Quaise is developing a gyrotron-powered drilling platform that utilizes millimeter-wave technology to vaporize boreholes and access deep geothermal energy at depths of up to 20 kilometers and temperatures of 500°C. This approach enables the rapid deployment of clean, renewable energy by repurposing existing fossil fuel infrastructure, addressing the urgent need for scalable and sustainable energy solutions.
Funding
$91M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Accessing deep geothermal energy, a vast and untapped renewable resource, is currently limited by the cost and complexity of drilling to sufficient depths and temperatures using conventional methods. Traditional drilling techniques struggle to penetrate hard rock at depths exceeding several kilometers, hindering the widespread adoption of geothermal power.
Solution
Quaise Energy is developing a novel drilling platform that utilizes millimeter-wave technology, powered by a gyrotron, to vaporize rock and create boreholes reaching depths of up to 20 kilometers, where temperatures can reach 500°C. This approach bypasses the limitations of mechanical drilling, enabling access to superhot geothermal resources that are universally available. By repurposing existing fossil fuel infrastructure and leveraging the skills of the oil and gas workforce, Quaise aims to accelerate the transition to clean, renewable energy on a global scale. The platform combines conventional rotary drilling to reach basement rock with millimeter-wave technology to achieve unprecedented depths.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes energy companies, utilities, and industrial facilities seeking access to a scalable, clean, and universally available energy source, as well as the oil and gas industry looking to transition to renewable energy production.
Features
- Gyrotron-based system generates high-power millimeter waves for rock vaporization.
- Utilizes standard oil and gas tubing as a waveguide to efficiently transmit millimeter waves over long distances.
- Employs a purge gas to carry vaporized rock back to the surface.
- Enables drilling to depths of 3-20 km, accessing superhot geothermal resources.
- Compatible with existing fossil fuel power plant infrastructure for rapid repowering.