Controlled Thermal Resources
Controlled Thermal Resources is a privately-held U.S. developer of the Hell's Kitchen Lithium and Power Project at California's Salton Sea, integrating direct lithium extraction (DLE) with geothermal baseload power to produce battery-grade lithium and 24/7 renewable electricity for EV OEMs, utilities, and data center operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersImperial, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Controlled Thermal Resources does
Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) is a privately-held developer of integrated geothermal power and battery-grade lithium production, headquartered in Imperial, California, with Australian corporate origins and a Delaware-incorporated U.S. operating entity. Its flagship 4,000-acre Hell's Kitchen Lithium and Power Project at the Salton Sea in Imperial Valley uses a vertically integrated process in which hot geothermal brine is drawn from production wells (HK1, HK2; 8,000-8,618 ft), silica and other problematic minerals are removed, polymetallic byproducts (zinc, manganese, silver, strontium) are recovered, direct lithium extraction (DLE) isolates lithium from the cleaned brine, and the spent brine is re-injected into the formation. The geothermal energy generated in this process powers onsite refining of battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM), avoiding open-pit mining, evaporation ponds, and overseas processing.
CTR sells under long-dated bilateral contracts: a 10-year binding offtake with Stellantis (up to 65,000 metric tons/year of LHM, with supply scheduled to commence in 2027), a Definitive Supply Agreement with General Motors extending beyond 10 years for its Ultium-platform EVs, a 25-year, 40 MW Power Purchase Agreement with Imperial Irrigation District via Hell's Kitchen PowerCo 1, LLC, and an LOI with Statevolt for a co-located 54 GWh gigafactory. Pricing is negotiated bilaterally and not publicly disclosed. To date CTR has secured more than $285 million in private investment (including over $100 million from Stellantis), $4.46 million in California Energy Commission EPIC grants, and on March 9, 2026 announced a $4.7 billion business combination with Plum Acquisition Corp. IV to list on Nasdaq under CTRH in H2 2026, deploying approximately $300 million of proceeds into Stage 1 (50 MW power + 25,000 metric tons/year lithium carbonate, targeting 2028-2029 production).
The technology stack is delivered through more than eight years of collaboration with Baker Hughes (Field Development Plan validating 600 MW net baseload with >95% capacity factor), Lilac Solutions (DLE technology), Aquatech (US$1 billion lithium hydroxide refining facility), Fuji Electric (geothermal turbines), and Hargrove Engineers (EPC). Two new corporate subsidiaries extend the platform: American Data Power (launched January 2026, dedicated to delivering 600 MW of clean baseload power to hyperscale data center and AI infrastructure customers) and American Critical Resources (announced November 2025 for a separate U.S. stock exchange listing in mid-2026 to finance broader critical minerals production).
Controlled Thermal Resources firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Controlled Thermal Resources
- Legal name
- Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings, Inc.
- Website
- https://cthermal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Controlled Thermal Resources is a privately-held U.S. developer of the Hell's Kitchen Lithium and Power Project at California's Salton Sea, integrating direct lithium extraction (DLE) with geothermal baseload power to produce battery-grade lithium and 24/7 renewable electricity for EV OEMs, utilities, and data center operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Controlled Thermal Resources industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Geothermal Power and Battery-Grade Lithium Production
- NAICS
- Battery Manufacturing (33591), Electric Power Generation (22111)
- SIC
- Mining & Quarrying Of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) (1400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Battery-Grade Chemical Processing (LiOH/Li2CO3, Ni/Co Sulfates, Mn Sulfate) (IMAKAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Lithium Mining & Brine Extraction (IMAKAFAA), Battery Raw Materials Mining & Refining (Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, Graphite) (EUAFABAA)
Keywords
Where Controlled Thermal Resources is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Imperial
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Controlled Thermal Resources business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) offtake sales: Long-dated (10-year) binding offtake agreements with major automakers to supply battery-grade LHM (e.g., 25,000 mt/year to Stellantis, later expanded to 65,000 mt/year, plus GM supply agreement). Revenue begins with planned 2027 supply to Stellantis. Modeled as recurring long-term contract sales.
