Volts Super-deep geothermal drilling ... with microwaves
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Oct 10, 2025 Carlos Araque, CEO of Quaise and a former oil-and-gas engineer, dives into revolutionary geothermal energy solutions. He shares how his company uses millimeter-wave technology to power up drilling deep into the Earth's crust, vaporizing rock with microwaves. By tapping into supercritical geothermal heat, Araque argues for the oil industry's shift from fuels to heat. He discusses the vast, sustainable potential of Earth's internal heat and the economic benefits of geothermal energy, all while addressing environmental impacts and scalability.
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Go Hot, Not Just Deep
- Quaze targets 300–500°C by drilling deeper rather than changing surface tech.
- Hitting those temperatures unlocks industrial heat and much higher power density per well.
The Supercritical Payoff
- Supercritical water occurs around 375°C under natural subsurface pressure.
- Crossing that threshold multiplies usable energy dramatically compared with conventional geothermal.
Budget Drilling Power Realistically
- Expect drilling power needs of about 1–5 megawatts, within standard oilfield rig capacity.
- Plan for a thousand-fold energy payback over the asset life when assessing ROI.