Wilson Ricks
@wilsonar.bsky.social
PhD candidate working in Macro-Energy Systems modeling at Princeton University. Energy tech/policy evaluation, with a primary focus on next-gen geothermal.
Pinned
Wilson Ricks
@wilsonar.bsky.social
· Nov 29
A bit late on the announcement, but I'm happy to say that I successfully defended my doctoral dissertation, "Hot Rocks and H2: Modeling the Role of Emerging Technologies in the Electricity Sector," last month!
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
There's an important battle going on behind the scenes that will change how big companies buy clean energy and report their emissions. @wilsonar.bsky.social & @energykillian.bsky.social explain what's at stake and why these changes are important on @volts.wtf www.volts.wtf/p/the-escala... 🔌💡
The escalating battle over renewable energy certificates (RECs)
Wilson Ricks and Killian Daly on the wonky but crucial shift to hourly accounting for clean energy claims, which will better reflect the fact that being "100 percent clean" is genuinely difficult.
www.volts.wtf
October 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
There's an important battle going on behind the scenes that will change how big companies buy clean energy and report their emissions. @wilsonar.bsky.social & @energykillian.bsky.social explain what's at stake and why these changes are important on @volts.wtf www.volts.wtf/p/the-escala... 🔌💡
You love to see it:)
July 1, 2025 at 6:47 PM
You love to see it:)
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
it’s pretty wild that the nation’s first climate law is headed towards a chainsaw and the only people talking about it here are wonks
June 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
it’s pretty wild that the nation’s first climate law is headed towards a chainsaw and the only people talking about it here are wonks
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Looks like transferability of tax credits is maintained.
Foreign Entity of Concern language is substantively different from House bill, but still applied throughout. Critical question: is this workable for industry to comply with? Safe harbor language clarified (good). Stay tuned...
Foreign Entity of Concern language is substantively different from House bill, but still applied throughout. Critical question: is this workable for industry to comply with? Safe harbor language clarified (good). Stay tuned...
June 16, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Looks like transferability of tax credits is maintained.
Foreign Entity of Concern language is substantively different from House bill, but still applied throughout. Critical question: is this workable for industry to comply with? Safe harbor language clarified (good). Stay tuned...
Foreign Entity of Concern language is substantively different from House bill, but still applied throughout. Critical question: is this workable for industry to comply with? Safe harbor language clarified (good). Stay tuned...
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
What does the future of enhanced geothermal power generation look like?
Fervo offered an update to partners and investors at its #capeconnect event today, showcasing progress on its 100MW Cape Station project in UT.
I tagged along and I learned a lot. Some highlights based on my notes follow… 🔌💡
Fervo offered an update to partners and investors at its #capeconnect event today, showcasing progress on its 100MW Cape Station project in UT.
I tagged along and I learned a lot. Some highlights based on my notes follow… 🔌💡
June 11, 2025 at 11:26 PM
What does the future of enhanced geothermal power generation look like?
Fervo offered an update to partners and investors at its #capeconnect event today, showcasing progress on its 100MW Cape Station project in UT.
I tagged along and I learned a lot. Some highlights based on my notes follow… 🔌💡
Fervo offered an update to partners and investors at its #capeconnect event today, showcasing progress on its 100MW Cape Station project in UT.
I tagged along and I learned a lot. Some highlights based on my notes follow… 🔌💡
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
The advanced geothermal company Fervo says it drilled a 15,700 foot well and reached temperatures of 500°F (260°C) in just 16 days of drilling.
That’s a big improvement from last year, when it drilled an 8000 ft well and reached 370°F temps in 41 days.
www.linkedin.com/posts/timlat...
That’s a big improvement from last year, when it drilled an 8000 ft well and reached 370°F temps in 41 days.
www.linkedin.com/posts/timlat...
Fervo Energy Drills 15,000-FT, 500°F Geothermal Well, Pushing the Envelope… | Tim Latimer | 16 comments
Excited to announce Fervo Energy's latest field results, where we have set a new standard for deep geothermal well drilling with the Sugarloaf Appraisal well: 15,000+ feet, 500°F. All in just 16 d...
www.linkedin.com
June 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The advanced geothermal company Fervo says it drilled a 15,700 foot well and reached temperatures of 500°F (260°C) in just 16 days of drilling.
That’s a big improvement from last year, when it drilled an 8000 ft well and reached 370°F temps in 41 days.
www.linkedin.com/posts/timlat...
