🌋 Scientists to drill into Icelandic volcano for unlimited power

Iceland is embarking on an unprecedented quest to tap into volcanic energy sources miles underground, and it could kickstart a global transformation for geothermal power. Scientists aim to drill directly into the Krafla volcano’s magma chamber by 2026 and unlock its renewable thermal reserves for clean electricity generation.

If proven successful and replicable elsewhere, making direct contact with superheated molten rock could open up an inexhaustible source of sustainable energy. Learn more about this bold plan and its likely consequences in today’s Must Read.

🎪 We’re reporting from CES 2024 in Las Vegas throughout this week, and we’ll bring you all the most exciting product launches, smartest innovations, and latest trends that will drive the tech narrative this year.

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The Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) initiative aims to sink an initial borehole over 5,000°F hot magma in Iceland by 2026, followed by a second full-scale well to evaluate how the volcanic heat could be used for to generate electricity.

The venture could pioneer safe direct contact with magma chambers long seen as renewable power’s final frontier. While still seeking the $100 million for specialized extreme drilling setups, the approach could sustainably generate 10 times the island’s energy needs. Krafla's shallow subterranean magma is among world’s most accessible superhot zones, and could be the first in a new class of virtually unlimited clean energy sources to draw directly on the Earth’s molten foundations. 

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