After nearly two decades in oil and gas, Harun Bitlis made a bold pivot to geothermal energy. Now serving as the drilling manager at QHeat, he’s convinced that the future of sustainable heating lies beneath our feet. We sat down with Harun to chat about his transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the dynamics of startup life, and the shifts we’re seeing in the global energy industry.
I’m a 42-year-old professional and proud father of three. I’m originally from Turkey but have been living in Finland for over a year. I have a degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering and have built a career in the oil and gas industry since 2007, working with major operators and service companies. My expertise lies in drilling and well intervention, and I have gained extensive experience managing onshore and offshore drilling sites across many countries, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Congo, and Finland. Throughout these roles, I have been deeply involved in the engineering aspects of drilling operations, focussing on technical excellence and operational efficiency.
The thing that inspired me about QHeat was its pioneering work in drilling the deepest geothermal wells in the Nordic region and its heat storage technology. No other company can store heat energy as effectively—and we need to introduce this technology to the world. QHeat’s innovation is also aligned with my values of promoting clean and emission-free energy production. While many renewable energy sources still produce some emissions, we offer energy companies a clean alternative. I’m excited to be part of this transformation and to help introduce this technology to the energy market.
In large companies, you can sometimes feel you’re just a number in the crowd. However, the role I hold now is far more inspiring—it truly feels like I’m working for my own company. QHeat has already executed large-scale projects with big companies, positioning us as more of a scaleup than a startup. I find the company’s clear vision motivating, and I’m excited about the value we can bring to the entire industry. What I appreciate most is the openness to new ideas and the way we work together as a tightly-knit team. I notice myself being very enthusiastic about the projects we do.
The major oil and gas companies are all trying to change. As electricity demand continues to rise, many of them are aiming to transition into full-fledged energy companies. Their approach is twofold: expanding into electricity production and exploring natural sources for heating. Geothermal energy has caught the attention of these major players, but they’ll need to prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term profits. Investing in geothermal energy might seem expensive right now, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial costs. The situation reminds me of the electric vehicle industry. A decade ago, investment in that industry seemed risky, but now, it has been proven to be highly profitable. We’re seeing similar potential in geothermal energy, particularly for heating, which is often overlooked.
In Europe, around 60% of heating demand is still met through fossil fuels. This makes the use of geothermal energy in heating both a smart business move and a critical step toward sustainability. Geothermal energy is a self-sufficient, renewable solution to meeting heating demands, helping to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and provide a long-term, stable alternative. QHeat technology is particularly important in storing excess heat that’s often wasted, such as the heat produced by data centers. This energy storing capacity makes it possible to use the excess energy more effectively. It also supports the concept of smarter heating grids, which optimize the distribution of energy to ensure efficiency. Ultimately, relying on geothermal energy for heating means we can become significantly less reliant on fossil fuels and lower carbon footprints.
Given the current political climate, now is an ideal time to explore and invest in new heating technologies. European countries must become less dependent on natural gas and fossil fuels and develop scalable solutions for heating. This is particularly crucial for colder Northern European countries. Unlike intermittent solar and wind power, geothermal wells offer consistent energy year-round, making them vital for creating reliable heating grids. While natural gas is dependent on a few suppliers who hold a lot of power over the distribution chain, with QHeat’s technology, entire cities could become nearly self-sufficient energy producers. When large-scale industrial and residential complexes can generate their own heat, they gain control over the price and availability of heating and also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future. This shift represents a fundamental change in how we approach urban energy systems, with a focus on reducing environmental impact.
Learn more about QHeat as a company.