- Geothermal baseload power sales (PPA): Long-dated Power Purchase Agreement with utility off-takers (e.g., 25-year, 40 MW PPA with Imperial Irrigation District via Hell's Kitchen PowerCo 1, LLC) for baseload renewable electricity. Future expansion targets 50 MW (Stage 1) up to 600 MW net baseload.
- SPAC public listing / equity capital raise: $4.7B business combination with Plum Acquisition Corp. IV to list on Nasdaq under CTRH in the second half of the year, with the company planning to deploy ~$300M of proceeds to advance Hell's Kitchen. This is a one-time capital infusion at listing.
- Subsidiary listing (American Critical Resources): Planned U.S. stock exchange listing of subsidiary American Critical Resources (ACR) in mid-2026 to finance the Hell's Kitchen Project and U.S. critical minerals production.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Battery-grade LHM — long-term negotiated offtake contracts (e.g., 10-year) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Geothermal baseload power — 25-year PPA at 40 MW with IID |
Go-to-market motion5 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Controlled Thermal Resources product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Controlled Thermal Resources operates the Hell's Kitchen Lithium and Power Project at the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California, co-producing battery-grade lithium (carbonate and lithium hydroxide monohydrate) and 24/7 baseload geothermal electricity from the same geothermal brine via direct lithium extraction (DLE). The integrated, vertically engineered process eliminates open-pit mining, evaporation ponds, and overseas processing by refining lithium on-site, with polymetallics (zinc, manganese, silver) and potash recovered as commercial by-products.
Product overview
Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) operates a single integrated platform centered on the Hell's Kitchen Lithium and Power Project in California's Imperial Valley, rather than a portfolio of separate software products. The flagship Hell's Kitchen project combines a core direct lithium extraction (DLE) process technology with two core product outputs — battery-grade Lithium Carbonate and Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM, planned for production at the Aquatech US$1 billion facility) — co-produced alongside base-load Geothermal Power and several co-products including Polymetallics (zinc, manganese, silver) and Potash. The project is operated through dedicated project entities (Hell's Kitchen PowerCo 1 LLC, Hell's Kitchen LithiumCo, Hell's Kitchen Geothermal LLC, and Hell's Kitchen Trading LLC). Two corporate subsidiaries extend the platform: American Data Power, which packages CTR's clean baseload power for AI and data center customers, and American Critical Resources (ACR), the broader critical minerals and clean energy subsidiary being prepared for a public listing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- American Data Power: CTR subsidiary dedicated to U.S. clean energy development, delivering a utility-scale energy complex at the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California, with 600 MW of net baseload power targeted at hyperscale data centers, AI infrastructure, and grid decarbonization.
- American Critical Resources (ACR)
- Hell's Kitchen
Products and services
- Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate Battery-grade lithium carbonate produced on-site at the Salton Sea from geothermal brine via direct lithium extraction (DLE) and downstream processing, intended as a core component for EV batteries and battery energy storage systems.
- Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM) Battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate produced at CTR's dedicated US$1 billion Lithium Hydroxide Facility (delivered with Aquatech), targeted at cathode-grade lithium supply for North American EV battery production under a 10-year offtake with Stellantis (up to 65,000 mt/year).
- Geothermal Baseload Power 24/7 baseload renewable geothermal electricity generated at Hell's Kitchen, designed for grid supply, advanced manufacturing, and dedicated to hyperscale data center and AI infrastructure demand via the American Data Power subsidiary.
- Polymetallics (Zinc, Manganese, Silver) Commercial by-products recovered alongside lithium from the geothermal brine stream at Hell's Kitchen, including zinc and manganese used for high-performance battery cathodes and silver.
- Potash Potash produced as a co-product of the lithium extraction process from geothermal brine at the Salton Sea, used as an essential fertilizer for U.S. and global agriculture.
