A Startup Says It Has Found a Hidden Source of Geothermal Energy

Zanskar, a geothermal startup, announced a significant breakthrough in Nevada by using artificial intelligence to identify a new commercially viable geothermal resource deep underground. This discovery marks the first major find of its kind in decades and represents a turning point for the geothermal industry, which had long been considered stagnant due to the difficulty of locating hidden or "blind" geothermal systems—hot reservoirs without surface indicators. Zanskar’s cofounders emphasize that their AI-driven approach systematically reduces the risk of exploration by analyzing vast geological data, enabling more precise identification of these elusive energy sources. Geothermal energy, which harnesses steam from underground hot water reservoirs to generate electricity, is a promising renewable resource, especially in tectonically active regions like the western United States. However, most productive geothermal systems lie deep underground without visible surface signs, making them challenging to find. Historically, many geothermal plants were built only after accidental discoveries during unrelated drilling activities. Government efforts in the 1970s attempted systematic exploration, but funding waned