Quaise "Proof Of Concept" Demo Goes Live In Texas - CleanTechnica

Quaise, an MIT spinoff, is pioneering a novel geothermal drilling technology that uses high-powered microwaves generated by gyrotrons to bore through hard rock such as basalt and granite. This approach aims to reach superhot zones located up to 12,000 feet (about 2 to 4 kilometers) beneath the Earth's surface, where temperatures exceed 374º C (700º F). At these depths, water can be converted into supercritical steam, which is highly efficient for generating electricity. Quaise envisions tapping into this vast geothermal heat as a nearly limitless, clean energy source capable of meeting global electricity demands for millions of years. The concept originated from Paul Woskov’s fusion research at MIT, where he realized that gyrotrons—powerful microwave sources used to heat plasma—could be repurposed to vaporize rock and create deep boreholes. In 2018, Carlos Araque and Matt Houde joined Woskov to found Quaise, combining expertise from MIT and the oil and gas industry. Recently, Quaise completed its first proof-of-concept demonstration near Houston, Texas, where their microwave drilling technology successfully penetrated 10 feet into granite within an existing oil well. Although this is an early milestone far from the ultimate goal of drilling miles deep, the company emphasizes its mission to become a geothermal developer providing abundant, reliable, and affordable clean energy worldwide, rather than merely selling drilling equipment.