The collaboration brings together Gradient's modular geothermal technology and T5 Smackover Partners' integrated approach to developing geothermal energy from the Smackover Formation's geothermal brines. The project is designed to recover value from high-temperature, mineral-rich geothermal subsurface brines.
Gradient's HXC Geothermal System will utilize the thermal energy contained in the project's produced working fluid brine, providing an integrated solution that supports both heat management and geothermal power generation. By pairing geothermal power technology with direct lithium extraction, the project represents a new model for producing critical minerals while producing baseload electrons and reducing the development's overall environmental footprint.
"This project demonstrates what is possible when geothermal energy, geothermal brines, and critical-mineral production are designed as one integrated system," said Ben Burke, Chief Executive Officer of Gradient Geothermal. "T5 is developing an innovative energy project, and we are proud that Gradient's HXC technology will help convert the Smackover's substantial subsurface heat into a productive baseload energy resource."
T5 Smackover Partners is developing a vertically integrated energy platform intended to produce reliable geothermal energy in East Texas. The agreement marks an important step in the commercialization of an integrated geothermal and mineral-development model capable of delivering reliable energy, strengthening U.S. critical-mineral supply chains and creating long-term economic value for East Texas communities.
"We believe the future of the Smackover is about maximizing the value of the geothermal brine it can produce," said Cole Fisher, President and Co-Founder of T5 Smackover Partners. "By integrating Gradient's modular geothermal technology alongside our phase one production, we're creating a more efficient project that generates both baseload electricity from the same resource. This is exactly the type of innovation needed to strengthen domestic supply chains and establish East Texas as a leader in the next generation of geothermal energy."