Quantifiable outcome
- ~600 MW net baseload power with >95% capacity factor at full build (Hell's Kitchen)
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Controlled Thermal Resources
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Controlled Thermal Resources technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Controlled Thermal Resources partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered subsidiary planned for separate u.s. listing (mid-2026), flagship technology / co-development partner (8+ years), regional ecosystem partner (lithium valley), workforce development partner, major engineering / epc partner for lithium refining, major equipment supplier for geothermal power facilities, major co-location / gigafactory partner, engineering / construction services partner, core technology partner and core utility / off-take partner.
- American Critical Resources (ACR)subsidiary planned for separate u.s. listing (mid-2026)CTR announced plans to list its subsidiary American Critical Resources on U.S. stock exchanges in mid-2026 to finance Hell's Kitchen critical minerals production aligned with U.S. strategic priorities.
- Baker Hughesflagship technology / co-development partner (8+ years)Eight-plus years of collaboration culminated in a Field Development Plan validating 600 MW net baseload power with >95% capacity factor at Hell's Kitchen. Joint work on a 500 MW geothermal project to power data center / AI growth. Technical and commercial validation is in place for Stage One (50 MW power and critical minerals).
- EnergySource Mineralsregional ecosystem partner (lithium valley)EnergySource Minerals and CTR are co-developing geothermal lithium at Lithium Valley and partner in the LIFT the Valley workforce program. EnergySource signed a lithium supply contract with Ford Motor Co.
- Imperial Valley College (IVC)workforce development partnerCTR is an industry partner in IVC's LIFT the Valley: Lithium Industry Force Training program, co-developing Plant Operator, Chemical Lab Technician, and Instrumentation Technician certification curricula for the lithium workforce.
- Aquatech Internationalmajor engineering / epc partner for lithium refiningCTR selected Aquatech for its US$1 billion Lithium Hydroxide Facility in California, covering the design and delivery of the lithium hydroxide refining complex at Hell's Kitchen.
- Fuji Electricmajor equipment supplier for geothermal power facilitiesCTR set to tap Fuji Electric for delivery of multiple geothermal power facilities at Hell's Kitchen, providing turbines / power generation equipment for the integrated complex.
- Statevolt (spin-off of Italvolt)major co-location / gigafactory partnerLetter of Intent signed with Lars Carlstrom (founder-CEO of Italvolt) for Statevolt to source renewable power and lithium from CTR. Statevolt planned a 54 GWh, ~$4B gigafactory in Imperial Valley, supplying batteries for ~650,000 EVs/year at full capacity. Includes geothermal power and lithium supply arrangement to enable a 'hyperlocal' supply chain.
- Hargrove Engineers & Constructorsengineering / construction services partnerCTR and Hargrove partnered to deliver sustainable U.S. lithium facilities at Hell's Kitchen, providing engineering, procurement, and construction support services.
- Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE Renewables)regional ecosystem partner (lithium valley)BHE Renewables is mentioned alongside CTR and EnergySource as the three companies developing DLE projects at the Salton Sea, and is co-developing lithium extraction with Lilac Solutions. BHE is also an industry partner in the LIFT the Valley workforce program.
- Lilac Solutionscore technology partnerLilac and CTR announced a partnership to develop a lithium-extraction facility at the Salton Sea using Lilac's ion-exchange DLE technology, with the goal of building the area's first new geothermal power plant in a decade. Lilac is also working with Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
- Imperial Irrigation District (IID)core utility / off-take partnerCTR's Hell's Kitchen PowerCo 1, LLC signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with IID on January 7, 2020, to supply 40 MW of geothermal energy from Hell's Kitchen. Supports IID's renewable energy goals and grid stability as California moves to more renewables.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Controlled Thermal Resources competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EnergySource Minerals: Salton Sea DLE developer extracting lithium from geothermal brine with a binding Ford lithium supply contract; comparable to CTR as a direct competitor pursuing the same resource with similar customers and policy tailwinds.
- Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE Renewables): Operating 10+ geothermal plants at the Salton Sea and co-developing DLE with Lilac Solutions; directly comparable to CTR in resource access, geothermal power generation, and integrated lithium extraction.
- Lilac Solutions: Ion-exchange DLE technology provider partnered with both CTR and BHE Renewables at the Salton Sea; comparable as a DLE technology peer supplying the same resource CTR exploits.
- Standard Lithium: DLE lithium developer with projects in Arkansas (Smackover) and other U.S. basins pursuing similar battery-grade lithium offtake economics; comparable as a DLE-focused peer in the U.S. critical minerals theme.
- Vulcan Energy Resources: Geothermal lithium developer in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley producing both renewable baseload power and battery-grade lithium; closely comparable to CTR's integrated geothermal-power-plus-lithium business model.
Emerging players
- Ioneer Ltd: U.S.-listed developer of the Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project in Nevada with a binding offtake with Ford; comparable as an emerging U.S. critical-minerals developer targeting OEM supply chains like CTR.
- TerraPower: Bill Gates-backed advanced nuclear and clean energy company developing Kemmerer Unit 1 with adjacent critical-minerals policy goals; thematically comparable as a U.S. clean energy + critical minerals platform pursuing similar federal policy and capital-markets pathways.
Broad incumbents
- Ormat Technologies: Established global geothermal power generator with extensive Salton Sea-area operations; comparable to CTR as a broad incumbent in geothermal baseload power adjacent to CTR's core resource.
- Albemarle Corporation: Largest Western lithium producer with brine (Salar de Atacama) and hard-rock assets supplying global battery markets; comparable to CTR as a broad incumbent in the same end-market that U.S. policy is seeking to localize.
- Livent (Arcadium Lithium): Major battery-grade lithium hydroxide producer (now part of Arcadium Lithium); directly comparable as a broad incumbent supplying cathode-grade lithium hydroxide to the same EV OEMs CTR is contracting with.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Controlled Thermal Resources social profiles
Digital presenceControlled Thermal Resources compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Controlled Thermal Resources financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Controlled Thermal Resources leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Controlled Thermal Resources subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Controlled Thermal Resources funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Controlled Thermal Resources M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Controlled Thermal Resources
What does Controlled Thermal Resources do?
Controlled Thermal Resources operates the Hell's Kitchen Lithium and Power Project at the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California, co-producing battery-grade lithium (carbonate and lithium hydroxide monohydrate) and 24/7 baseload geothermal electricity from the same geothermal brine via direct lithium extraction (DLE). The integrated, vertically engineered process eliminates open-pit mining, evaporation ponds, and overseas processing by refining lithium on-site, with polymetallics (zinc, manganese, silver) and potash recovered as commercial by-products.
Is Controlled Thermal Resources a public or private company?
Controlled Thermal Resources is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Controlled Thermal Resources founded?
Controlled Thermal Resources was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Controlled Thermal Resources based?
Controlled Thermal Resources is headquartered in Imperial, United States, in the North America region.
How does Controlled Thermal Resources make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) offtake sales are the primary driver. The others are geothermal baseload power sales (PPA), SPAC public listing / equity capital raise and subsidiary listing (American Critical Resources).
Who are Controlled Thermal Resources's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EnergySource Minerals, Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE Renewables), Lilac Solutions, Standard Lithium and Vulcan Energy Resources. Emerging players are Ioneer Ltd and TerraPower. Broad incumbents are Ormat Technologies, Albemarle Corporation and Livent (Arcadium Lithium).
Does Controlled Thermal Resources have an API?
No public API is recorded for Controlled Thermal Resources.
What industry is Controlled Thermal Resources in?
Controlled Thermal Resources's product category is Geothermal Power and Battery-Grade Lithium Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAFAI, Battery-Grade Chemical Processing (LiOH/Li2CO3, Ni/Co Sulfates, Mn Sulfate), with a secondary code of IMAKAFAA, Lithium Mining & Brine Extraction. Its NAICS code is 33591 and its SIC code is 1400.