HeatFlow, a New Mexico startup, introduced a turbine-cycle system designed to generate more electricity from lower-temperature geothermal brine, including resources at about 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Founder Lucas Mejia said the approach could enable the use of lower-cost materials and reduce the capital required for geothermal development.
The company presented the technology at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s New Mexico Demo Day and received a $650,000 Advanced Energy Award from the state, alongside venture backing from Roadrunner Venture Studios. HeatFlow plans to test the technology by the end of 2026 and is targeting modular deployment through smaller generating systems. The company aims to cut geothermal capital costs by roughly half.
For utilities, lower-cost geothermal systems could expand access to around-the-clock renewable power and reduce dependence on fossil-fuel backup when wind and solar generation fall short.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Lee Charlie
What's Driving This Trend
- Low-temperature Geothermal
- Lower-temperature brine resources create room for power systems that unlock previously uneconomic geothermal sites with reduced drilling and material constraints.
- Modular Power Deployment
- Smaller generating systems point to scalable infrastructure models that can match local demand while lowering upfront project risk.
- Baseload Renewable Expansion
- Round-the-clock geothermal generation strengthens renewable portfolios by filling reliability gaps left by intermittent wind and solar assets.
Who This Affects Most
- Geothermal Energy
- Advances in turbine-cycle design broaden the commercial viability of geothermal development beyond high-temperature reservoirs.
- Electric Utilities
- Utilities gain new pathways to firm clean power that can reduce reliance on fossil-fuel peaker plants and backup generation.
- Clean Technology
- Capital-efficient geothermal systems highlight emerging opportunities for startups and investors focused on lower-cost renewable infrastructure.
