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

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...

Europe's Geothermal Transition: Why Repurposing Oil Wells Isn't as Simple as It Sounds

Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Applications Insights from Our Interview with Christi on EGS, Storage, and Europe’s Energy Transition Christi is a Geothermal Resource Engineer and PhD Researcher, specializing in deep geothermal systems, closed-loop systems, well repurposing (especially converting old oil/gas wells for geothermal use), Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), and Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers (DBHE). What if the thousands of oil and gas wells scattered across Europe could become the backbone of the geothermal transition? In our recent interview with Christi, a leading researcher involved in the TRANSGEO project, we explored the technical, economic, and regulatory realities of repurposing hydrocarbon wells for geothermal applications , particularly for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), thermal storage, and district heating integration. From case studies like Groß Schönebeck to regional analysis in Lausitz, Christi offered a grounded and technical perspective o...

Teverra's AI-Powered Breakthrough: Revolutionizing Clean Energy Drilling with Real-Time Risk Management

Teverra's  AI-Driven Innovation Set to Revolutionize Clean Energy Well Drilling  By:  Robert Buluma Department of Energy Awards $1.2 Million Grant for Real-Time Drilling Risk Management  ATLANTA, January 30, 2025 — In a groundbreaking move for clean energy technology, Teverra LLC has secured a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The funding will propel the advancement of Teverra’s Drilling Dynamics Geomechanics (DDG™) technology into real-time capabilities, setting the stage for a transformative era in subsurface drilling operations.   Geothermal drilling, For day ones they will attest that it could take atleast half the amount of coming up with a geothermal power plant. However this is no longer the case when we think of this groundbreaking breakthrough which was recently unearthed Spearheaded by Dr. Hamed Soroush,  Teverra's founder and CEO, this initiative promises to tackle some of the most critical challenges in CO2 stora...

China National Petroleum Corporation Geothermal Heating Facility Approved

China's Largest Geothermal Heating Project Cluster in Jing-Jin-Ji Takes a Leap Forward By: Robert Buluma Photo Credit: Theodore on unsplash On July 29, 2024, a significant milestone was reached in China's quest for clean energy. The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) announced the approval of two pilot geothermal heating projects in Xianghe County and Dachang Hui Autonomous County. These projects, part of the largest geothermal heating cluster in the Jing-Jin-Ji (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) region, mark a significant step forward in China's clean energy transition. Geothermal energy, with its abundant reserves, stable output, high utilization efficiency, and economic feasibility, stands out as a key player in China’s renewable energy strategy. Unlike fossil fuels, geothermal energy does not emit greenhouse gases, making it an ideal candidate for the country’s ambitious carbon reduction goals under the "Dual Carbon" strategy.  Recognizing the potential of geoth...

White Bark's Quensland Portfolio To Utilize Geothermal Using Green Hydrogen

White Bark 's Ambitious Geothermal Vision: Pioneering Australia's Future in Clean Energy By:  Robert Buluma In the vast and resource-rich lands of Queensland's Cooper Basin ,  White Bark Energy is spearheading a transformation that could redefine Australia’s energy landscape. With its recent acquisition of an additional 1,250 sub-blocks for geothermal exploration, the company is not just expanding its footprint but solidifying its role as a leader in the nation's clean energy future. White Bark Energy  latest exploration permit, a sprawling 3,873 square kilometers of geothermal potential, represents more than just new territory. It’s a strategic move in a well-calculated plan to harness the untapped geothermal power beneath Queensland's surface. This new permit complements  White Bark's two existing licenses, creating a robust geothermal network that aligns with the Australian Government’s aggressive push towards renewable energy. The government’s $11.2 billio...

Colorado Vouches On Geothermal and Green Hydrogen

Colorado's Bold Leap Toward a Renewable Future: Geothermal and Hydrogen Power in the Spotlight By:  Robert Buluma In a monumental stride toward a greener future, Colorado is ambitiously setting its sights on achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. While wind and solar have long been the champions of this green revolution, the state is now exploring the untapped potential of geothermal and hydrogen power to bridge the final gap in its renewable energy quest. This pivotal shift promises not only to revolutionize the state's energy landscape but also to offer a fascinating glimpse into the future of sustainable power. A New Dawn: Geothermal Energy Rising Colorado's geological makeup, rich with subsurface heat, positions it as a prime candidate for geothermal energy development. Governor Jared Polis, a staunch advocate for geothermal, underscores the state's exceptional potential: "We happen to have great subsurface heat in Colorado." This seismological advantage...

