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Fervo Energy is a next-generation geothermal developer that commercializes proprietary technology to own, develop, and operate geothermal assets as the dispatchable foundation for a 100% clean energy future.
The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Berkeley, California.
Published November 10, 2020
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Updated June 18, 2025
Energy Transition
Industrial Decarbonization
Electrification & Efficiency
New Energies
Product Overview
Overview
Fervo was founded by Tim Latimer (its current CEO) when he got involved and interested in climate. Tim has a background as a drilling engineer and saw the potential of combining that drilling expertise with the geothermal space, that has similar and different technology requirements.
Fervo Energy commercializes proprietary technology to develop, own, and operate geothermal assets as a dispatchable source of 24/7 clean energy. Fervo designs Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), also known as open loop systems that leverage O&G subsurface expertise to generate geothermal power.
The company's design incorporate deep horizontal drilling and distributed fiber optic sensing to increase the productivity and lifetime of geothermal wells. By working in an open loop, hence producing heat transfer via convection. Also, multi-zone wells evenly distribute flow throughout the entire reservoir to improve heat transfer.
Fervo has secured several agreements with partners in the last couple of years. For instance, Google agreed to pay a premium for next-generation geothermal energy purchased by NV Energy from Fervo as part of an innovative "Clean Transition Tariff" and Southern California Edison also entered into two power purchase agreements with Fervo.
Business Model
Fervo is currently a geothermal project developer and operator, not dissimilar from an O&G Operator or a Solar Farm developer.
Technology Innovations
- Horizontal drilling techniques that allow for long laterals to increase contact with the rock to gain cost reductions vs vertical, deviate, or shorter lateral wells.
- Completions techniques that are taken from fracking (without many of the chemicals) in order to dramatically increase contact with the reservoir and ultimately provide the large flow rates required without depending on natural permeability of the rock. This is a key enabler to go from regional niche application to scalable applications.
- Although generally utilizing proven surface processing facilities in the field today, they are using their well design to deliver consistent throughput volumes so they can build repeatable, standardized surface kit. The ability for contractors to design once and build many has the potential to dramatically drive down costs.
- On surface they use binary cycle power plants (which includes ORC technologies) that can operate under temperatures as low as 70°C and up to approximately 200°C. For this, Fervo announced a partnership with Turboden, a pioneer in Organic Rankine Cycle power plants.
- No emissions associated in the energy production at site because it consists of a closed cycle.
- Fervo takes a scientific approach to understanding and modeling subsurface behavior, incorporating advanced computational modeling software to eliminate subsurface uncertainty.
Applications
Fervo is singularly focused on innovating geothermal developments across the full value chain (design, construction, drilling, production, contracts, and integration into the grid).