Traditional drilling methods primarily rely on mechanical force, utilising a rotatory system to grind and crush rock – a process that can be both time-consuming and costly. To overcome these limitations, the DeepU project introduces an innovative drilling technology that harnesses the power of laser energy combined with cryogenic gas, enabling rock fracturing with unprecedented speed and precision.

The overall aim of DeepU is to develop a deep (>4 km), closed-loop, vitrified, waterproof, non-cracked U-tube heat exchanger by integrating laser and cryogenic gas into a single cutting-edge drilling solution. 

The proposed technology is being tested at the laboratory scale in different rock types to verify its ability to liquefy and vitrify rock, ensuring the borehole is ready for heat exchange immediately after drilling. Laboratory demonstrations provide crucial data to assess the technological, environmental and economic sustainability of the proposed solution, while also defining its potential and commercial viability.