Total Energies Nominates Alphaxioms For The Startupper of The Year Challenge,Lets Vote❤️🎉👏

Alphaxioms: Pioneering the Path to a Sustainable Future By:  Teflon Don As the world grapples with the urgent need to combat climate change, innovative solutions and expert consultancy in renewable energy are paramount. Enter Alphaxioms , a dynamic player in the renewable energy sector, offering cutting-edge consultancy services across various domains including geothermal, solar, wind, energy evacuation, nuclear, hydrogen, and lithium.  Alphaxioms has been instrumental in driving sustainable energy projects, helping companies transition to greener practices and technologies. Why Alphaxioms ? With a proven track record,  Alphaxioms has been at the forefront of renewable energy consultancy. Their expertise spans multiple renewable energy sources, ensuring that projects not only come to fruition but do so with maximum efficiency and sustainability. Here’s how they are making an impact: Geothermal Energy : Unlocking the earth’s heat for clean power. Solar Energy : Harnessing...

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

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...

TAQA Geothermal and Strataphy Collaborates To Advance Saudi Arabia Geothermal Cooling

PrimeLoop and the Geothermal Cooling Revolution in Saudi Arabia Image: Pictorial Views Saudi Arabia is entering a new phase in cooling technology, and geothermal cooling is becoming one of the most compelling solutions in that transition. At the center of this shift is PrimeLoop, Strataphy’s proprietary geothermal cooling system, which is being positioned as a commercial answer to one of the region’s most urgent infrastructure challenges: how to cool buildings efficiently in extreme heat while reducing electricity demand and water use. This matters because cooling is not a minor utility in the Gulf. It is a core operating cost, a grid stability issue, and an environmental pressure point all at once. In a country where ambient temperatures can push conventional air-conditioning systems to their limits, the search for smarter cooling is no longer theoretical. It is now a commercial necessity. PrimeLoop is interesting because it does not simply improve on conventional cooling. It rethinks...

University of Aberdeen and RGU partner to accelerate geothermal heating deployment

University of Aberdeen and RGU join forces to accelerate geothermal energy research and heat-network deployment Image: Lucy Leiper, Director of Research, Innovation & Enterprise at the University of Aberdeen and Christina Laing, Business Development Manager at Robert Gordon University The University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University (RGU) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to explore collaborative research, training and commercial activity in geothermal energy and low-carbon heating. This strategic partnership aims to combine subsurface expertise, drilling and modelling capabilities, supply-chain development, and skills training to accelerate geothermal deployment and support the just transition to net-zero heating across Scotland and beyond. Why this partnership matters for the geothermal sector Geothermal heat offers a predictable, baseload source of low-carbon thermal energy that can decarbonise district heating, industry process heat and building heating demand. Scotl...

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

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...

Kaishan and Halliburton Boost Geothermal EGS, Green Hydrogen, and Green Ammonia Projects

Kaishan , Halliburton Team Up on Advanced Geothermal, Green Fuel Projects Kaishan Group and Halliburton have deepened their cooperation with a strategic memorandum of understanding centered on advanced geothermal development, especially enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), along with green hydrogen and green ammonia opportunities. The deal builds on earlier Indonesia drilling work and signals a broader push to combine Halliburton’s high-end well-construction capabilities with Kaishan’s geothermal equipment and project-development platform. Partnership Background The relationship did not begin with the July 2026 memorandum. In February 2026, Halliburton said it had won a multiyear contract from KS Orka Renewables , part of Kaishan’s wider corporate group, to support geothermal well construction at the PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power and PT Sokoria Geothermal Indonesia projects in Indonesia. That work covered directional drilling, cementing, drilling fluids, and drill bits across several...

Geothermal Steam Output Gap, Decline, Integrity, and Life Extension

The Disparity Between Anticipated and Actual Geothermal Steam Output Image: thematic image of the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant in Iceland  Geothermal energy is one of the most dependable baseload renewables, but the gap between expected steam output and real production remains a central industry problem. Exploration models are always incomplete, and once wells are onstream, pressure decline, scaling, corrosion, and thermal breakthrough steadily erode performance. Why Forecasts Miss the Mark Exploration depends on sparse wells, surface manifestations, geophysical surveys, and geochemical indicators, so it only samples a small part of a complex reservoir. Reservoirs are rarely uniform, and permeability, porosity, mineralogy, and thermal conductivity can vary sharply over short distances, which means early temperature or chemistry readings can overstate how much of the reservoir will actually support long-term production. Phase behavior adds another layer of uncertainty. In two-...

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

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; ...

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

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...

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

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...

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

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...