Meet the Companies Leading the Geothermal Hydrogen Industry

Advancing Hydrogen Production Through Geothermal Energy

The global push for cleaner energy sources has brought hydrogen into the spotlight as a sustainable fuel option. Among the various methods for hydrogen production, geothermal energy is gaining attention due to its potential to provide a consistent and renewable power source. Companies like PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, TEPCO, Toshiba ESS, and Magma Power are exploring innovative ways to integrate geothermal technology into hydrogen production processes.

Evolution of Geothermal Energy Technology

Geothermal energy has long been a reliable source of renewable power for electricity generation. Recent advancements, however, are opening up possibilities for its use beyond traditional applications. Key developments include:

• Improved Drilling Techniques: Enhanced methods like directional drilling allow access to geothermal reservoirs previously considered unreachable.
• Low-Temperature Geothermal Systems: New technologies can now efficiently convert heat from lower-temperature resources into usable energy.
• Combined Applications: Geothermal systems are being adapted for multipurpose operations, such as simultaneous electricity generation and heat extraction.
• Cost Reductions: Innovations in energy conversion systems and materials have significantly brought down operational costs.

These breakthroughs create fertile ground for integrating geothermal energy into hydrogen production strategies, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.

How Hydrogen Is Made Using Geothermal Energy

The process of producing hydrogen with geothermal power relies on steam, heat, or electricity generated by geothermal plants. Here’s how it works:

1. Geothermal Heat Extraction: Geothermal wells tap into heat reservoirs beneath the Earth’s surface. This heat can either directly produce steam or be used to drive turbines.
2. Electrolysis: The geothermal electricity powers an electrolysis process, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electrical energy.
3. Direct Thermal Conversion (in some cases): Geothermal energy can also serve as a heat source in thermochemical cycles, which use heat and chemical reactions to produce hydrogen.
4. Collection and Storage: The hydrogen produced is compressed, purified, and stored for transport or direct use in energy systems.

This method capitalizes on geothermal energy’s consistency, making hydrogen production less reliant on weather-dependent renewable sources like solar or wind power.

Companies Pioneering Geothermal Hydrogen Projects

Several companies are leading initiatives to merge geothermal energy and hydrogen production, leveraging their unique technological approaches.

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy

Indonesia’s PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, in collaboration with France-based Genvia, is investigating how geothermal energy can produce hydrogen sustainably. The company aims to utilize Indonesia’s vast geothermal resources to create a green hydrogen solution.

Here’s a detailed look at their initiatives:

• Collaboration with Genvia: Pertamina Geothermal Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Genvia to develop green hydrogen production. This collaboration focuses on integrating advanced solid oxide electrolyzer technology with geothermal heat resources.

• Project Goals: The project aims to utilize Indonesia’s vast geothermal resources to create a green hydrogen solution, optimizing geothermal energy reserves for both electricity generation and clean fuel production.

• Technological Integration: The partnership will assess the techno-economic feasibility of using Genvia’s high-temperature technology to reduce energy consumption in hydrogen production. This study will be conducted at one of Pertamina’s geothermal sites.

• Strategic Importance: This initiative is part of Pertamina’s broader commitment to renewable energy and the energy transition, supporting Indonesia’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. The collaboration is expected to accelerate the development of cost-effective hydrogen production and maximize Indonesia’s green energy potential.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings (TEPCO)

Japan’s TEPCO is planning geothermal-powered hydrogen production projects in Indonesia. By using geothermal energy to operate electrolysis systems, TEPCO aims to generate clean hydrogen without emitting greenhouse gases. Indonesia’s well-documented geothermal potential provides the basis for this undertaking, which aligns with TEPCO’s broader renewable energy objectives.

• Geothermal Hydrogen Production Plans: TEPCO is advancing projects to produce hydrogen using geothermal energy, taking advantage of Indonesia’s rich geothermal potential.
• Facility Installation: Plans include installing hydrogen production systems at a geothermal power plant in Indonesia’s eastern region, with operations expected to commence in the coming years.
• Collaboration with Pertamina: TEPCO is partnering with Indonesia’s Pertamina to develop green hydrogen and ammonia through innovative technologies.
• Efficient Hydrogen Creation: The project focuses on using surplus electricity and heat from geothermal processes to enable cost-effective hydrogen production.
• Contribution to Carbon Neutrality: By leveraging Indonesia’s geothermal resources, TEPCO aims to support global efforts toward achieving a carbon-neutral future while strengthening its role in renewable energy advancements.

