We know that the rush for new clean energy sources has never been faster. But now, the United States appears to have taken a bold and definitive step on this journey. And we’re not talking about solar panels or wind turbines, but something that comes from deep within the Earth: thermal energy. A technology that will completely transform the way we generate and consume energy.
A type of energy that comes, literally, from the bottom
When we think of thermal energy, or geothermal energy, the image that usually comes to mind is of volcanic areas or regions with large tectonic plates. A Canadian startup called Eavor is changing that narrative, they just developed a technology that promises to extract heat from the Earth safely, cleanly, and, get this, anywhere on the planet.
The idea is simple, but the execution is quite complex; their system drills several kilometers deep into the ground, where the temperature rises about 30 degrees Celsius, and injects cold water. As it circulates in this very hot environment, the water turns into steam, which can then be used to create electricity.
Actually, the trick lies in the installation’s design: instead of relying on unpredictable natural sources, Eavor created a closed-loop system. What does that mean? It’s like a self-powered underground radiator. It’s called: Eavor-Loop. And the most curious thing is that this system works without a pump, thanks to a physical phenomenon known as thermosiphon, basically, where the heat generates enough pressure to keep the cycle in constant motion.
What does thermal energy have to do with military bases?
We know the technology may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but the project is very real… and is currently being tested by the U.S. Air Force. The chosen location was Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and the goal is ambitious: to prove that it’s possible to power military installations with a clean, constant source of energy that’s independent of the traditional power grid.
And here comes the real game-changer: the US Department of Defense believes this system could be the “ideal model” of energy resilience in times of geopolitical instability. After all, in a world where conflicts, cyberattacks, and climate crises can disrupt power supplies at any moment, having an autonomous underground power plant, immune to surface storms, is the greatest strategic asset of the century (all with this new energy source discovered underground).
That’s why many experts are already calling Eavor-Loop the “Holy Grail of clean energy.” In fact, Bloomberg New Energy Finance founder Michael Liebreich said that if costs remain low, this technology comes very close. John Redfern, Eavor’s president and CEO, said:
“It could be a model for future bases, both nationally and internationally. It is a privilege to work with the U.S. government and Chesapeake in the pursuit of energy resilience, security, and autonomy”
Why are the military so interested?
Okay, but why would the Air Force be so involved in this kind of project? The answer is very very simple: energy security is a big national security issue. Ravi Chaudhary, Deputy Secretary of the Air Force, about this urgency:
“Our facilities are no longer sanctuaries; we need energy that can withstand any threat”
In other words, with Eavor-Loop, the base can continue operating even in the event of blackouts, attacks, or systemic failures. After all, it’s energy that literally comes from “within,” independent of weather or external connections. Furthermore, the project is scalable: if successful, it could be replicated at other military (and even civilian) bases around the world. Just imagine: America’s future found underground, just like in this small town.