That’s a big improvement from last year, when it drilled an 8000 ft well and reached 370°F temps in 41 days.
www.linkedin.com/posts/timlat...
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
“We know a number of entomologists. One of our very good friends now does not have the emotional courage to hang up a sheet to collect moths at night. It is too devastating to see how few there are.”
Just deeply, deeply alarming
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Just deeply, deeply alarming
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Half the tree of life’: ecologists’ horror as nature reserves are emptied of insects
A new point in history has been reached, entomologists say, as climate-led species’ collapse moves up the food chain even in supposedly protected regions free of pesticides
www.theguardian.com
June 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
“We know a number of entomologists. One of our very good friends now does not have the emotional courage to hang up a sheet to collect moths at night. It is too devastating to see how few there are.”
Just deeply, deeply alarming
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Just deeply, deeply alarming
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I am happy to announce that the final piece of my doctoral work on next-generation geothermal technologies has been accepted for publication as a research article in 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘦, with an open-access manuscript available at doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
May 28, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I am happy to announce that the final piece of my doctoral work on next-generation geothermal technologies has been accepted for publication as a research article in 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘦, with an open-access manuscript available at doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
PJM gets a lot more (still deserved) attention on the subject, but Bonneville Power Authority has been absolutely abysmal at connecting clean power in Oregon and Washington. Just ONE project has gotten approved in the last decade, and advertised wait time is 15 years!
When they set out to make their power supply 100% green, Northwest leaders ignored the fact that the region lacks the wiring to deliver new sources of renewable energy to people’s homes.
Little has been done to change that, ProPublica and @opb.org found.
Little has been done to change that, ProPublica and @opb.org found.
How the Pacific Northwest’s Dream of Green Energy Fell Apart
The Northwest states passed aggressive goals to decarbonize the power supply but left it to the Bonneville Power Administration to build the transmission lines needed for wind and solar. The agency…
www.propublica.org
May 14, 2025 at 3:24 PM
PJM gets a lot more (still deserved) attention on the subject, but Bonneville Power Authority has been absolutely abysmal at connecting clean power in Oregon and Washington. Just ONE project has gotten approved in the last decade, and advertised wait time is 15 years!
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Everyone says enhanced geothermal is the next fracking. That's only a little "bit" true.
The shale fracking boom was a product of its unique market structure. Enhanced geothermal is very different.
Latest from me and @buddyyakov.bsky.social at CPE—here's what a geothermal boom *really* requires:
The shale fracking boom was a product of its unique market structure. Enhanced geothermal is very different.
Latest from me and @buddyyakov.bsky.social at CPE—here's what a geothermal boom *really* requires:
April 29, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Everyone says enhanced geothermal is the next fracking. That's only a little "bit" true.
The shale fracking boom was a product of its unique market structure. Enhanced geothermal is very different.
Latest from me and @buddyyakov.bsky.social at CPE—here's what a geothermal boom *really* requires:
The shale fracking boom was a product of its unique market structure. Enhanced geothermal is very different.
Latest from me and @buddyyakov.bsky.social at CPE—here's what a geothermal boom *really* requires:
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Some big Fervo Energy news today. We’re excited to welcome Shell as a new customer at Project Cape. And announce that we are upsizing the project by 100 MW to 500 MW, using the same number of planned wells, due to productivity breakthroughs we have achieved.
www.houstonchronicle.com/business/ene...
www.houstonchronicle.com/business/ene...
Houston geothermal company Fervo to sell power from Utah project to Shell Energy
Fervo Energy, a Houston-based geothermal company, will upsize its Cape Station project in Utah to 500 megawatts.
www.houstonchronicle.com
April 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Some big Fervo Energy news today. We’re excited to welcome Shell as a new customer at Project Cape. And announce that we are upsizing the project by 100 MW to 500 MW, using the same number of planned wells, due to productivity breakthroughs we have achieved.
www.houstonchronicle.com/business/ene...
www.houstonchronicle.com/business/ene...
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
WoodMac releases it's latest US wind market report. www.woodmac.com/press-releas...
Here's the good, bad and ugly...
(mini 🧵)
🔌💡
Here's the good, bad and ugly...
(mini 🧵)
🔌💡
www.woodmac.com
April 9, 2025 at 7:25 PM
WoodMac releases it's latest US wind market report. www.woodmac.com/press-releas...
Here's the good, bad and ugly...
