Geothermal Energy Machinery and Systems (GEMS) Workshop
San Antonio, TX
United States
Proceedings of the 2025 GEMS Workshop
The Geothermal Energy Machinery and Systems (GEMS) Workshop took place November 19-20, 2025 at SwRI.
Workshop Overview
The Geothermal Energy Machinery and System (GEMS) Workshop provides a collaborative opportunity for industry experts to discuss technology development needs for advanced geothermal surface plants. This joint industry-government-academia event fosters information sharing and networking, with the goal of advancing geothermal power plant technology.
Geothermal energy is a reliable alternative for baseload electricity in a decarbonized economy. Recent advancements in engineered and deep geothermal technologies enable higher-temperature, more efficient, and reliable power generation. However, while drilling technology has progressed, surface equipment and systems have not kept pace to reduce their associated cost contributions. Development of direct flash, indirect organic Rankine, sCO₂, and other plant cycles is essential to support advanced geothermal power technology.
This workshop will bring together researchers, industry partners, and end-users to discuss current technology, identify gaps and research needs, and develop guidance for future pre-competitive R&D in geothermal power technologies.
Day 1
Welcome
Klaus Brun, Ebara Elliott Energy, Adam Hamilton and Kelsi Katcher, SwRI
Keynote Speaker
Simon Webbison, Ormat Technologies – Ormat: Views from a Supplier, Developer, and Operator
Technical Presentations
Mike Matson, Boston Consulting Group – Deep Heat, Big Potential: 2025 and the Rise of Geothermal 2.0
Douglas Simpkins, Sage Geosystems – Feasibility of Isothermal Compression for a Geothermal sCO2 Power Plant
Laura Chiaramonte, EPRI – Geothermal Fleet Optimization: Data-Driven Models for Improved Performance and Flexibility
Lorenzo Angelini, SLB – From Reservoir to Power Plant, A Unified Digital Twin for Geothermal Development and Operation
Will Fleckenstein, GTO Technologies – A Roadmap to EGS Economic Viability
Karl Wygant, Ebara Elliott Energy – Compressor Development Challenges in Geothermal Applications
Aly Hudson, New System Ventures – Spinning Up, Not Out Scaling the Turbomachinery Supply Chain for Rapid Geothermal Deployment
Louis Mann, Atlas Copco – Scaling Up: Strategies for Next Gen ORC Expanders
Jackson Grimes, Project InnerSpace – GeoMap: Enabling Next-Generation Geothermal Power Through Spatial Insights
Mobola Dosumu, Everllence – Integrating Geothermal Heat Sources into Industrial Heat Pump Systems
Chris Fraughton, AtmosZero – Modular Heat Pumps for Low-Temperature Source Heat
Panel Session – Technology Updates
Will Fleckenstein, GTO Technologies
Saeed Salehi, Southern Methodist University
Arash Dahi Taleghani, Penn State University
Eddie Wang, Far East Renewable Group (FERG)
Bailey Meadows, Fervo Energy
John Jung, Hanwha
Peter Rice, Siemens Energy
Panel Session – Industry/Utility
Taylor Moot, Xcel Energy
Larry Legree, Peregrine Turbine Technologies
Jared Ware, Railroad Commission of Texas
Open Forum Discussion
Klaus Brun, Ebara Elliott Energy
Closing
Klaus Brun, Ebara Elliott Energy
Day 2
Welcome
Kelsi Katcher, SwRI – Recap of Day 1
Keynote Speaker
Taylor Moot, Xcel Energy and Mike Matson, BCG
Technical Presentations
John Klaerner, SwRI – Investigation of sCO₂ Mixtures in a Lab Scale Thermosiphon Loop
Mor Bisk, Fervo – ORC & EGS – Advantages and Opportunities in Design and Execution 2.0
Tara DeCorte, Baker Hughes – Advancing Geothermal Energy: Baker Hughes Solutions for AGS/EGS
Ty Neises, NREL – Geothermal Modeling Tools and Power Cycle Research at NREL
Piero Colonna, TU Delft – Geothermal Energy Conversion with ORC Power Plants: An Overview and Ideas for Improvements
Terra Rogers, Clean Air Task Force – Unlocking Superhot Value: The Next Frontier for Surface Systems
Spencer Jackson, Critical Energy – Critical Energy - Modular Surface Systems for Scalable Geothermal Power
Nasikul Islam, Exceed Geo Energy – Unlocking the Benefits of Community Geothermal: Using Presidio, TX as a Model of West Texas
Panel Session – Project Development and Finance
Diane Fischer, Kiewit
Tisha Scroggin-Wicker, Burns & McDonnell
Jaclyn Urbank, Jacobs
Leslie Ponder, Black and Veatch
Closing
Kelsi Katcher, SwRI
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