Skip to main content

Posts

Colorado Opens Final $12 Million Grant Round to Accelerate Geothermal Electricity Projects

Colorado Launches Round 4 of Geothermal Energy Grant Program: $12 Million Available for Electricity Project By:  Robert Buluma Colorado is accelerating its transition to clean energy with the launch of Round 4 of the Geothermal Energy Grant Program (GEGP) ) , offering $12 million in funding to support geothermal electricity development across the state. This latest round, anticipated to be the final one for the program, prioritizes projects that significantly advance geothermal electricity generation. Who Can Apply? The program is open to a wide range of applicants, including: Local governments and political subdivisions of Colorado Tribal governments Corporations registered in Colorado Gas and electric service public utilities Other eligible entities with CEO approval Applicants must carefully review eligibility criteria in the Request for Applications (RFA) documents to ensure their projects qualify. Eligible Projects Round 4 funding focuses exclusively on geothermal ...

Deep Geothermal Energy in Bremen and Delmenhorst: LBEG Grants New Exploration Permits

Deep Geothermal Energy in Bremen and Delmenhorst:  LBEG Grants New Exploration Permits By:  Robert Buluma The State Office for Mining, Energy, and Geology (LBEG) has granted OMV Green Energy GmbH  from Vienna three new permits to explore geothermal energy from depths of more than 400 meters. The fields Delmenhorst, Bremen-West, and Bremen-Ost cover a total of nearly 192 square kilometers and span two federal states. Area Distribution and Duration Bremen-West and Bremen-Ost : 166.5 km², from Borgfeld to Sodenmatt, valid until October 14, 2026 . Delmenhorst : 25 km², up to Brinkum, valid until October 14, 2027 . In Bremen, the three new fields now cover 57 percent of the city area . Across the state of Bremen, the four exploration permits account for more than 57.5 percent of the state’s area . Permit Process OMV Green Energy GmbH submitted the applications to LBEG. After comments from Bremen, Delmenhorst, and the district authorities, LBEG approved the permits...

TOYO Advances Next-Generation Geothermal Power with Coaxial Closed-Loop Technology in Japan

TOYO Selected for Feasibility Study on Coaxial Closed-Loop Geothermal Technology in Japan Toyo Engineering advances next-generation geothermal power solutions with JOGMEC approval By:  Robert Buluma October 27, 2025 Toyo Engineering Corporation (TOYO) has been officially selected by the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) to conduct a feasibility study under the "Next-Generation Geothermal Power Generation Technology" program. TOYO’s proposal, titled “Feasibility Study on Coaxial Closed-Loop Geothermal Power Generation Technology in Japan” , has been approved for commissioning, marking a major step toward the domestic implementation of next-generation geothermal systems. Unlike conventional geothermal power, which relies on groundwater or natural geothermal reservoirs, the coaxial closed-loop system can generate electricity wherever heat sources exist, across a variety of geological conditions. The system works by circulating a heat transfer fluid,...

DeepU Laser Drilling: Pioneering a Cleaner, Cheaper Geothermal Future

DeepU  Laser Drilling Technology Enters Field Testing: A Leap Toward Cleaner, Cheaper Geothermal Energy By :  Robert Buluma October 29, 2025 The quest to make geothermal energy more accessible and sustainable has taken a major step forward. The DeepU project , a European research and innovation initiative, has announced that its cutting-edge laser drilling technology is now ready for field testing , after 44 months of intensive research, laboratory experiments, and simulations. The DeepU system uses a laser beam combined with a supercritical nitrogen stream to drill through rock without physical contact, a breakthrough that promises to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and minimize the environmental impact of deep drilling operations. Funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder programme under Horizon Europe, DeepU is coordinated by the University of Padua and RED SRL, in collaboration with Prevent GmbH, Fraunhofer IAPT, Geoserv Ltd, the University of Wroc...

Kenya’s Geothermal Power Fuels Africa’s First Green Ammonia Revolution

From Steam to Soil:  KenGen and Kaishan Pioneer Kenya’s Green Ammonia Revolution By:  Robert Buluma Kenya is taking a bold step toward green industrialization. In a landmark collaboration, KenGen and Kaishan  Group have teamed up to develop Africa’s first large-scale geothermal-powered green ammonia and fertilizer plant at Olkaria in Naivasha. The project, valued at around $800 million , will utilize 165 MW of geothermal steam and power supplied by KenGen under a 30-year agreement. Kaishan’s subsidiary, Kaishan Terra Green Ammonia Limited , will construct and operate the facility, which is expected to produce over 100,000 tons of green ammonia annually—processed into fertilizer products like urea and ammonium nitrate. Transforming Kenya’s Energy and Agricultural Landscape This project marks a turning point for Kenya’s geothermal sector. It extends the value of geothermal energy beyond electricity generation, proving that steam can fuel not just turbines—but also ...

Germany’s Laufzorn II Geothermal Heating Plant Achieves Positive Results from First Drilled Well

“The Water Is Hot!” – Successful Geothermal Drilling in Laufzorn Powers Grünwald’s Energy Future By: Robert Buluma Grünwald, October 23, 2025 – A dramatic plume of white steam over Laufzorn recently caught the attention of residents in nearby Oberhaching, prompting several calls to the local fire department. But there was no fire — the vapor marked a breakthrough moment for renewable energy in the region. “The water is hot!” announced Grünwald’s Mayor Jan Neusiedl (CSU) after the first geothermal drilling at Laufzorn II struck success. The discovery marks a major step forward in the community’s plan to secure sustainable heating for future generations. A Major Milestone for Renewable Heat The successful test pumping confirmed results similar to the earlier Laufzorn I project — with temperatures well above 100°C and a flow rate exceeding 100 liters per second. These promising figures ensure the project’s technical viability and future operational stability. Mayor Neusiedl highlighted th...

Indonesia’s First 50:50 Geothermal Joint Venture Takes Shape — PT Daya Mas Bumi Sentosa Officially Launched

In a landmark move that signals Indonesia’s deepening commitment to renewable energy, PT DSSR Daya Mas Sakti — part of the Sinar Mas Group  — and PT FirstGen Geothermal Indonesia , a subsidiary of the Energy Development Corporation ( EDC ) , have officially formed a joint venture company named PT Daya Mas Bumi Sentosa . By:  Robert Buluma This follows the signing ceremony held in August, marking the official wrap-up of one of the most anticipated geothermal partnerships in the region. The new company, PT Daya Mas Bumi Sentosa , represents the first-ever 50:50 geothermal partnership of its kind in Indonesia — a perfect balance of local expertise and international technical excellence. A Powerful Collaboration for a Sustainable Future The newly formed entity will spearhead the exploration and development of six geothermal prospects across Indonesia , with a combined development capacity of 440 megawatts (MW) . This strategic partnership aims to accelerate the nation’s shift ...