Geothermal

Magma and hot rocks: Iceland seeks the future of geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is having a moment globally. Iceland is at the fore, with new research that aims to harness heat from volcanoes and superhot formations.

By Maria Gallucci . 22 July 2024

lava flowing from volcano — Lava flows from the Sundhnúkur volcano near Grindavik, Iceland, on June 2, 2024. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Geothermal

Next-generation geothermal will soon power Southern California's grid

Startup Fervo Energy will supply 320 MW of clean, firm power to Southern California Edison from an enhanced geothermal plant under construction in Utah.

By Maria Gallucci . 25 June 2024
Geothermal

Massachusetts kicks off first pilot to shift gas utilities to clean heat

Multiple states see thermal energy networks as a way to clean up gas utilities. Eversource’s pilot project will be an important first test of the concept.

By Jeff St. John . 4 June 2024
Geothermal

Geothermal heat pumps are helping clean up city buildings

Initiatives in Austin, New York City, and beyond are aiming to curb costs and boost adoption of geothermal heating and cooling to reduce CO2 from buildings.

By Maria Gallucci . 29 April 2024
Geothermal

Geothermal cuts emissions and costs at these Minnesota public schools

With federal incentives, the state’s second-largest school district is using geothermal to revamp school heating and trying out a novel aquifer-based system.

By Frank Jossi . 28 March 2024
Geothermal

Geothermal is the hottest thing in clean energy. Here’s why

Advances in next-generation geothermal have policymakers and investors excited about the tech’s promise of “clean, firm” power — though many barriers remain.

By Maria Gallucci . 25 March 2024
Geothermal

Sage Geosystems raises $17M for geothermal energy storage

The Texas startup is building a commercial system that acts like an earthen battery. The idea is to store energy from wind and solar resources to help balance the grid.

By Maria Gallucci . 15 February 2024
Carbon-free buildings

New York will replace gas pipelines to pump clean heat into buildings

A state law has spurred 13 utility pilot projects aimed at creating neighborhoodwide thermal energy networks — a climate strategy gaining traction nationwide.

By Jeff St. John . 16 January 2024
Geothermal

Harnessing the heat beneath our feet: Geothermal's past and future

It's been a niche power source for over a century, but advanced techniques drawn from the oil and gas industry could help geothermal energy hit the mainstream.

By Michael Thomas . 14 December 2023
Geothermal

America's first 'enhanced' geothermal plant just got up and running

Next-generation geothermal could be a huge source of carbon-free power. A first-of-a-kind project from Google and Fervo Energy is a step in that direction.

By Maria Gallucci . 28 November 2023
Geothermal

Fervo Energy breaks ground on next-generation geothermal plant

The startup’s planned 400-megawatt facility in Beaver County, Utah will use “enhanced geothermal” technology to harness hard-to-reach heat sources.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 September 2023