AltaRock Energy

About AltaRock Energy

AltaRock Energy, Inc. operates as a geothermal energy technology and services company, concentrating on making clean, renewable power accessible globally. Founded in 2007 by Susan Petty and Andrew Perlman, the company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with a field office in Bend, Oregon. Petty, who serves as President and CTO, brings over 40 years of extensive experience in the geothermal industry, having worked on all facets of geothermal projects worldwide, from evaluation and modeling to policy studies for U.S. federal agencies. Her journey began with a geology degree from Princeton and a master's in groundwater hydrology, leading to a long career that culminated in her founding AltaRock at age 56 to put her ideas on advanced geothermal systems into practice.

The company's core business revolves around the design, construction, and operation of Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS). This technology creates artificial geothermal reservoirs by hydraulically stimulating hot, low-permeability rock to establish fluid circulation, thereby generating steam for power. This approach significantly expands the potential for geothermal energy beyond the limited number of sites with naturally occurring hydrothermal systems, aiming to reduce the exploration risk and cost associated with conventional geothermal development. AltaRock's business model includes providing its technology and services to enhance underperforming geothermal assets and developing new "greenfield" projects in areas with hot rock but no natural water circulation. For instance, the company has demonstrated the ability to improve the output of existing commercial projects by an average of 70%.

A key technological offering is SuperHot Rock (SHR) geothermal, which targets rock formations exceeding 400°C to produce up to ten times more energy than conventional wells. AltaRock also developed patented Thermally-degradable Zonal Isolation Materials (TZIMs) to improve the efficiency of creating these underground reservoirs. The company has engaged in significant demonstration projects, including at The Geysers in California, Blue Mountain in Nevada, and a major ongoing project at Newberry Volcano in Oregon, which holds the potential to power millions of homes. AltaRock is a venture-financed enterprise, having received backing from notable investors like Google.org, Vulcan Capital, and Khosla Ventures, alongside grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.