(mini 🧵)
🔌💡
Here's the good, bad and ugly...
(mini 🧵)
🔌💡
And like half of the private foreign aid is just Bill Gates. For all the criticism of Effective Altruism, private philanthropy really does suck at allocating resources where they're needed most (total US charitable giving is $550bn/yr)
Most of the world’s foreign aid comes from governments, not philanthropic foundations
April 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
And like half of the private foreign aid is just Bill Gates. For all the criticism of Effective Altruism, private philanthropy really does suck at allocating resources where they're needed most (total US charitable giving is $550bn/yr)
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Next-generation geothermal energy has a number of advantages in meeting growing US electricity demand from data centers. Our recent analysis shows it could economically meet up to 64% of this expected electricity demand growth by the early 2030s. Learn more: rhg.com/research/geo...
March 27, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Next-generation geothermal energy has a number of advantages in meeting growing US electricity demand from data centers. Our recent analysis shows it could economically meet up to 64% of this expected electricity demand growth by the early 2030s. Learn more: rhg.com/research/geo...
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Thanks a million to @ricoconnell.bsky.social @wilsonar.bsky.social and Julia Matevosyan for joining @sarabaldwin.bsky.social and me for a discussion on grid reliability in the clean energy transition today!! Check out the conversation here
Webinar: Grid Reliability in the Clean Energy Transition
YouTube video by Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology
www.youtube.com
March 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Thanks a million to @ricoconnell.bsky.social @wilsonar.bsky.social and Julia Matevosyan for joining @sarabaldwin.bsky.social and me for a discussion on grid reliability in the clean energy transition today!! Check out the conversation here
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Come hear @michelle-solomon.bsky.social @ricoconnell.bsky.social @sarabaldwin.bsky.social @wilsonar.bsky.social and Julia Matevosyan talk about grid reliability in a clean energy grid this Wednesday! energyinnovation.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Grid Reliability in the Clean Energy Transition. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Join Energy Innovation and GridLab on March 26, 2 pm ET for a virtual discussion with grid reliability experts to explore how clean energy makes the grid more reliable and affordable, while also ensur...
energyinnovation.zoom.us
March 24, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Come hear @michelle-solomon.bsky.social @ricoconnell.bsky.social @sarabaldwin.bsky.social @wilsonar.bsky.social and Julia Matevosyan talk about grid reliability in a clean energy grid this Wednesday! energyinnovation.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Great victory for communities, clean air, and climate action in WA State: Superior Court judge rules that I 2066 is unconstitutional. Decision leaves in place energy efficiency and gas appliance standards that made WA a national leader. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
WA’s natural gas initiative unconstitutional, King County judge rules
Washington voters in November narrowly approved I-2066 to protect access to natural gas. Here's what to know about a judge's ruling on its constitutionality.
www.seattletimes.com
March 22, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Great victory for communities, clean air, and climate action in WA State: Superior Court judge rules that I 2066 is unconstitutional. Decision leaves in place energy efficiency and gas appliance standards that made WA a national leader. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Haven't seen any posts about it, but this CEQA categorical exclusion for geothermal exploration in California seems like a big deal!
legiscan.com/CA/text/AB52...
🔌💡
legiscan.com/CA/text/AB52...
🔌💡
California AB527 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session
Bill Text (2025-03-03) California Environmental Quality Act: geothermal exploratory projects. [Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.]
legiscan.com
March 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Haven't seen any posts about it, but this CEQA categorical exclusion for geothermal exploration in California seems like a big deal!
legiscan.com/CA/text/AB52...
🔌💡
legiscan.com/CA/text/AB52...
🔌💡
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Hey #EnergySky if you use public US energy data for any kind of analysis, we'd love to learn more about your data needs, tooling, and frustrations. Short (<10min) survey up here.
@costasamaras.com @catiehausman.bsky.social @gschivley.bsky.social @jessedjenkins.com
forms.gle/VWbVNnKX9UvL...
@costasamaras.com @catiehausman.bsky.social @gschivley.bsky.social @jessedjenkins.com
forms.gle/VWbVNnKX9UvL...
2025 Public Utility Data Liberation Ecosystem Survey
Welcome to the PUDL ecosystem survey! We want to learn a few things:
What kinds of energy data work are people doing? This helps us understand our potential impact.
What is most important to energy da...
forms.gle
March 11, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Hey #EnergySky if you use public US energy data for any kind of analysis, we'd love to learn more about your data needs, tooling, and frustrations. Short (<10min) survey up here.
