In a groundbreaking demonstration just outside of Houston, Quaise Energy unveiled its cutting-edge drilling technology that could potentially transform the energy landscape by harnessing geothermal energy on a massive scale. The company, which was founded only seven years ago, aims to prove that the heat beneath our feet is a reliable and scalable source of renewable energy, capable of replacing fossil fuels forever. With support from major players in the energy sector, including Nabors and the U.S. Department of Energy, Quaise is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in clean energy technology.
Unlocking the Potential of Superhot, Superdeep Geothermal Energy
“Geothermal energy is available everywhere on massive scales,” says Carlos Araque, CEO and co-founder of Quaise Energy. The energy stored beneath the Earth’s surface is vast and largely untapped. According to Araque, “If you take all fossil, all nuclear, and all other forms of renewable energy combined, they’re not even a millionth of a millionth of the thermal stores of energy below the Earth’s surface.” This immense geothermal resource remains largely out of reach due to the limitations of current drilling technologies. Traditional oil and gas drills cannot withstand the extreme temperatures and pressures found at depths of 2 to 12 miles, which are necessary to access supercritical water – an energy-dense resource.
Quaise Energy has developed a pioneering approach to overcome this challenge. By replacing conventional mechanical drill bits with millimeter-wave energy—similar to the microwaves used in kitchen ovens—the company can melt and vaporize rock, allowing deeper and more efficient drilling. This method promises to unlock geothermal energy that has been previously inaccessible, offering a path to infinite clean energy sources regardless of location.
Breaking Through Technical Barriers: The Demo That Could Change Everything
During the May 21 demonstration at a full-scale oil rig operated by Nabors, Quaise engineers showcased their millimeter-wave drilling technology to an audience that included investors, media, and energy experts. Araque described the technology as “full scale in size, but not in power,” with the gyrotron generating 100 kilowatts—just a fraction of the power required for commercial viability. As Araque put it, “This is not a company built to develop a cool drilling gadget. We aim to become a geothermal developer. Our product is not a drill bit. Our product is clean heat and energy that is abundant, reliable, and affordable on a global scale.”
The technology is still in its early stages, but the potential for scalability is enormous. If Quaise can successfully tap into superdeep geothermal resources, the company’s vision of creating a renewable energy source that competes directly with oil and gas could soon become a reality. The upcoming delivery of a larger gyrotron capable of producing one megawatt of power signals the next step toward commercialization.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Future Goal
Quaise’s long-term goals are ambitious. By using the superhot geothermal resource, the company plans to develop geothermal power plants that could eventually be used globally. The first such power plant may be built in the American West, near the Newberry Volcano site in Oregon, which has a long history of geothermal exploration. According to Araque, the next steps involve refining their drilling technology to reach deeper, more challenging geothermal zones. The company is focused on developing a resource model that divides the world into three tiers based on geothermal gradient. Tier III, the deepest category, holds the key to unlocking energy for 90% of humanity.
In the meantime, Quaise continues to address the scientific and engineering challenges that come with harvesting energy from superhot, superdeep rock. The company is collaborating with universities and vendors to develop innovative solutions for higher temperature resistance and improved efficiency in energy transfer. Araque and his team remain determined to make superhot geothermal energy a reliable and commercially viable global energy source.
