A startup has uncovered a hidden treasure in the Nevada desert: a vast, clean energy source. But it's not just any energy; it's geothermal power, a potential game-changer for the energy sector. And the discovery was made in an unconventional way, using artificial intelligence to find a geothermal reservoir hidden beneath the surface.
Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals, based in Utah, recently announced its groundbreaking find. Using AI, they located a 250-degree Fahrenheit geothermal reservoir, named 'Big Blind', under a stretch of western Nevada land. This site is unique because it has no visual indicators of its existence, no hot springs or geysers above ground, and no history of geothermal exploration, making it a 'blind' system. It's been over three decades since the industry last discovered such a site.
Carl Hoiland, Zanskar's co-founder and CEO, emphasizes the significance of this find. Despite the narrative that geothermal energy is tapped out, Zanskar's discovery proves otherwise. They believe there are numerous hidden geothermal sites across the Western US, and this find is just the beginning. Geothermal energy is a clean, limitless resource, producing minimal climate pollution and available constantly, unlike wind and solar power.
However, finding and scaling geothermal energy has been a challenge. It requires specific geology: hot water or steam reservoirs underground, along with porous rocks that allow the water to move through them and heat up. In the 1970s and 80s, there was high excitement around geothermal, but many oil and gas giants gave up due to high costs and low success rates.
Joel Edwards, Zanskar's co-founder and CTO, explains the difficulty of finding geothermal systems. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, as there's no single type of data that indicates a system's presence. Instead, multiple indicators are needed, which humans struggle to interpret.
This is where AI comes in. Zanskar's AI models are trained on data from existing blind geothermal systems, which have been accidentally discovered over the years while drilling for other resources. These models analyze vast amounts of data, from rock composition to magnetic fields, to identify patterns that suggest the presence of geothermal reserves. AI has become highly effective at extracting these signals from noise.
Once a potential location is identified, the next step is drilling to confirm the reserve's existence and temperature. Zanskar successfully drilled wells to 2,700 feet, finding porous rock at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. They estimate the site can support a power plant, but its full potential is yet to be determined.
The company faces challenges like permitting processes and grid interconnection, but they estimate the first electricity production could be achieved in three to five years. James Faulds, a geosciences professor, calls Zanskar's discovery significant, as over three-quarters of US geothermal resources are blind. Refining methods to find these systems could unlock vast amounts of clean energy.
A 2008 government analysis estimated undiscovered geothermal reserves could provide around 30 gigawatts of power, enough for 25 million homes. Hoiland believes the real figure could be ten times higher. Zanskar has identified many 'hotspots' with similar characteristics, indicating more discoveries.
Sophia Bauer, a geothermal project manager, highlights the potential for investment. If Zanskar can keep costs low, it will attract investment. Geothermal has an advantage in using oil and gas industry techniques, and the current political climate in the US is favorable for geothermal development.
The US leads in geothermal energy globally, but it accounts for only 0.4% of the country's electricity mix. Experts hope geothermal will meet the rising electricity demand from data centers, many of which use AI. Joseph Moore, a geologist, calls AI a 'game-changer' for the industry, and Zanskar's discovery is the latest advancement in geothermal energy.
This discovery marks a geothermal renaissance, with a focus on next-gen techniques using oil and gas industry tools. However, Hoiland emphasizes that conventional geothermal still holds untapped potential, and AI is a powerful tool in finding these hidden resources.
