Lithium Valley – A Geothermal, Critical Mineral, & Manufacturing Ecosystem
Lithium Valley, located in Southern California, demonstrates how agriculture, geothermal, critical minerals, and manufacturing can come together to develop a vertically integrated ecosystem unlike anywhere else in the world. Discover how policy, education, and collaboration with industry are creating new supply chains and new pathways for economic and workforce growth across the region!
Speakers:
- County of Imperial Deputy CEO of Natural Resources & Lithium Ombudsman, Bari Bean
- California State Assemblyman, District 36, Jeff Gonzalez
- County of Imperial Supervisor, Ryan E. Kelley
Committing to the Drill Bit: Creative Interventions for De-Risking Geothermal Financing
Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) share drilling technologies with the shale fraccing industry, making them a compelling option for policymakers looking to leverage existing American supply chains to drive decarbonization at scale. But the market structures of these two sectors differ significantly. Policymakers interested in supporting rapid EGS deployment should understand these distinctions and respond appropriately rather than expecting a geothermal boom to emerge spontaneously simply because EGS projects rely on an already-proven technology suite.
In this talk, we will outline the important distinctions between EGS and shale fraccing from a markets perspective, and outline how local, state, and federal policy interventions can help overcome these differences and drive the EGS market to scale. It will also outline current actions being taken by CPE and Mountain West states to implement these interventions.
Speaker: Michael O'Connor – Center for Public Enterprise (CPE)
Unlocking SuperHot Geothermal: Lessons from Newberry’s 331 °C EGS and Path to Terawatt Scale
Mazama Energy’s Newberry pilot achieved record EGS temperatures at 331 °C (629 °F), demonstrating robust well construction, stimulation, and reservoir connectivity in complex volcanic formations. This presentation will review injector and producer well designs, drilling performance across diverse lithologies, and the proprietary Thermal Lattice™ stimulation process. We will also cover operational challenges, safety outcomes, and diagnostic tools for real-time fracture mapping and temperature monitoring. Finally, we will outline our strategy for horizontal wells and SuperHot Rock development (>400 °C) to deliver terawatts of dispatchable, carbon-free power at globally competitive costs.
Speaker: Gabrijel Grubac, Mazama Energy
Advancing the Next-Generation Geothermal Economy in Utah
Clean Air Task Force
Next-Generation Geothermal: Considerations and Opportunities for Responsible Development
This presentation by the World Resources Institute (WRI) provides an in-depth landscape assessment of next-generation geothermal technologies and their potential role in achieving a 100% clean electricity system. It highlights the need for increased federal support, outlines key environmental and permitting considerations, and emphasizes the value of clean, firm geothermal power for grid reliability, environmental performance, and national energy transition goals.
Speaker: Katrina McLaughlin, World Resources Institute (WRI)
Powering the Future: What 50 Years of Enhanced Geothermal Systems Teaches Us Today
Over the past five decades, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) have transformed from a novel concept into a key pillar of clean, firm energy innovation. From the first experiments at Fenton Hill to today’s cutting-edge, high-temperature applications, EGS has evolved dramatically - paving the way for scalable, reliable geothermal energy. To better understand this progress, Clean Air Task Force commissioned a global trends report that captures the technical, economic, and geographic trajectory of more than 100 EGS projects worldwide.
Speaker: Angela Seligman, Clean Air Task Force
Technology Roadmap: A Pathway Forward for Superhot Rock Geothermal
Clean Air Task Force’s SHR Technology Road Map was developed as a product of technology gap reports, strategy sessions, and interviews with experts across the field. The report sets out the coordinated steps that governments, researchers, investors, and industry must take to move superhot rock geothermal from R&D to deployment.
It outlines six phases: Establish Governance, Identify Resources, Fill Technical Gaps, Iterate, Refine & Reexamine, Deploy, and Facilitate Lifecycle. Jenna will show how these phases connect technical progress with funding, policy, standards, and collaboration to unlock this global, always-available, low-carbon energy resource.
Speaker: Jenna Hill, Clean Air Task Force
