Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label OMV Energie Steiermark Tiefenkraft

Just In

Geothermal Innovation, Superhot Systems, Social License, and the Future of Global Geothermal Energy

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
In this interview, Dr. Amel Barich, Founder & CEO of Geoscience Research and Communications (GRC) , shares insights into the future of geothermal energy, covering superhot geothermal systems, advanced drilling, international collaboration, social license to operate, developing-country opportunities, and the growing role of geothermal in integrated energy systems.  Image : Dr. Amel Barich Founder & CEO, Geoscience Research and Communications (GRC) Geoscientist | Geothermal R&D&I | Social License to Operate Q1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and describe your current role in advancing geothermal innovation? I am a geoscientist and geothermal professional with a background spanning geothermal research and innovation, international collaboration, policy and science diplomacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication. Over the past decade, I have worked from Iceland across major European and international geothermal initiatives, leading collaborative R...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Deep Geothermal Powering Graz: How OMV and Energie Steiermark’s “Tiefenkraft” Project Is Transforming District Heating

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Deep geothermal energy is quietly becoming one of Europe’s most powerful tools for decarbonizing heat, and the new “Tiefenkraft” project by OMV and Energie Steiermark in the Graz region shows exactly why it matters – and how it will work in practice. By: Robert Buluma Why Deep Geothermal Matters Now Across Europe, the heat transition has become the missing piece of the climate puzzle: electricity is decarbonizing fast, but buildings still rely heavily on fossil fuels for heating. District heating systems offer a way to decarbonize entire cities at once, and geothermal energy is uniquely suited because it delivers constant, weather-independent heat. In Graz and Styria, the deep geothermal potential of the subsurface is now being tapped at scale, promising a regional, climate-friendly heat supply that can run 24/7 for decades. The “Tiefenkraft” Project At A Glance “Tiefenkraft” is the name of a joint deep geothermal initiative by OMV and Energie Steiermark focused on the greater Gra...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Popular posts from this blog

Eavor Kleefeld II Permit Boosts Hannover Geothermal Expansion and Deep Heat Development

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Eavor Secures Kleefeld II: A New Milestone for Hannover’s Deep Geothermal Ambitions Image: A Thematic image of The Eavor Project at Geretsried  Eavor’s new Kleefeld II permit marks an important step forward for deep geothermal development in Hannover, reinforcing the city’s position as one of Germany’s most closely watched urban heat-transition markets . The licence covers about 64.5 square kilometers, lasts for three years, and combines the former Buchholz and Kleefeld I exploration areas into a single, larger field that Eavor already controlled. The decision is more than an administrative update. It signals continued confidence in geothermal as a practical, scalable source of district heating in a dense metropolitan region. For Hannover, it also strengthens a project that has been building momentum for several years and could become a reference case for other European cities seeking cleaner, locally produced heat. A New Chapter For Hannover Kleefeld II sits in the northeast of...
Post a Comment
Read More »

XGS Energy IPO: Morgan Stanley, Geothermal Growth, and Fervo’s Market Momentum

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
XGS Energy Weighs IPO After Hiring Morgan Stanley, Chasing Fervo's Geothermal Momentum Geothermal developer XGS Energy has hired Morgan Stanley to evaluate an initial public offering, positioning itself as a potential second geothermal IPO of 2026 after Fervo Energy's blockbuster listing. The move underscores growing investor appetite for clean, firm power technologies as data-center demand and grid reliability concerns reshape the energy investment landscape. The Scoop: Morgan Stanley, IPO Timing, and Market Context In early July 2026, Axios Pro reported that XGS Energy engaged Morgan Stanley to assess a public listing, with company leadership potentially deciding within about a month whether to proceed. The timing is strategic: Fervo Energy's May 2026 IPO created a rare "open window" for geothermal equities, providing valuation benchmarks and investor education that earlier private rounds lacked. For investors, the narrative is straightforward. If Fervo proved t...
Post a Comment
Read More »

85 Degrees Renewable Secures €200M Project Finance Framework to Expand Dutch Geothermal Heat Infrastructure

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
85 Degrees Renewable Secures €200M Project Finance Framework to Accelerate Dutch Geothermal Heat Infrastructure 85 Degrees Renewable has taken a major step in the financing of geothermal energy with a new project finance framework of up to €200 million backed by ING and Rabobank. The facility is designed to support the company’s next phase of development in the Netherlands, including the expansion of its Central Oostland geothermal heat network and the broader growth of its renewable heat infrastructure platform. The announcement is especially significant because it shows that geothermal heat is increasingly being treated as a mature infrastructure asset rather than an early-stage experimental technology. The deal also highlights how geothermal energy is becoming more central to the Dutch energy transition. In a country where greenhouse horticulture is a major economic sector and heat demand remains heavily dependent on natural gas, renewable heat solutions are gaining strategic import...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Arverne’s 70 Million Euro ORANE Financing Boosts Geothermal Growth and Lithium Expansion

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Arverne Finalizes 70 Million Euro ORANE Issue, a Milestone for France’s Geothermal Future Image: A thematic picture of Arvene welcoming a team at their Lithium De France Operations Arverne’s successful completion of its 70 million euro ORANE financing marks more than a capital raise, it signals momentum for one of France’s most ambitious geothermal platforms. Backed by GEOGREEN , Bpifrance ,  ADEME Investissement   Crédit Mutuel Equity , and Eiffel Investment Group , the transaction reinforces confidence in Arverne’s integrated geothermal and geothermal lithium strategy, while giving the company fresh resources to accelerate its Dual Flow plan . A financing round with strategic weight The announcement, made on 24 July 2026, confirms that the ORANE issue was fully subscribed for a total of 70 million euros . For Arverne, this is not just a funding event, it is a validation of a business model built around the full geothermal value chain, from subsurface expertise and drilling...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Geothermal EPC Companies: How Developers Choose the Right Contractor for Projects

