Ijen’s Blind Geothermal System vs. Zanskar’s AI-Discovered Resources: Two Models for Finding Hidden Heat The geothermal industry is entering a new phase in which the most valuable resources may no longer be the fields marked by obvious hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, or steaming ground. Increasingly, developers are targeting “blind” or hidden geothermal systems,reservoirs that lack clear surface expressions but can still contain the temperature, permeability, and fluid needed for commercial power generation. Two examples illustrate how different parts of the industry are approaching this challenge. In Indonesia, the Blawan-Ijen geothermal field in East Java was developed through geological interpretation, magnetotelluric imaging, conceptual modelling, and drilling. The project is now operating commercially, with its first phase delivering approximately 35 MW to the Java grid under a 30-year power purchase agreement. In the United States, Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals is using...
From Waste Heat to Power: Indonesia’s Lahendong Breakthrough and the Future of Geothermal Efficiency By: Robert Buluma In the global transition toward clean, resilient, and sustainable energy systems, geothermal power has consistently stood apart. Unlike solar or wind, it does not depend on weather conditions. Unlike fossil fuels, it does not emit significant greenhouse gases. It is stable, reliable, and—perhaps most importantly—immensely underutilized. Yet even within geothermal, a quiet inefficiency has persisted for decades: waste heat . Now, Indonesia is rewriting that narrative. A landmark agreement between Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) , PLN Indonesia Power , and Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) signals a pivotal shift—not just for Indonesia, but for the global geothermal sector. The trio has finalized electricity tariff terms for the Lahendong Bottoming Unit , a 15 MW geothermal expansion project that transforms previously wasted heat into usable electric...