Digging deep for super hot geothermal

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Mar 5, 2026

Carlos Araque, founder and CEO of Quaise Energy, is developing millimeter-wave drilling to reach ultra-deep, ~800°F geothermal resources. He discusses why 800°F is the sweet spot for high-density geothermal. They cover how activating deep rock permeability differs from fracking. Carlos outlines drilling challenges, materials and electronics for extreme heat, and Quaise’s plan and timeline toward a 2026 flow test.

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INSIGHT

800°F Is The Goldilocks Temperature For Geothermal

800°F is the Goldilocks target for using water to extract subsurface heat because it maximizes energy density and conversion efficiency.
At ~800°F a well can produce ~10x the power of a 200°F well due to water's thermophysical and thermodynamic properties.

INSIGHT

Superhot Resource Exists Globally At Varying Depths

800°F resources exist nearly everywhere between ~3 and 12 miles deep depending on location, enabling widespread geothermal potential.
Volcanic and tectonically active areas (Ring of Fire, Iceland, Kenya) are closer to the shallow end (~3 miles).

INSIGHT

10x Power From Superhot Wells Changes The Economics

Superhot (≈800°F) wells deliver roughly ten times the electric output of ~200°F wells because of higher density, lower viscosity, and better conversion efficiency.
This 10x output can offset higher drilling costs and materially reduce LCOE per MWh.

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Despite its ability to deliver ample carbon-free energy, the potential of geothermal and EGS is limited by the number of drilling sites close enough to the earth’s surface.

But a few pioneering companies have landed on a potential solution: dig way deeper.

In this episode, Shayle speaks with Carlos Araque, the founder of Quaise Energy. The company has developed millimeter-wave drills to vaporize rock, allowing them to dig up to twelve miles underground in search of water around 800 degrees Fahrenheit. That super hot and "supercritical" water packs a huge punch: ten times more energy density than traditional geothermal.

Shayle and Carlos explore a range of topics, including:

Why 800 degree water is the “ideal” temperature for deep geothermal
How "activating" permeability in deep rock differs from traditional fracking
The state of Quaise’s Oregon project pilot, including their goal of a commercial-grade flow test by the end of 2026
How the LCOE of super hot geothermal compares to traditional baseload energy sources

Resources

Catalyst: How geothermal gets built
Open Circuit: Is this geothermal’s breakout moment?
Latitude Media: Armed with $115 million, geothermal startup Zanskar gets ready to build
Green Blueprint: Sage Geosystems’ bet on geothermal energy storage
Latitude Media: Fervo’s Tim Latimer is ‘bullish’ on DOE funding for geothermal

Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Max Savage Levenson. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor.

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