Mazama Energy develops and operates utility-scale geothermal power plants, focusing on advanced techniques to extract heat from hot dry rock formations. Their technology aims to produce baseload electricity with zero carbon emissions, providing a sustainable energy source.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
UDFounders
Product
Problem
Conventional and enhanced geothermal systems struggle to achieve economically competitive power output due to limitations in heat extraction and reliance on naturally occurring or man-made water reservoirs. These systems often require a large number of wells and significant water usage, increasing costs and environmental impact.
Solution
Mazama Energy is developing advanced technologies to extract heat from superhot rocks (SHR), subsurface geological formations with temperatures exceeding 374°C. Their approach, Modular Unconventional Superhot Energy (MUSE™), aims to produce 5-10 times more electrical power than current geothermal systems while minimizing environmental impact. MUSE™ integrates proprietary drilling techniques (Mazama Drill), reservoir creation (Thermal Lattice™), and well performance prediction (Heat Harvester™) to enhance heat production and optimize well integrity. By accessing SHR, Mazama Energy intends to create scalable, carbon-free energy production with reduced water consumption and a smaller surface footprint.
Target Audience
Mazama Energy's primary target audience includes utility companies, energy providers, and government agencies seeking sustainable, baseload electricity generation with minimal environmental impact.
Features
- Mazama Drill: Proprietary drilling technologies for reliable and efficient horizontal well paths in superhot rock formations.
- Thermal Lattice™: Technology to create large-capacity, durable reservoirs in superhot rock to enhance heat production.
- Heat Harvester™: Predictive modeling to simulate well performance and maximize heat recovery over the well's lifespan.
- Modular Uconventional Superhot Energy (MUSE™): Integrated system requiring 80% fewer wells and 75% less water than current engineered geothermal systems.
- Development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) in locations lacking naturally occurring hot water reservoirs.
- Real-time seismic monitoring during operations, managed in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.