IMAGE 2026 Geothermal Hub

 Tuesday, 18 August – Thursday, 20 August |  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 3rd Level

Powering Geothermal Energy Innovations and Developments

The Geothermal Hub will feature engaging content for everyone, from those just discovering geothermal to professionals who drive the industry forward. Through technical presentations, panel discussions, and case studies, the Hub will highlight the breadth of geothermal energy, from traditional geothermal applications to emerging technologies.



Topics will span the full geothermal project lifecycle, including exploration, resource characterization, drilling, development, and operations. Sessions will explore the growing synergy between oil and gas and geothermal while addressing key technical challenges such as drilling hotter wells, well construction, and subsurface performance. The Hub will also showcase recent progress across the industry and provide opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration within the geoscience and energy communities.

Geothermal Hub Schedule

Understanding Today’s Geothermal Industry

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

The Tuesday morning program provides insight into the current state of the geothermal industry, emerging opportunities, and the technology and development approaches shaping the future of geothermal energy.

Time Company Presenter Presentation Title
9:00–9:30 a.m. Enverus Adam Robinson, Associate, Research Geothermal Fundamentals
Geothermal is experiencing a surge of investment, innovation, and commercial activity. New projects are being announced, utilities are signing agreements, technology pathways are maturing, and an increasing number of energy companies are entering the sector. But what does the data tell us about the industry’s trajectory? In this keynote, Adam Robinson of Enverus will present a data-driven assessment of the geothermal sector over the past year. Drawing on market intelligence, project activity, investment trends, drilling activity, power purchase agreements, and technology deployment, he will examine where growth is occurring, what is driving it, and which signals matter most. The session will explore how rising demand for firm low-carbon power is reshaping the opportunity landscape, how geothermal development is evolving beyond conventional resources, and how expertise from the oil and gas industry is accelerating innovation across the sector. By separating momentum from hype and identifying the trends that will define the next phase of growth, this keynote will provide attendees with a clear picture of where geothermal stands today—and where it may be headed next.
9:30–9:45 a.m. Networking Break
9:45–10:45 a.m. Panel Geothermal Development Approaches
Geothermal resources can be developed through a range of approaches, each with unique subsurface requirements, technical challenges, and pathways to commercial deployment. From conventional hydrothermal systems to enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and closed-loop technologies, developers are pursuing different strategies to access geothermal energy across a wider range of geologic settings. This panel will examine the strengths, limitations, and development considerations of each approach, highlighting how advances in resource characterization, drilling, reservoir engineering, and well design are expanding geothermal opportunities and helping bring more projects from concept to commercial operation.
Panelists: Roberto Wagner, Director of Subsurface, XGS Energy; Emma McConville, Director of Resource, Fervo Energy; Nils Caliandro, Geologist, Zanskar
Moderator: Adam Robinson, Associate, Research, Enverus
10:45–11:00 a.m. Networking Break
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Special Session The Technologies Being Developed to Deploy in Geothermal Applications
Many of the technologies needed to enable large-scale geothermal development are being adapted from oil and gas, while others are being developed specifically to address geothermal operating environments. Challenges related to high temperatures, well integrity, monitoring, materials performance, and operational efficiency continue to drive innovation across the industry. This session will showcase emerging technologies and lessons learned from both sectors, exploring how new tools, materials, and engineering solutions can help close critical technology gaps and accelerate geothermal deployment at commercial scale.
Speakers: Elizabeth Cambre, Business Development Manager, New Energies, Vallourec; Kevin McCarthy, Global Geothermal SME, Baker Hughes
Presentation Title (Elizabeth Cambre): Technologies Being Developed for the Different Geothermal Development Approaches (Challenges and Advances in Testing)
Moderator: Adam Robinson, Associate, Research, Enverus
12:00–1:00 p.m. Networking Break

Closing Technology Gaps

1:00–5:00 p.m.

The Tuesday afternoon program explores where critical technology gaps in geothermal and oil and gas align, and where innovation is needed. Through a keynote address, panel discussion, and special sessions attendees will examine challenges and emerging solutions related to reservoir performance, operational efficiency, and project economics.

Time Company Presenter Presentation Title
1:00–1:30 p.m. Energy & Geoscience Institute (EGI) and Geothermal Strategy Partners (GSP), University of Utah Kristie McLin, Director, Research and Science (EGI), Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder (GSP) From Hydrocarbons to Geothermal: Closing Technology Gaps for Both Industries
As the energy sector looks to scale geothermal development, closing critical technology gaps will require both innovation and cross-industry learning. Drawing on experience across the oil and gas and geothermal sectors, Kristie McLin will share a unique perspective on the technical challenges shaping geothermal scale-up today, where meaningful progress is already being made, and how advances in oil and gas technology and geothermal R&D can better align to accelerate deployment.
1:30–1:45 p.m. Networking Break
1:45–2:45 p.m. Panel Technology and Progress Toward Addressing Fractures and Natural Fractures
Fractures are at the heart of geothermal energy, controlling fluid flow, heat extraction, and ultimately project success. As the industry expands into enhanced geothermal systems, advanced geothermal systems, and deeper, hotter resources, understanding and engineering both natural and hydraulic fractures has become increasingly critical. This panel brings together technology leaders from SLB, Baker Hughes, and Drill2Frac to discuss the latest advances in fracture characterization, monitoring, and digital technologies. The discussion will explore how innovations adopted from oil and gas, combined with geothermal-specific developments, are helping reduce subsurface uncertainty, improve reservoir performance, and accelerate the deployment of reliable, scalable geothermal energy.
Panelists: Koenraad Beckers, Head of Engineering, Birch Geothermal; Stephan Henriquez, Geothermal Business Development, Baker Hughes; Edgar Velez, Acoustics and Geomechanics Domain Champion, SLB
Moderator: Roberto Wagner, Director of Subsurface, XGS Energy
2:45–3:00 p.m. Networking Break
3:00–3:45 p.m. Special Session Technology and Progress Toward Conformance and Flow Control
This session will discuss current research gaps, technologies, and workflows to enhance conformance and flow control in geothermal systems.
Speakers: Will Fleckenstein, Chief Executive Officer, GTO Technologies; Morteza Akbari, Reservoir Engineer- Completions, Taqa
Presentation Title (Will Fleckenstein): Conformance Control Sleeves Improves both Thermal Decline and Fracture Conductivity
Presentation Title (Morteza Akbari): Enhancing Thermal Sweep Efficiency and Flow Conformance Using Autonomous Flow Control Devices (AFCDs)
3:45–4:00 p.m. Networking Break
4:00–5:00 p.m. Special Session Technology and Progress Toward Project Economics
Project economics ultimately determines whether subsurface energy resources are developed. Both oil and gas and geothermal projects rely on successful resource characterization, efficient drilling and completions, and sustained production performance to create value. However, differences in revenue streams, market drivers, and infrastructure requirements create unique economic challenges for each industry. This session will examine the technical and commercial factors that influence project feasibility, highlighting shared lessons, key differences, and opportunities to improve the economic competitiveness of geothermal energy.
Speakers: Richard Chong, Chief Financial Officer, XGS Energy; Erik Witter, Geoscience Researcher II, NLR; Philip Ball, Managing Director, Geothermal Energy Advisors LLC.
Presentation Title (Richard Chong): Financability of Geothermal
Presentation Title (Erik Witter): Geothermal Power Costs
Presentation Title (Philip Ball): Geothermal Resource Management Systems: Subsurface Framework, Estimatability