Fervo Energy secured $206 million in funding to develop what will be the world's largest enhanced geothermal power plant in Utah, with initial operations expected in 2024 and expansion in 2028, leveraging advanced drilling technology and significant investment from notable backers like Breakthrough Energy Catalyst.
Fervo Energy successfully drilled a deep, hot geothermal well reaching 15,765 feet and 520°F in just 16 days, setting new performance records and demonstrating the scalability of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The results support the potential for large-scale, deep geothermal energy deployment beyond the western US, with independent verification indicating significant thermal energy reserves and capacity for over 5 GW of development. This advancement positions geothermal as a key contributor to the US's clean energy future amid rising power demands.
Geothermal startup Fervo Energy has achieved a significant technical milestone in its efforts to tap into geothermal energy using oil drilling technology. Fervo successfully completed a 30-day test at its commercial pilot plant in Nevada, drilling down to 7,700 feet and achieving internal temperatures of 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The test demonstrated the potential to generate 3.5 megawatts of electricity production. Fervo plans to construct a 400-megawatt project by 2028, leveraging drilling technology from the oil and gas industry to produce carbon-free energy resources. The company has also partnered with Google to develop a geothermal power project, aiming to support Google's goal of operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030.