Next-Gen Geothermal Breakthrough Paves the Way for Clean Energy Revolution in Nevada
Fervo Energy announced a record production of geothermal energy in northern Nevada after successfully completing a commercial pilot project. The project, called 'Project Red', utilized Fervo's drilling technology to produce commercial geothermal energy, a major breakthrough in the renewable energy industry. The 30-day well test, which achieved a flow rate of 63 liters per second at high temperature, enabled 3.5 MW of electric production, setting new records for both flow and power output from an enhanced geothermal system. This achievement confirms the commercial viability of Fervo’s drilling technology and establishes Project Red as the most productive enhanced geothermal system in history. Fervo’s drilling technology, adapted from the oil and gas industry, has reduced drilling risks and enabled the production of 24/7 carbon-free energy resources in new geographies across the world. In 2021, Fervo partnered with Google to develop the next-gen plant with the goal of powering Google’s Cloud servers in Las Vegas with an “always-on,” carbon-free resource that will reduce the company’s hourly reliance on fossil fuels. Geothermal technology produces electricity by pumping cold water underground, where it is heated up by the Earth’s temperature and brought back to the surface without emitting carbon or other harmful pollutants. Currently used in 26 countries, geothermal technology has the potential to supply over 20% of U.S. power needs and compliment wind and solar to achieve a fully decarbonized grid. Fervo's breakthrough in geothermal technology removes technological barriers to geothermal deployment and ushers in a new era of sustainable, carbon-free energy production.