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Geothermal EPC Companies: How Developers Choose a Contractor Image: A Thematic image of a geothermal power plant  Geothermal developers choose EPC contractors by combining technical geothermal experience, financial strength, execution credibility, and the ability to manage field-specific risk. In recent awards, the strongest bidders have been those with proven geothermal references, repeat-delivery history, and the ability to package engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning into one bankable offer . Why geothermal EPC is different Geothermal EPC is more complex than standard power plant construction because the contractor must build around a live underground resource. That means the project team has to deal with reservoir uncertainty, steam chemistry, scaling, corrosion, reinjection behavior, plant-field interfaces, and grid interconnection all at once . For developers, this turns EPC selection into a risk-management decision. The contractor is not just a builder; ...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Who Finances Next-Generation Geothermal Projects? Key Investors and Funding Trends

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Who Is Financing the Next Generation of Geothermal Projects? Image : A thematic image of a geothermal power plant  The next generation of geothermal projects is being financed by a wide mix of venture capital firms, strategic corporate investors, commercial banks, institutional funds, and project finance lenders. The financing landscape is changing quickly because geothermal is moving from a niche clean-energy option into a serious infrastructure asset class with the potential to deliver reliable, 24/7 power at scale. Why geothermal finance is changing For years, geothermal struggled to attract large pools of capital because many projects were seen as technically risky, geographically limited, and difficult to scale. That perception is shifting as advanced geothermal technologies, especially enhanced geothermal systems, expand the number of places where geothermal can work. Investors now see a larger addressable market, stronger power demand, and better alignment with the needs of...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Furusato Neden and HEXA Energy Services Boost Japan Geothermal Investment Opportunities

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Furusato Neden and HEXA Energy Services Sign Strategic Agreement to Accelerate Geothermal Investment in Japan Image: The deal is done Japan’s geothermal sector has taken an important step forward following the announcement that Furusato Neden Co., Ltd. and HEXA Energy Services GK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore geothermal investment opportunities. The agreement, announced on 30 July 2026, signals growing confidence in geothermal energy as a long-term solution for Japan’s clean energy transition. The collaboration is especially significant because it brings together two complementary strengths. Furusato Neden contributes geothermal development and operational experience, while HEXA Energy Services adds expertise in renewable energy finance, project development, power purchase agreements, asset management, and electricity aggregation. Together, the two companies are positioning themselves to evaluate existing and future geothermal opportunities in Kumamoto Prefectu...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Geothermal Well Cost 2026: Country Benchmarks, Drilling Costs per Meter, Depth & Reservoir Risk, and Investment Insights

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Geothermal Well Cost by Country (2026): Drivers, Benchmarks, and Investment Implications image: a thematic image of a geothermal field Geothermal drilling remains one of the most capital‑intensive steps in developing clean, dispatchable energy. In 2026 the headline fact is familiar: drilling costs vary sharply between countries and projects. But the deeper story is about why those costs vary, which factors are controllable, and how investors, developers, and policymakers should interpret country‑level benchmarks. This article explains the technical and commercial drivers behind geothermal well expense, surveys the cost landscape across major geothermal markets in 2026, illustrates the dynamics with project examples and recent performance data, and offers practical recommendations for modeling, financing, and policy design. Why geothermal wells are expensive Drilling a geothermal well is not simply “digging a hole.” It is a technically complex, multi‑phase process that combines explorat...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Best US States for Geothermal Investment in 2026: Top Markets, Growth Opportunities, and Investor Insights

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Best US States for Geothermal Investment The best US states for geothermal investment are California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas, with Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Arizona also offering attractive upside depending on whether you want operating assets, early-stage development, or next-generation geothermal exposure. Geothermal is becoming a broader investment story than it was a few years ago. Stronger drilling methods, rising demand for firm clean power, and more state-level policy support are widening the field beyond the traditional western hot spots. Introduction For investors , geothermal is one of the few clean energy technologies that can deliver round-the-clock power with a relatively small land footprint. That reliability is a big advantage in a market where utilities, data centers, and industrial customers increasingly want clean electricity that behaves more like conventional baseload generation. The challenge is that geothermal is highly location-dependent. The qualit...
Post a Comment
Read More »

Philippines Geothermal Drilling: Rufino "Dong" Cotanda Jr. on PGPC, EDC, ThermaPrime, and the Future of Geothermal Energy

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Alphaxioms Exclusive: Inside the Philippines' Geothermal Drilling Success Story , A Conversation with Rufino "Dong" Cotanda Jr. Image : Rufino "Dong" Cotanda Jr The Philippines is the world's third-largest producer of geothermal electricity, with more than 2 GW of installed capacity. Behind this achievement is decades of technical expertise, sustained government support, and some of the world's most experienced geothermal drilling professionals. One of those professionals is Rufino "Dong" Cotanda Jr., a drilling veteran with over 45 years of experience in both oil & gas and geothermal operations. Having worked with Saudi Aramco , Desco , Unocal, Chevron , and now the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), Dong has helped shape drilling programs across multiple continents. In this exclusive interview with Alphaxioms, he discusses the evolution of geothermal drilling in the Philippines, the technologies improving well performance,...
Post a Comment
Read More »