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UOS Exploration Drilling

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Września GT-1: Poland Begins a New Geothermal Drilling Project for Local Heat Poland is moving another step toward expanding geothermal energy as a local heat source, with drilling now underway on the Września GT-1 geothermal exploration well in Greater Poland. The project, being carried out in Września, is designed to determine whether underground thermal water can provide a sufficiently reliable resource for the municipality's heating system. The planned well is expected to reach approximately 1,460 metres , with preliminary estimates indicating thermal water temperatures of around 53–54°C and a potential production rate of at least 250 m³/h . The project is being supported financially by Poland's National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) and forms part of a wider national programme supporting geothermal exploration across Poland. For Września, however, the drilling campaign is about more than simply finding hot water. The results could d...
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Iceland Doubles Down on the Future: 600 Million ISK Unlocked for Next-Generation Geothermal Breakthroughs

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
The Icelandic government has taken a major step forward in advancing its world-leading geothermal sector.  By: Robert Buluma On March 19, 2026, the Loftslags- og orkusjóður (Climate and Energy Fund) announced the allocation of 600 million Icelandic krónur(approximately USD 4.3-4.5 million, depending on exchange rates) to support 11 innovative projects focused on innovation, technology development, and expanded utilization of geothermal resources. This funding round builds directly on the " Jarðhiti jafnar leikinn " (Geothermal Levels the Playing Field) initiative launched in late 2025, which initially committed around 1 billion ISK for exploration and utilization of geothermal energy across Iceland, particularly in underserved areas for district heating. The latest grants shift emphasis toward next-generation technologies, value creation beyond basic heating, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in geothermal extraction. Minister of Environment, Energy, and Clim...
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Iceland’s Orkuveitan Leads the Charge in Superhot Geothermal Development

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
In a bold step toward redefining the future of clean energy, Orkuveitan, Iceland’s leading utility company, has announced its next major geothermal milestone — the IDDP-3 superhot drilling project. By: Robert Buluma Presented by Hera Grímsdóttir, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Orkuveitan, during the Superhot Summit in Reykjavík’s Harpa Conference Center, this initiative marks the dawn of a new era in geothermal energy utilization. The event, organized by Iceland’s Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson in collaboration with the national energy sector, showcased Iceland’s ambition to fast-track the development of next-generation geothermal systems. A joint declaration of intent was signed between the Ministry and three major energy companies — Landsvirkjun, Orkuveitan, and HS Orka — solidifying their cooperation on the Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP-3). The Next Frontier: Deep Drilling into the Earth’s Core In her keynote, Hera Grímsdó...
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DOE awards $99M to 21 projects to accelerate U.S. geothermal development

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
By Alphaxioms WASHINGTON , On September 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a targeted investment of more than $99 million to accelerate geothermal deployment across the United States. The funding , awarded to 21 projects , aims to bridge the gap between laboratory promise and field-proven performance by supporting two critical tracks: field-scale enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) tests and exploration drilling for next-generation geothermal resources. At a moment when policymakers and markets seek reliable, on‑demand clean power, the DOE’s package represents both a significant bet on American geothermal innovation and a practical push to lower technical and development risk for future commercial projects. Why this matters now Geothermal energy sits at a strategic intersection of reliability, decarbonization, and grid resilience. Unlike wind and solar, geothermal provides baseload, around-the-clock power , a quality increasingly prized as variable renewables expand. Yet...
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Fervo Cape Station First Power: EGS Geothermal 24/7 Carbon-Free Baseload

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Fervo Energy Achieves First Power at Cape Station: A Bullish Inflection Point for Enhanced Geothermal Systems Fervo Cape Station First Power Validates EGS as Scalable 24/7 Carbon-Free Baseload Fervo Energy’s September 24, 2026 announcement that its Cape Station project in Beaver County, Utah has achieved First Power marks a watershed moment for the geothermal industry and the broader clean-energy investment landscape.  This is not just another project milestone,it is the first time anywhere in the world that a greenfield, utility-scale enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) development has synchronized to the grid and begun exporting electricity.  The implications are profound: EGS has crossed from promising pilot to commercially proven, repeatable technology capable of delivering firm, 24/7 carbon-free power at gigawatt scale.  For investors, developers, utilities, and hyperscale data-center buyers, Cape Station’s First Power is a de-risking event. It signals that Fervo’s oil...
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"US Geothermal Tax Credits 2026: What the IRA/45Q Changes Mean for Developers"

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
US Geothermal Tax Credits in 2026: What Is Actually Still Alive After OBBBA For an industry that spent more than a decade building financial models around a stable federal incentive structure, 2026 has been a year of whiplash. The 30% federal geothermal tax credit that developers and homeowners built forecasts around is gone in one form and still alive in another, and even the IRS’s own public guidance has been confusing enough to trigger uncertainty across the market. That confusion is not a minor clerical issue. It is shaping investment decisions, contractor sales pitches, homeowner timelines, and project finance assumptions right now. If you work in geothermal, the key question is no longer whether federal incentives exist, but which incentive applies, to which project type, and under what ownership structure. The law that changed the timeline To understand where things stand in 2026, you have to start with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which created a long runway for clean e...
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Sage Geosystems’ Project Vector: EGS at Ormat Blue Mountain Plant

