Columbia Energy Exchange From Hot Rocks to Clean Power: Roland Horne on the Future of Geothermal
Dec 16, 2025
Roland Horne, the Thomas Davies Barrow Professor of Earth Sciences at Stanford, dives into the evolving world of geothermal energy. He shares insights on enhanced geothermal systems, explaining how advancements in drilling techniques are breaking new ground. Horne discusses the role of geothermal as a firm backup for renewable sources and the potential for broader U.S. use, including emerging projects beyond the West. With historical ties to oil and gas, he emphasizes how declining costs and policy support are paving the way for this clean energy frontier.
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New Zealand's Geothermal Origin Story
- Roland Horne grew up in New Zealand where geothermal was treated like the country's space program and pioneered liquid-dominated fields. He says geothermal remains prominent in New Zealand and has gone through a renaissance there.
Geothermal's High Capex, Low Fuel Cost Tradeoff
- Geothermal brings heat to the surface for direct use or electricity and has near-zero emissions and no fuel cost once built. It demands high upfront capital but offers attractive operating economics long term.
EGS Scalability Changed By Oil-Gas Tech
- Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) were invented in the 1970s and proved in small projects but lacked scalability until oil-and-gas fracturing tech crossed over. Horizontal drilling and multi-stage vertical fractures now make EGS far more scalable.