AI Unlocks Hidden Geothermal Energy in Nevada Desert

A startup company, Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals, has successfully utilized artificial intelligence to discover a substantial geothermal reservoir located deep beneath the Nevada desert. This "blind" site, named "Big Blind," contains water heated to 250°F, and importantly, lacks any surface indicators like hot springs, making its identification a significant achievement.

This discovery is particularly noteworthy as it represents the first "blind" geothermal site found by the industry in over 30 years. Geothermal energy offers a consistent and clean power source, a crucial advantage over intermittent renewables like solar and wind. Zanskar's AI models were trained on data from accidentally discovered blind sites, enabling them to identify subtle patterns indicating the presence of these hidden energy reserves.

Drilling confirmed the reservoir's existence and temperature at approximately 2,700 feet. Zanskar estimates that electricity generation could commence within three to five years, pending regulatory processes and grid connections. Experts believe that identifying such blind sites could unlock vast amounts of untapped geothermal potential across the western United States, potentially generating hundreds of gigawatts of clean energy.