Drilling Deeper for Heat: Geothermal’s Next Big Leap

NREL and GA Drilling partner to test advanced geothermal tech built for hotter, deeper wells

19 Nov 2025

A new collaboration between the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Slovakia-based GA Drilling aims to develop high-temperature drilling systems capable of reaching zones of about 250°C, a step the partners say could widen access to deeper geothermal resources. The project remains in the testing phase but has drawn interest from developers, investors and policymakers seeking more reliable clean-power options.

The system generates power at the bottom of the well rather than through heat-sensitive surface cables, a design intended to keep equipment operating in conditions that typically halt conventional tools. If proven, the platform could extend geothermal development into regions where heat reservoirs are deeper or harder to access, though its reach will depend on field performance and cost.

For GA Drilling, the effort marks a strategic shift as energy groups look for advantages in expanding clean-energy markets. Its hybrid method uses both thermal energy and mechanical force to cut dense rock at higher speeds and with greater durability than standard drilling approaches. NREL is contributing work on high-temperature materials and electronics to support laboratory testing. As one NREL programme manager said, the resource “has always existed and the challenge has been reaching it.”

Analysts view the partnership as part of a broader push to move geothermal from a niche technology to a more widely deployed power source. Investor interest has increased thanks to the sector’s steady, carbon-free generation. But experts caution that competitiveness with natural gas and other large-scale electricity sources will rely on proof at commercial scale and on long-term cost data.

Several hurdles remain before deployment. The system must show durability in real operating environments and comply with regulatory frameworks originally designed for oil and gas drilling. Specialists expect cost declines only after repeated test cycles and design refinements. Even so, observers note growing potential as demand for dependable clean power rises.

The next phase of field trials will be critical. Strong results could support a new period of geothermal development in the US, offering communities and businesses a more resilient foundation for future energy supply.