Eavor founder and CEO John Redfern was listed within The Power List 2024 curated by Maclean’s Magazine, earning a place among the top 10 influential individuals in Canada championing climate-friendly solutions.
Maclean’s described Eavor’s closed-loop technology as the solution that “cracked the code” to globally scaling geothermal, providing sustainable clean energy while simultaneously expanding a once-niche industry.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, geothermal electricity accounted for only 0.5 percent of the global renewable energy capacity, having grown at an average rate of approximately 3.5 percent per year. However, recent news has an optimistic outlook for the future of geothermal, anticipating the upcoming years to be the “hottest decade yet.” Redfern noted that while the vast geothermal resources have long been recognized, the technology required to access superhot rock in an economically sound way was lacking.
As Maclean’s highlighted, the project at Geretsried aims to prove Next-Generation Geothermal’s global viability. Using two of Europe’s largest drilling rigs, Eavor is constructing a closed-loop system in the Earth’s subsurface and will circulate a working fluid independent of surrounding rock. Heat will then be extracted via conduction and pumped up to the surface. This circulation will happen naturally and without intervention within the system thanks to the thermosiphon effect, which involves the process of cold water descending and hot water ascending. This project is set to provide 60 MWth of heat and 8.2 MW of power by 2026.
The Power List 2024 encompasses 10 categories containing 100 Canadians that have shaped or benefitted the country of that current year. The list features influential Canadians across various fields such as sports, education, healthcare, and business. Notable figures include Olympic medalists, Canadian government ministers, and international icons like Ryan Reynolds, who Maclean’s described as “Hollywood’s most bankable venture capitalist.”
As Eavor’s technology continues to gain recognition for its transformative potential in the energy sector, the company strives to continue optimizing its technology to provide always-on power that can deliver energy autonomy to the world. Redfern and Eavor’s mission reflects a commitment to providing sustainable solutions that drive innovation and economic growth, both in Canada and abroad.