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Sage Geosystems Selects Ormat’s Blue Mountain Plant for Project Vector: a Major Step Toward Commercial EGS Sage Geosystems will deploy its proprietary EGS technology at Ormat’s Blue Mountain power plant in Nevada for Project Vector, targeting first electricity in 2027 and full-scale production in 2028. The two-well project aims to deliver firm, 24/7 geothermal power with lower water losses and higher net output,advancing commercial EGS, validating GeoTwin predictive modeling, and strengthening strategic ties with Ormat amid growing corporate demand for reliable baseload clean energy. Why this matters Sage Geosystems ’ selection of Ormat Technologies’ Blue Mountain geothermal plant for Project Vector represents a pivotal demonstration of commercial-scale  enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) integrated into existing power infrastructure. The decision leverages an established plant to reduce non-core capital, accelerate timeline risk reduction, and prioritize validation of subsurf...
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DOE Allocates $10.75 Million for University Geothermal Research and Workforce Training

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
DOE’s $10.75 Million University Push Could Reshape the Geothermal Talent Pipeline Image: Thematic image of a geothermal power plant   The U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office has announced up to $10.75 million for U.S. colleges and universities to support early-stage research and training in subsurface energy development. The program sits inside the University Training and Research framework, and it is designed to strengthen the next generation of energy professionals while advancing research relevant to geothermal, oil and gas, and coal-related subsurface challenges . This announcement matters because it goes beyond a simple grant call. It connects university research, student training, and industry relevance in one funding structure, which is exactly the kind of model geothermal advocates have long argued is needed to accelerate deployment. For the U.S. geothermal sector, the message is clear: talent development is now part of energy infrastruct...
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MB Centuary sells a drilling rig

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
MB Century sells Rig 32 to Webster Energy Services: what the move means for New Zealand geothermal drilling MB Century and Webster Energy Services have agreed the sale of MB Century’s Drillmec HH350 drilling rig, Rig 32, with completion slated for December 2026 after the rig finishes its current campaign for Tūaropaki Power Company. The transaction signals a strategic shift for MB Century,moving away from direct drilling ownership toward concentrating on engineering, reservoir and technical services,while Webster Energy uses the acquisition to deepen its footprint in the New Zealand geothermal market. This article summarises the deal, then drills into the operational, market and workforce implications for New Zealand’s geothermal sector, the strategic logic for both companies, and what the transaction suggests about capacity, competition and future drilling trends. Deal overview and timeline Parties: MB Century (seller) and Webster Energy Services (buyer). - Asset: Drillmec HH350 rig k...
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OrPower 22 and Globeleq Add 70 MW to Kenya Grid

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
OrPower 22 and Globeleq Add 70 MW to Kenya’s Grid Kenya’s geothermal sector has reached another major milestone with the completion of two new power plants at the Menengai geothermal field. Developed by OrPower 22 and Globeleq, the plants add a combined 70 MW to the national grid, reinforcing Kenya’s position as one of the world’s leading geothermal markets.   A long-awaited addition The Menengai project has been under development for nearly a decade, making its completion significant not only for the developers but also for Kenya’s wider power system. The two plants now delivering electricity each contribute 35 MW, bringing the total new capacity from the site to 70 MW.  This is more than a routine capacity expansion. For Kenya, every major geothermal addition helps reduce reliance on weather-sensitive generation and strengthens the country’s ability to provide stable baseload electricity. Menengai’s arrival also shows that large geothermal developments, while slow to ma...
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Superior Energy’s Welltec Deal Boosts Global Geothermal Reach

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Superior Energy’s Welltec Deal Signals a Bigger Push Into Intervention, Completions, and Energy Transition Markets Superior Energy Services ’ planned acquisition of Welltec is a strategically important move that expands its robotic well intervention and completions capabilities while widening its international reach. The deal also gives Superior a stronger foothold in geothermal and carbon capture applications, where Welltec already markets its technology.  A broader technology platform Superior said Welltec brings proprietary robotic, wireline-conveyed well intervention solutions and metal expandable packer technologies, backed by more than 800 active patents and roughly 1,000 employees. The company’s Well Tractor system and related downhole tools are central to its intervention offering, while its MEP products support zonal isolation and well integrity.  That matters because these are not commodity services. They are specialized, high-value technologies that can deepen cus...
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Sage Geosystems SMECI Facility Validates Scalable EGS Power Model

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Sage Geosystems Places SMECI Facility in Service, Validating a Scalable EGS Model Sage Geosystems has moved a step closer to proving that enhanced geothermal systems can be engineered for repeatable, commercial performance. The company announced that its SMECI facility in South Texas has been placed in service, and the results from more than 120 days of operating data are being presented as a validation point for its proprietary EGS approach. For a sector that has long struggled with subsurface unpredictability, water losses, and limited scalability, that is a meaningful milestone. What makes this announcement stand out is not simply that the facility is operating, but what Sage says the operating campaign demonstrated. The company says the project produced consistent reservoir behavior, low water losses, and performance that matched its predictive modeling. In geothermal development, those are the kinds of results that can move a project from promising to financeable. If the claim...
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Chiyoda and Sage Geosystems Advance Next-Generation Geothermal Power

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Chiyoda and Sage Geosystems Advance Next-Generation Geothermal Chiyoda Corporation and Sage Geosystems have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a technical and commercial feasibility study for high-pressure surface facilities tied to Sage’s proprietary enhanced geothermal systems approach. The announcement is an important step for next-generation geothermal because it focuses on the infrastructure needed to turn deep subsurface energy into reliable commercial power. The study is not a full build decision, but it is the kind of engineering work that usually comes before one. It will help determine whether Sage’s pressure-based geothermal concept can be translated into a scalable, bankable power-generation system. What the partnership covers The collaboration centers on the surface equipment required to handle high-temperature, high-pressure fluid produced from wells. Sage will provide key operating inputs, including wellhead pressure, temperature conditions, fluid proper...
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