Salt Lake City-based energy infrastructure developer Fulcrum Point Holdings has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Rodatherm Energy Corp. to begin exploration of a next-generation geothermal energy project in Brigham City.
New technology to be deployed near Brigham City taps heat from two miles beneath the Earth's surface, using a refrigerant instead of water. A project to bring the alternative energy source to Box Elder County is expected to begin next year. (Courtesy Rodatherm Energy Corp.)
The project would tap underground heat in the region historically found insufficiently hot for power generation. However, Rodatherm says its new "waterless" geothermal technology now makes a Box Elder County development viable.
Rodatherm is a thermal energy development company based in Salt Lake City.
Fulcrum Point Holdings is an affiliate of Kennewick, Washington-based Hi Tech Solutions. Last fall, Hi Tech announced a partnership with Holtec International, builder of small modular nuclear reactors, to bring that technology to Brigham City. Under the proposed plan, the firms would build Utah's first nuclear plant — one of several to be deployed in the state under Gov. Spencer Cox's "Operation Gigawatt," a project designed to double Utah's power production over the 10 years, as announced by Cox in 2024.
Last year's announcement outlined plans to develop four to 10 small modular reactors, or SMRs, around the state, beginning in Brigham City. The planned power plant — one of the first of its type in the nation — would generate electricity for civilian and military use, lowering the cost of energy for Utah consumers, Cox said at the time.
Holtec is an American company that operates around the globe from its headquarters in Jupiter, Florida. Founded in 1986, the company provides equipment and systems for the energy industry, particularly in nuclear power generation and spent nuclear fuel management. Holtec's SMR-300 reactor will be the basis of the Brigham City plant.
The Brigham City SMR installation would also include a nuclear industry training program in conjunction with local universities and a reactor parts manufacturing operation, according to Rick Springman, Holtec's president of global clean energy opportunities.
Fulcrum Point has also announced plans to revive the Blue Castle nuclear project in Green River in a partnership with Blue Castle Holdings. That facility also will use Holtec SMR technology.
Box Elder County residents may begin to see installations such as this test site near Milford when Rodatherm Energy begins drilling into the area's geothermal resources next year. An agreement signed recently would bring the alternative energy generation to an area west of Brigham City. (Courtesy Rodatherm Energy Corp.)
Under the new agreement announced in late July, Fulcrum Point and Rodatherm will initially focus on planning and developing a flagship geothermal project in the Brigham City region. The first unit is planned with a 10-megawatt capacity — approximately enough to power 2,000 homes — with the potential for phased development of up to 200 megawatts of generating capability.
"Utah's growing energy needs will require multiple sources of reliable and locally produced power," said Chris Hayter, president of Fulcrum Point Holdings and co-founder of Hi Tech Solutions. "This collaboration expands our energy partnerships into geothermal and brings another important technology into the state's energy ecosystem, which supports Gov. Cox's Operation Gigawatt initiative. By combining Rodatherm's geothermal expertise with HTS's engineering, operations, maintenance and workforce capabilities, we can help develop projects that create jobs, strengthen communities and deliver dependable energy for Utah."
Rodatherm's new technology involves drilling wells approximately 2 miles deep and then extending the wells horizontally up to 3 miles, connecting to other wells in a closed-loop system. The loop forms an underground heat exchanger that produces enough heat for energy production without producing steam or using water.
Michael Dabbs, vice president of land for Rodatherm, explained the process in a presentation to the Box Elder County Commission. The company seeks the county's permission to extend underground wells beneath county roads
"Essentially, what we're creating, and this simplifies it, is the back of your fridge 2 miles below the ground," Dabbs told the commissioners.
Dabbs said the system circulates a liquid refrigerant through the underground wells, where it absorbs heat before returning to the surface to generate power. The fluid is then condensed and recycled through the system. The company estimates a production pad would occupy approximately three to four acres while drawing heat from an area of about 960 acres, according to Dabbs.
The commission approved an agreement July 23 allowing Rodatherm to develop subsurface resources — including drilling beneath county roads — across an area stretching from west of Honeyville to west of Brigham City. The agreement does not authorize construction or serve as a development permit, according to Scott Lyons, the county's director of community development.
"They would still need to go through any state permits and county land use permits, which is where more of the details of that — site locations and things where the wells are going to be and different things like that — will actually be located," Lyons said.
Rodatherm has been working with area property owners to lease subsurface development rights.
Rodatherm said it intends to start construction on the Brigham City project late in the first quarter of 2027. The firm also said it plans to negotiate a broader strategic development alliance supporting future projects throughout the Mountain West.
"The companies will continue to engage local leaders, stakeholders and community members throughout each stage of the evaluation and development process for feedback and review," said the joint announcement from Fulcrum Point and Rodatherm.