@costasamaras.com @catiehausman.bsky.social @gschivley.bsky.social @jessedjenkins.com
forms.gle/VWbVNnKX9UvL...
@costasamaras.com @catiehausman.bsky.social @gschivley.bsky.social @jessedjenkins.com
forms.gle/VWbVNnKX9UvL...
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
24/7 clean procurement catalyses learning for long-duration energy storage and clean dispatchable power - new op-ed in @latitudemedia.bsky.social! 🔌💡
www.latitudemedia.com/news/how-24-...
www.latitudemedia.com/news/how-24-...
How 24/7 carbon-free energy can catalyze clean energy innovation
Accelerating the commercialization of advanced technologies creates a ripple effect that benefits the entire electricity system.
www.latitudemedia.com
February 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
24/7 clean procurement catalyses learning for long-duration energy storage and clean dispatchable power - new op-ed in @latitudemedia.bsky.social! 🔌💡
www.latitudemedia.com/news/how-24-...
www.latitudemedia.com/news/how-24-...
🔌💡
Reminder: the first MES Speaker Series event of 2025 is happening today at 1PM ET!
Register via the link below to join us for a discussion of advanced technologies and they could play in future energy systems.
Register via the link below to join us for a discussion of advanced technologies and they could play in future energy systems.
The MES Speaker Series is back!
Join us at 1pm ET next Thursday, February 13th for a panel discussion on our latest topic, "The Role of Advanced Technologies in a Future Energy System."
Register for the event at umich.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us at 1pm ET next Thursday, February 13th for a panel discussion on our latest topic, "The Role of Advanced Technologies in a Future Energy System."
Register for the event at umich.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
February 13, 2025 at 3:36 PM
🔌💡
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Reminder: the first MES Speaker Series event of 2025 is happening today at 1PM ET!
Register via the link below to join us for a discussion of advanced technologies and they could play in future energy systems.
Register via the link below to join us for a discussion of advanced technologies and they could play in future energy systems.
The MES Speaker Series is back!
Join us at 1pm ET next Thursday, February 13th for a panel discussion on our latest topic, "The Role of Advanced Technologies in a Future Energy System."
Register for the event at umich.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us at 1pm ET next Thursday, February 13th for a panel discussion on our latest topic, "The Role of Advanced Technologies in a Future Energy System."
Register for the event at umich.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
February 13, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reminder: the first MES Speaker Series event of 2025 is happening today at 1PM ET!
Register via the link below to join us for a discussion of advanced technologies and they could play in future energy systems.
Register via the link below to join us for a discussion of advanced technologies and they could play in future energy systems.
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
Great episode of @volts.wtf, featuring a shoutout of collaborative research between Fervo Energy and Andlinger Center researchers @jessedjenkins.com and @wilsonar.bsky.social on the potential value-add from operating enhanced geothermal systems flexibly!
www.volts.wtf/p/catching-u...
www.volts.wtf/p/catching-u...
Catching up with enhanced geothermal
A deep dive into Fervo's geothermal breakthrough: slashing costs, scaling up, and uniting the political spectrum behind always-on clean power
www.volts.wtf
February 12, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Great episode of @volts.wtf, featuring a shoutout of collaborative research between Fervo Energy and Andlinger Center researchers @jessedjenkins.com and @wilsonar.bsky.social on the potential value-add from operating enhanced geothermal systems flexibly!
www.volts.wtf/p/catching-u...
www.volts.wtf/p/catching-u...
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
UPDATE: The Army Corps of Engineers is now claiming in a statement to me that it has lifted its pause on permitting activity for renewables projects.
cc @heatmap.news
cc @heatmap.news
February 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
UPDATE: The Army Corps of Engineers is now claiming in a statement to me that it has lifted its pause on permitting activity for renewables projects.
cc @heatmap.news
cc @heatmap.news
Reposted by Wilson Ricks
It's a bummer that this is necessary, but the federal data archiving collaboration we're part of has created an independent mirror of the EJScreen tool here: #EnergySky
screening-tools.com/climate-econ...
screening-tools.com/climate-econ...
February 6, 2025 at 4:44 AM
It's a bummer that this is necessary, but the federal data archiving collaboration we're part of has created an independent mirror of the EJScreen tool here: #EnergySky
screening-tools.com/climate-econ...
screening-tools.com/climate-econ...