Quaise Energy has announced a significant milestone in the development of its millimeter wave drilling technology, successfully drilling 100 meters into granite [1]. This achievement is a major step forward for the company's proprietary technology, which is being developed to unlock deeper and hotter geothermal resources. The drilling was conducted at a field site in Central Texas, where the company's millimeter wave drilling system was able to penetrate the hard rock with ease [2]. The technology uses a powerful gyrotron to ablate rock, allowing for faster and deeper drilling than traditional methods [3].

According to Carlos Araque, CEO and President of Quaise Energy, 'We're drilling faster and deeper at this point than anyone believed possible, proving that millimeter wave technology is the only tool capable of reaching the superhot rock needed for next-generation geothermal power' [4]. The company plans to build on this achievement with an upcoming gyrotron using 10x more power, with a target to complete a pilot power plant in the Western U.S. as early as 2028 [5]. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the geothermal industry, enabling the development of more efficient and cost-effective geothermal power plants.

As the company continues to advance its technology, it is likely to have a significant impact on the renewable energy sector.

Sources

  1. Quaise Energy. (2026). Quaise Energy Achieves Drilling Milestone with Millimeter Wave Technology. https://www.quaise.com/news/quaise-energy-achieves-drilling-milestone-with-millimeter-wave-technology
  2. Think GeoEnergy. (2026). Quaise Energy achieves 100 meters of drilling using millimeter wave technology. https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/quaise-energy-achieves-100-meters-of-drilling-using-millimeter-wave-technology
  3. Quaise Energy. (2026). Field Testing Our Millimeter Wave Technology for the First Time. https://www.quaise.com/news/field-testing-our-millimeter-wave-technology-for-the-first-time
  4. Think GeoEnergy. (2026). Quaise Energy achieves 100 meters of drilling using millimeter wave technology. https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/quaise-energy-achieves-100-meters-of-drilling-using-millimeter-wave-technology
  5. Quaise Energy. (2026). Quaise Energy Achieves Drilling Milestone with Millimeter Wave Technology. https://www.quaise.com/news/quaise-energy-achieves-drilling-milestone-with-millimeter-wave-technology

Sources

  1. www.quaise.com/news/quaise-energy-achieves-drilling-milestone-with-millimeter-wave-technol
  2. www.thinkgeoenergy.com/quaise-energy-achieves-100-meters-of-drilling-using-millimeter-wave
  3. www.quaise.com/news/field-testing-our-millimeter-wave-technology-for-the-first-time