Quaise Energy's Breakthrough in Geothermal Drilling Technology

By Muhammad OsamaReviewed by Laura ThomsonJun 13 2025

In a full-scale demonstration on an oil rig near Houston, Texas, Quaise Energy showcased its new drilling technique capable of reaching superhot geothermal resources 2 to 12 miles beneath the Earth's surface. This advancement represents a significant step toward harnessing previously inaccessible thermal energy as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, offering a promising solution to meet growing global energy demands.

The Potential of Deep Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy, the natural heat emanating from the Earth's interior, has long been recognized as a renewable resource. However, its global contribution remains limited due to challenges and costs associated with accessing the deepest, hottest zones underground. Conventional drilling, designed mainly for oil and gas, struggles to penetrate beyond a few miles, as extreme temperatures and pressures can degrade equipment.

The real opportunity lies in the supercritical zone, where rock temperatures become extremely high, allowing water to exist in a high-energy, steam-like state that carries significantly more thermal energy than regular hot water. Unfortunately, traditional drilling methods are not economically viable for reaching these superhot rock formations, restricting geothermal development to surface-accessible regions like Iceland.

Quaise Energy's Revolutionary Drilling Technology

To address these issues, Quaise Energy presented an innovative solution by replacing mechanical drilling techniques with millimeter-wave electromagnetic energy, similar to high-powered microwaves, to melt and vaporize rock in place. Their approach enables the creation of deeper, more resilient boreholes that can withstand extreme conditions, potentially unlocking geothermal energy on a global scale.

Unlike conventional mechanical drills, which face limitations due to underground temperatures and pressures, the company's method utilizes a gyrotron device to generate high-powered millimeter waves that effectively melt granite rock, creating boreholes without the wear and tear typical of traditional methods. Early laboratory tests at MIT demonstrated the feasibility of this technique by successfully drilling holes in basalt.

In a recent demonstration at a full-scale oil rig operated by the global drilling company Nabors, researchers drilled a 10-foot-deep hole into a granite core encased in metal. They extended this hole using 100 kilowatts of millimeter-wave power, roughly equivalent to the energy output of a standard car engine. Quaise also plans to deploy a more powerful one-megawatt gyrotron within the next two years to reach commercially viable depths.

Additionally, the company is preparing for a July field test in Marble Falls, Texas, where a smaller, more agile rig will drill multiple holes 130 meters (approximately 425 feet) deep into natural granite outcrops, supporting rapid iteration and optimization of drilling parameters.

Overcoming Engineering Challenges

Beyond drilling technology, the energy company actively addresses broader scientific and engineering challenges essential for harnessing superhot geothermal energy. In collaboration with academic partners such as the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, they advanced the understanding of how supercritical water interacts with deep rock formations, knowledge that is crucial for maximizing heat extraction efficiency.

Their in-house engineering team is also developing specialized geothermal power plant designs capable of withstanding the extreme conditions found at these depths. These efforts offer valuable insights into plant architectures optimized for superhot geothermal environments, aiming to ensure reliable and cost-effective electricity generation.

Strategically, the company categorized global geothermal resources into three tiers based on depth and temperature. Initial deployments will target Tier 1 locations, such as the Newberry Volcano in Oregon, where superhot rock is relatively accessible. Moving forward, their team aims to reach Tier 2 and 3 resources up to 12 miles underground, which could provide clean, continuous power to over 90% of the world's population.

Potential Applications and Industry Impact

This novel drilling technology has significant potential for the cleantech sector by providing a renewable, reliable, and abundant energy source that is independent of weather or geographical constraints. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal energy can deliver continuous baseload power, making it an important component in the global shift away from fossil fuels.

Quaise Energy's millimeter-wave drilling method overcomes conventional techniques' depth and durability limitations, enabling access to geothermal resources in previously unreachable regions. This advancement could accelerate the adoption of clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance energy security on a global scale.

Toward a Sustainable Energy Future

The advancement of millimeter-wave drilling technology marks a key step toward clean energy innovation. By unlocking the Earth's vast thermal reserves, Quaise Energy is paving the way for the utilization of renewable geothermal energy, potentially available anywhere on the planet. This advancement could accelerate the adoption of clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance energy security on a global scale.

The company's recent full-scale demonstration represents a major milestone toward the commercialization of superdeep geothermal energy. With plans to scale up drilling power and depth, they are building the foundation for a transformative energy solution. As the world accelerates its transition to low-carbon energy, this work could play an important role in shaping a sustainable, scalable, and resilient global energy future.

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