Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)
Fracking the Earth for unlimited clean energy.
Explore this event on the interactive timeline →Fervo Energy's "Project Red" in Nevada achieved commercial operation, marking the first time Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) successfully delivered electricity to the grid using advanced oil and gas technology.
Key Numbers
- Baseload Availability
- 24/7/365
- Geographic Constraint
- None (Works Anywhere)
Verified Facts
- Traditional geothermal power only works in rare volcanic areas (like Iceland) where hot water naturally bubbles to the surface.
- EGS uses horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) from the oil industry to artificially create cracks in hot, dry rock deep underground. Water is pumped down, heated by the Earth's core, and brought back up as steam to spin turbines.
- By proving this works commercially, EGS unlocked the potential for massive, 24/7 carbon-free baseload power practically anywhere on the planet, completely independent of weather (unlike solar and wind).