The Superhot Blueprint
Millimeter wave drilling is the most transformational drilling technology since the drill bit was introduced to the world in the 1930s. It’s the key that finally unlocks superhot geothermal energy worldwide, and we’re already getting started on our first power project in the western United States.
Millimeter wave drilling is what makes geothermal universal, not niche. It’s far more than just a new tool. It’s as consequential as peering into the atom, going into orbit, and mapping the human genome. And, it can open the door to terawatts of geothermal power for the entire world.
Video Transcript
Millimeter wave drilling is the most transformational drilling technology since the drill bit was introduced to the world in the 1930s.
While conventional drilling has taken us far, it faces real challenges at extreme depths: The equipment can't survive long-term in superhot temperatures. And the deeper you go, the harder it becomes to power the drill bit.
Millimeter wave drilling changes the equation.
Instead of relying on mechanical force, it delivers high-frequency electromagnetic waves through a waveguide, transmitted from a surface-based gyrotron, down to the rock face with minimal energy loss. That means fewer interruptions, less downtime, at a lower cost, with the ability to drill in conditions that would destroy conventional tools.
Millimeter wave drilling efficiently delivers energy downward. But what about removing rock cuttings upward?
In conventional drilling, dense drilling mud is used to carry rock fragments, called ‘cuttings’, to the surface. But at great depths, mud circulation breaks down and becomes less effective. Millimeter wave drilling excels by using a purge gas system where pressurized gas flow sweeps the small cuttings away from the bottom of the hole to keep the drilling zone clean and efficient.
These advantages help millimeter wave drilling deliver more energy where it counts, avoid the mechanical limitations of traditional systems, and keep the drilling area clear.
This is more than just a new tool. It’s as consequential as peering into the atom, going into orbit, and mapping the human genome. And, it can open the door to terawatts of geothermal power for the entire world.