Geothermal Enhanced Systems
Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) drill two or more wells into hot, impermeable rock and use hydraulic stimulation or precision blasting to create fractures that act as heat exchangers. Water injected down one well circulates through the engineered reservoir and returns up another, carrying heat that drives turbines or provides industrial steam. 3D seismic imaging, fiber-optic sensing, and microseismic monitoring keep stimulation within targeted zones, minimizing induced seismic risk.
Operators like Fervo Energy, AltaRock, and Ormat are co-opting oilfield rigs, directional drilling, and automation to cut costs and bring geothermal to sedimentary basins in Utah, Nevada, Germany, and Australia. Pairing EGS with carbon capture sites or hydrogen hubs provides a firm, emissions-free heat source near heavy industry. Governments view EGS as a jobs transition for oilfield workers, offering grants and tax credits to retool rigs and train crews.
EGS is TRL 6 but still needs proof of multi-year reservoir stability, affordable drilling at >5 km, and public acceptance. DOE’s FORGE program and EU Horizon projects provide shared testbeds to validate technologies, while insurance products are emerging to cover drilling risk. If successful, EGS could unlock terawatts of 24/7 clean energy under regions previously deemed geothermal-poor.
