Khosla-backed Mazama taps super-hot rocks in race to deliver 24/7 power

In a bold move to address the increasing energy demands from data centers and electric vehicles, geothermal startups are competing to harness the immense energy hidden deep within the Earth. One such company, Mazama Energy, has achieved a remarkable milestone by drilling the hottest geothermal well in the world, capable of powering thousands of homes. Located in Oregon, the well has reached an astonishing temperature of 629˚ F (331˚ C) at its deepest point. Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures which has supported Mazama, showcased this achievement at the TechCrunch Disrupt event. He stated, "This one site can produce 5 gigawatts of energy," emphasizing the significant potential of geothermal energy, which could surpass traditional expectations. Khosla noted that while typical geothermal wells generate tens of megawatts, this innovative approach could enable power generation at gigawatt scales, with estimates suggesting it could reach 100 gigawatts or more—far exceeding the projected near-term energy requirements of AI technologies. Mazama aims to drill into even hotter rock, targeting temperatures up to 750˚ F (400˚ C), with plans to produce at least 25 megawatts from a single borehole, significantly eclipsing current competitors' outputs. Although geothermal power has been utilized for decades, most plants exploit shallow resources near the surface, where hot springs bring heat from the Earth's mantle. Enhanced geothermal systems, however, aim deeper, accessing more consistent and higher heat sources. This technology not only promises increased productivity but also the capacity to deliver uninterrupted electricity 24/7, making it an attractive option for companies like Google, which have partnered to power data centers with geothermal energy. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, geothermal wells located in the Great Basin region, primarily in Nevada, could potentially meet 10% of the current energy demand in the U.S. By drilling deeper, these systems can unlock greater power while utilizing fewer resources. Mazama estimates that it will need 75% less water than traditional geothermal operations, allowing for a significant increase in energy output per borehole. Khosla highlighted that at 450˚ Celsius, the energy produced per well could be tenfold compared to that at 200˚, making it a cost-competitive alternative to natural gas without the associated carbon emissions.