2025 Alaska RIG presents "Advances in EGS: What's in it for Alaska"

Description
John Eichelberger, the Geothermal Program Manager of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys
Hot Dry Rock (HDR) geothermal technology began at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1970s, aiming to create artificial geothermal reservoirs—now called Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)—where natural ones didn’t exist. The concept proved that circulating water through fractures in hot granite could generate energy, but drilling costs outweighed returns at the time. Advances in drilling and fracturing from the oil and gas industry may now make EGS viable, with promising projects underway in Utah. If successful, this could open vast geothermal potential in Alaska, especially in magma-rich regions, though key performance questions remain.
Location
ZOOM
Date
Introduction to Webinar presentation

Hot Dry Rock (HDR) was born at Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL), Los Alamos, New Mexico in the 70s. Succeed would have greatly expanded opportunities for geothermal energy through development of artificial geothermal reservoirs [now called Enhanced or Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS)] where natural ones did not exist. I was very lucky to witness its early days as a volcanologist – essentially the study of very hot rock – in my first job there after graduate school. The project invented and proved the concept of circulating water through artificial fractures in hot granite between two boreholes to extract energy. The site is on the rim of Valles Caldera, one of three giant Late Pleistocene Calderas in the United States. A great deal was learned about the mechanics of fracturing rock, about being able to map fracturing in 4D with seismic arrays, and about directional drilling. But the drilling cost more than the energy was worth. Meanwhile, the oil and gas industry, aided by developments in the DOE laboratories, greatly advanced both drilling technology and hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), to the extent that the US became a net exporter of natural gas. Could Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), the reincarnation of HDR, now succeed where its predecessor failed? After years of preparation by two exciting projects in the Mineral Mountains of Utah, we will soon learn the answer. According to all the news reports, the answer is a big yes, but we do not know how fast the thermal output will decline or how much water will leak away. Meanwhile, most geothermalists have forgotten what was obvious at Los Alamos and should be obvious in the Mineral Mountains: that the heat is coming from nearby magma. If the most optimistic of claims for EGS are fulfilled, much of Alaska will be fair game. If not, Alaska still has great geothermal potential because we have a lot of magma (some assembly required). The jury is still out, but geothermal in Alaska should have a bright future.

2025 August Hawaii RIG Discussion

Description
Please join our next virtual meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 ⋅ 5pm – 6pm (Central Time - Chicago)
12Noon-1PM Hawaii Time Zone
Location
ZOOM
Date
Pre-Registration is Required

Pre-approval registration process

Geothermal Rising TXLAOK Regional Interest Group is hosting Enhanced Geothermal Systems: Bigger, Deeper, Hotter

Description
Presentation by Carlos Menendez-Fervo Energy Drilling Engineer
Carlos has been with Fervo Energy for 2 years. Prior to Fervo Energy, he spent 7 years in the oil & gas industry, drilling primarily in Permian Horizontals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and graduated in 2016
Location
Join us at the Seasons 52 842 W Sam Houston Pkwy N, Houston, Texas 77024
Date

The Event Fee is $25 per person

REGISTER HERE

GR Nevada RIG collaborates with NPGS and GYPG

Description
Join us for an evening of networking, refreshments, and great conversation with fellow geothermal professionals! This relaxed gathering is a fantastic opportunity to connect with peers, share ideas, and build relationships within the geothermal energy community.
Location
Craft Wine & Beer - 22 Martin St, Reno, Nevada
Date

Geothermal Rising Alaska RIG Webinar

Description
Geothermal Rising Alaska RIG Webinar Presents: “Fort Wainwright Exploration: Results, Learnings, and Next Steps” Webinar presented by TEVERRA.
Location
ZOOM 9:00 AM Alaska Time
Date
Registration & Abstract

More Details

CO RIG Hosts 2nd Annual Field Trip

Description
Join us for our second Geothermal Rising Colorado RIG geothermal field trip through Colorado's Front Range, as we unravel the geological features that set up potential geothermal resources deep in the Denver Basin. This field trip delves into the heart of the earth's thermal energy, focusing on the Lyons Formation and Pre-Cambrian basement outcrops along the Front Range for their geothermal energy potential. Additionally, we will spend some time at the start of the trip learning about ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) by touring the newly constructed East Classroom building at Colorado School of Mines and the GSHP system that was engineered to heat and cool this building.
Location
Colorado School of Mines Campus
Date
Registration & Abstract

REGISTER HERE

Abstract

GR TXLAOK RIG Hosts the Reception at the Geothermal Research Consortium

Description
The Geothermal Research Consortium in collaboration with the HotRock research consortium, will address the broadest range of research and engineering topics, from deep within the subsurface to the consumer. Such as subsurface geology and engineering, surface power generation, grids, economics, and policy direct heat applications for heating and cooling, agriculture, etc.
Location
University of Texas Pickle Research Campus
Date
More Information

Registration

AGENDA

2025 PNW-RIG-“Next Generation Geothermal Power in the Pacific Northwest"

Description
You are invited to our next Geothermal Rising PNW-RIG in-person event, “Next Generation Geothermal Power in the Pacific Northwest. We will meet at the Seattle Climate Hub in Seattle on Thursday July 17 from 3:30pm-5pm. This event is being held in conjunction with Seattle Climate Week. Trenton Cladouhos, PhD will give a talk on advances in geothermal technology and on the potential for geothermal power generation in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Cladouhos is the Vice President of Geothermal Resource Development for Quaise Energy. He has extensive experience in the geothermal industry, having served at companies such as AltaRock and Cyrq before joining Quaise.

Venue: Seattle Climate Hub, 1215 Fourth Ave, 15th floor, Seattle WA 3:30-5:00pm
Networking starts at 3:30 and the keynote talk starting at 4pm.
There is no charge for the event, but we expect it to be sold out.
Location
Seattle Climate Hub
Date

Please register today at https://lu.ma/agjob24u

Colorado GR RIG arranged a visit to the US DOE-funded GLADE Project

Description
The Colorado GR RIG is excited to announce a visit to the US DOE-funded GLADE Project, arranged in coordination with Oxy. This rig site visit is scheduled for Thursday,26 June, starting at 1:00 pm in Platteville, Colorado. The visit will be about 1-hr and will be led by Oxy. Registration is limited to 20 attendees, so if you’re interested, sign up quickly! The GR RIG will send out details on the meeting location, agenda, and rig site visit requirements to the registration list before this event.
Location
Platteville, Colorado
Date

PNW RIG Presents "Exploring the Techno-Economics of Geothermal Electricity in Washington State”

Description
The Washington Geologic Information Portal has detailed data resources, freely available, that can inform technical and economic feasibility analyses of geothermal energy projects. Dr. Lee Florea, a program manager at the WA Dept of Natural Resources has kindly offered to provide us with an unofficial overview of the portal’s content. Jonathan Pezzino, principal & owner of SWS, contributes to NREL's open source geothermal techno-economic simulator GEOPHIRES. Jonathan will demonstrate example models constructed using GEOPHIRES with data downloaded from the WA Geologic Portal. His examples will include some of the more promising geothermal resources in the state. Join in discussion with other members of the Pacific Northwest RIG as we examine these tools for modeling the techno-economic feasibility of geothermal power plants.
Location
ZOOM 2PM PST
Date