Toshiba ESS

Toshiba is conducting research on hydrogen production using underutilized geothermal energy. Targeting low-temperature geothermal resources in Oguni-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Toshiba ESS focuses on making hydrogen production feasible in smaller-scale applications. This effort underscores their innovative approach to connecting underused geothermal energy with the global hydrogen economy.

Here’s a breakdown of Toshiba’s advancements and news:

• Geoportable Geothermal System: Toshiba ESS has developed the Geoportable system, capable of generating up to 20 MW of geothermal power. Designed for small-scale operations, it is efficient to install in compact areas and is a key component of the Tanawon Project, a groundbreaking 20MW flash geothermal power plant in the Philippines.

• Philippines Partnership: Through a collaboration with Bac-Man Geothermal Inc., Toshiba ESS is delivering renewable energy solutions that bolster the Philippines’ geothermal capacity. This partnership underscores the country’s prominent role in global geothermal energy production.

• Hydrogen from Geothermal: Toshiba is exploring innovative hydrogen production methods by utilizing low-temperature geothermal energy in Japan. This research highlights their effort to link underutilized geothermal resources with the growing global hydrogen economy.

• Joint Development with Nimbus: Toshiba has teamed up with Nimbus Power Systems to create a next-generation pure hydrogen fuel cell stack. Combining cutting-edge technologies from both companies, the development aims to revolutionize hydrogen applications in large mobility and stationary systems.

Magma Power

Magma Power takes a systems-oriented approach by developing advanced geothermal technology capable of ultra-low-cost energy production. The firm’s patented solutions aim to cut the cost of hydrogen to under $1 per kilogram, a feat that could revolutionize the clean energy sector.

Here’s a breakdown of Magma Power’s advancements:

• Patented geothermal systems access energy deep within magma reservoirs using advanced cased wellbore designs to safely harness extreme heat.
• Liquid-phase fluids are converted into gas-phase through exposure to magma heat, improving energy extraction efficiency and reducing costs.
• Thermochemical splitting technology uses magma’s high temperatures to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen, eliminating the need for electricity and lowering production costs.
• Hydrogen production with this technique aims to achieve costs under $1 per kilogram, making it a viable clean fuel alternative to fossil fuels.
• Geothermal systems also produce green ammonia, used in fertilizers and as a carbon-neutral shipping fuel, and green kerosene, a sustainable aviation fuel.
• Plans include a $20 billion AI data center powered entirely by geothermal baseload energy, showcasing scalability and support for energy-intensive industries.
• Magma Power’s innovations demonstrate flexible applications of geothermal energy to reduce emissions and support global decarbonization efforts.

Magma Power has developed advanced geothermal technology, securing patents for systems that access magma reservoirs deep beneath the Earth’s crust. These use a robust cased wellbore design to harness extreme heat safely. By converting liquid fluid into gas-phase using magma energy, they achieve highly efficient energy extraction, reducing costs and increasing output.

Applying Geothermal Hydrogen Technology Now

The integration of geothermal energy into hydrogen production isn’t just hypothetical; it has tangible applications in industries and communities today. Here’s how it can be utilized moving forward:

• Industrial Decarbonization: Energy-intensive sectors can adopt geothermal-powered hydrogen to replace conventional fossil fuels, significantly reducing their carbon footprints.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Geothermal hydrogen systems can complement solar and wind energy as part of hybrid renewable networks, ensuring grid stability during peak energy demand.
• Localized Energy Solutions: Remote or off-grid areas with geothermal potential can employ this technology to produce clean energy locally, minimizing reliance on external power sources.
• Public Transportation: Hydrogen fuel cell buses, trains, and cars powered through geothermal energy systems can help reshape transportation infrastructure while promoting clean travel.

Future Prospects

While this technology shows promising results, scaling projects remains a challenge. Building widespread geothermal hydrogen facilities requires significant investment in infrastructure, policy support, and research. Optimistically, projections for the coming decades indicate cost reductions and efficiency improvements as technology matures further.

With consistent advancements and global collaboration, adopting geothermal-powered hydrogen systems could help carve a more sustainable path for energy production. Moving forward, aligning short-term pilot initiatives with long-term clean energy strategies will be critical. This measured approach can ensure hydrogen’s practical application as a clean, reliable fuel source while maximizing geothermal energy’s potential.