AI Discoveries in Hidden Geothermal Energy Resources

The Challenge of Geothermal Exploration

Sometimes geothermal hotspots are obvious, marked by geysers and hot springs on the planet’s surface. However, in many cases, they’re obscured thousands of feet underground. This challenge prompted a startup company, Zanskar, to employ AI and advanced computational methods to uncover these hidden pockets of potential power.

A Breakthrough in Identifying Blind Systems

Zanskar has announced that it has identified a blind geothermal system in the western Nevada desert—one that has no visible signs on the surface. This discovery marks the first blind geothermal system confirmed to be a commercial prospect in over 30 years. Historically, locating new geothermal power sites involved considerable time and resources, often relying on extensive drilling.

Advancements in AI Precision

With AI advancements, Zanskar aims to tackle what has been deemed an unsolvable problem for decades. As Carl Hoiland, co-founder and CEO, emphasizes, their goal is to “find those resources and prove that they’re way bigger than previously thought.” The company has pinpointed a reservoir that reaches 250 °F at about 2,700 feet below the surface with its innovative technology.

The Rising Demand for Geothermal Power

As global electricity demand increases, geothermal systems like the newly discovered Big Blind could offer a reliable source of power without emitting greenhouse gases. Joel Edwards, co-founder and CTO, reports that Zanskar has identified numerous potential hot spots, confirming the model's predictions for Big Blind through rigorous fieldwork.

AI-Driven Site Identification

The process begins by using regional AI models to search large areas. These models leverage data from known hot spots and simulations, supplemented with geological and satellite information. AI's ability to manage complex information enhances its predictive capability, as noted by Hoiland.

Fieldwork and Confirmation

Once a potential hot spot is identified, a field crew evaluates the site, which can span roughly 100 square miles. Techniques include drilling shallow holes to measure underground temperatures, leading to the confirmation of the hot, permeable rock necessary for development.

Securing Permits and Investments

After acquiring a federal lease for Big Blind, Zanskar proceeded with large drill rigs to verify the conditions found during initial tests. Following this, the next steps involve securing necessary permits to connect to the grid and acquiring funding for plant construction.

Methodology for Large-scale Features

John McLennan, a technical lead for resource management at Utah FORGE, emphasizes the need for methodologies to search for large-scale geothermal features. He describes the discovery as promising, reinforcing Zanskar’s potential role in the geothermal sector.

A New Era for Geothermal Energy

Big Blind represents Zanskar’s first confirmed discovery that has not been previously explored or developed. Earlier this year, the company also announced a discovery at a previously explored site and revived a geothermal power plant in New Mexico. Edwards envisions this as the start of a wave of new geothermal systems capable of supporting power plants, signaling a transformative shift in the industry.