricity. That is beginning to change. As the world searches for reliable, round-the-clock renewable power to complement intermittent wind and solar, geothermal is attracting unprecedented attention. "Geothermal could be the backbone to providing a clean, affordable, reliable, low-cost grid," says Katrina McLaughlin of the World Resources Institute. With emerging technologies poised to unlock heat virtually anywhere beneath our feet, understanding how this remarkable resource works has never been more important. I. The Fiery Engine Dee...

The small town of Bad Bevensen, nestled in the serene Lüneburger Heide region of northern Germany, has long been known for its healing thermal springs and tranquil spa culture.  By:  Robert Buluma But beneath its peaceful surface lies a powerful, silent force: the Earth's own heat, waiting to be tapped. Now, in 2026, a bold geothermal project is reigniting hope for a sustainable, carbon-free future—and it's set to transform the town's energy landscape by 2029. Imagine a future where homes, hospitals, the historic Kurhaus, and the Rathaus are warmed not by imported gas or fluctuating fossil fuels, but by clean, reliable heat drawn from over three kilometers underground. Temperatures reaching 128°C at around 3,300 meters make this possible. This isn't science fiction—it's the ambitious vision now being driven by Berlin-based NULLCOZWEI GmbH , a company stepping in to rescue and accelerate a project that once seemed stalled. From Setback to Second Chance The story bega...

Gradient Geothermal Supporting First-in-the-Nation Colorado Initiative to Transform Orphan Oil & Gas Wells into Geothermal and Carbon Storage Assets By: Robert Buluma In a groundbreaking move that bridges the fossil fuel era with a clean energy future, Gradient Geothermal, a Denver-based innovator in geothermal technology, has announced its support for a pioneering technical study led by Colorado's Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO). Announced on March 3, 2026, this initiative marks the first statewide effort of its kind to repurpose orphaned oil and gas wells long considered environmental liabilities—into valuable assets for geothermal energy production and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Orphaned wells are abandoned oil and gas wells with no identifiable owner or operator responsible for plugging them. In Colorado, the ECMC oversees an Orphaned Well Program that identifies, prioritizes, and addresses these sites to pr...

Geothermal Power Plant “TOPP2” Commences Operations in New Zealand By: Robert Buluma  Steady Progress in Renewable Energy Through Collaboration with Eastland Generation March 26, 2026 Obayashi Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshimi Sato) has announced the successful commencement of operations at the TOPP2 geothermal power plant , a 49 MW facility developed by Eastland Generation Limited (EG) in Kawerau, New Zealand. The plant officially opened on March 20, 2026 , marking a significant milestone in New Zealand’s renewable energy sector. Expanding Renewable Energy in New Zealand TOPP2 contributes to the expansion of New Zealand’s renewable energy infrastructure, providing a stable and sustainable electricity supply. With this new addition, EG has increased its total generating capacity from 69 MW to 118 MW , strengthening its business foundation through long-term power sales contracts and consistent electricity supply to the market. The opening ceremony...