The Superhot Rock Revolution

How Quaise Energy Is Drilling to the Future of Clean Power 

An interesting article written by Velda Addison on the Hart Energy website explains how superhot rock drillers at Quaise Energy are advancing geothermal drilling capability. Following is a summary overview of the story. 

A new frontier is heating up in the global energy transition – literally. Geothermal innovators like Quaise Energy are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible by targeting superhot rock deep beneath the Earth’s surface to generate clean, firm, and globally scalable power. With oil-and-gas-grade ambition, next-gen geothermal is now gunning to rival fossil fuels—not just as an alternative, but as a replacement. 

According to Addison, Quaise CEO Carlos Araque, a veteran of the oilfield services sector, believes geothermal could be as big as oil and gas—if we can drill deep enough. Unlike wind and solar, geothermal can deliver 24/7 baseload power anywhere on Earth, making it a game-changer for electrification, AI-driven data centers, and grid stability. 

So what’s stopping us? The rock itself. 

Conventional geothermal systems only tap shallow wells in volcanic regions, but the real energy jackpot lies deeper—in superhot rock zones where temperatures exceed 375°C (700°F). Reaching those depths (up to 12 miles) has traditionally been expensive and grueling, as conventional drill bits wear out fast in such extreme environments. 

That’s where Quaise’s millimeter wave drilling technology comes in. 

Instead of grinding rock with steel, they vaporize it using powerful electromagnetic waves—the same kind used in nuclear fusion. This tech bypasses wear-and-tear and unlocks the ability to drill deeper than ever before. The company plans its first commercial field demonstration in 2025, with a power plant deployment slated for 2026. 

And the potential? Massive. 

According to Addison and the Clean Air Task Force, tapping just 1% of the world’s superhot geothermal resource could yield 63 terawatts of clean electricity—8x the world’s current capacity. In the U.S. alone, 1% could provide 4.3 terawatts, enough to power New York City nearly 700 times over. 

And she points out that government support is rising, too. The U.S. Department of Energy’s SUPERHOT program has committed $30 million to develop durable, next-gen geothermal wells. These efforts aim to create wells that can survive extreme pressures and heat for 15 years or more – critical for commercial success. 

Araque sums it up best: “We want these geothermal wells to compete with oil and gas on energy output and economics.” And with drilling costs now approaching parity with high-end oil wells, geothermal might finally be ready for its moment in the sun—or rather, below it. 

Read the article here.