Amid the growing global need for clean, reliable, high-density energy, Mazama Energy has developed the world’s hottest enhanced geothermal power (EGS) system, reaching a temperature of 331 °C at its pilot plant located in Newberry, Oregon.
Thermal Lattice™ Technology
To achieve this record, the company used its Thermal Lattice™ technology, a geothermal stimulation technique inspired by hydraulic fracturing, but designed for superheated rock environments. This technology enabled the creation of complex fractures and improved connectivity between wells, maintaining well integrity even under extreme thermal conditions.
The system achieved outstanding operational results:
- Drilling penetration up to 100 feet per hour
- Sustained advances of 76 feet per hour in granite, basalt, and granodiorite
- Drilled 2,760 ft through volcanic formations with no tool or motor failures
Scalability from pilot to mass generation
After validating its technology at the demonstration site, Mazama plans to scale up with a 15 MW pilot by 2026, followed by a 200 MW project in the same region. In parallel, the company is looking to explore horizontal wells and boreholes in rocks above 400 °C, which would allow a tenfold increase in energy density and an 80% reduction in the number of wells required.
These advances could transform geothermal geothermal energy into a competitive, dispatchable and global solution, capable of powering critical infrastructure such as data centers, factories, power grids and entire cities.
Why is this so important?
The rise of artificial intelligence artificial intelligenceThe rise of artificial intelligence, data centers and industrial electrification has intensified the demand for a constant, clean and efficient energy source. Unlike traditional renewable sources such as solar or wind, whose production is intermittent, geothermal offers continuous generation 24/7, without depending on the weather or the time of day.
This achievement is a major step towards making clean, consistent and cheap energy a reality on a massive scale, making it an ideal solution for the energy demands of electricity-intensive technologies such as data centers and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Source: Mazama Energy via Globenewswire