US tool to recreate deep-earth conditions to unlock 'superhot' power

Oregon State University (OSU) has received a $750,000 donation from Quaise Energy to advance research on superhot rock (SHR) geothermal energy, a resource with the potential to generate up to 63 terawatts—over eight times the current global electricity output—by exploiting just 1% of SHR resources located 2 to 12 miles beneath the Earth’s surface. The funding supports OSU’s Experimental Deep Geothermal Energy (EDGE) lab in simulating extreme deep-earth conditions, specifically studying water at supercritical temperatures (374°C) and pressures (500 atmospheres), where it can carry significantly more energy than standard hot water. This research aims to reduce technical risks as Quaise Energy progresses from successful 2025 drilling tests toward deeper drilling goals in 2026. The EDGE lab, led by Assistant Professor Brian Tattitch, uses a custom flow-through reactor to replicate deep-earth environments and monitor chemical interactions between rock and fluids in real time, addressing the shortcomings