Geothermal

New report says there's a ton waiting to be used

Posted by David Roberts at 11:28 AM on 22 Jan 2007

Read more about: energy | geothermal power

A comprehensive new MIT-led study of the potential for geothermal energy within the United States has found that mining the huge amounts of heat that reside as stored thermal energy in the Earth's hard rock crust could supply a substantial portion of the electricity the United States will need in the future, probably at competitive prices and with minimal environmental impact.

An 18-member panel led by MIT prepared the 400-plus page study, titled "The Future of Geothermal Energy." Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, it is the first study in some 30 years to take a new look at geothermal, an energy resource that has been largely ignored.

Here's what the MIT panel recommends:

More detailed and site-specific assessments of the U.S. geothermal energy resource should be conducted.

Field trials running three to five years at several sites should be done to demonstrate commercial-scale engineered geothermal systems.

The shallow, extra-hot, high-grade deposits in the west should be explored and tested first.

Other geothermal resources such as co-produced hot water associated with oil and gas production and geopressured resources should also be pursued as short-term options.

On a longer time scale, deeper, lower-grade geothermal deposits should be explored and tested.

Local and national policies should be enacted that encourage geothermal development.

A multiyear research program exploring subsurface science and geothermal drilling and energy conversion should be started, backed by constant analysis of results.

For story: Geothermal
1 Comment | Post a Comment

hurray subsurface!

It is wonderful good news that people are seriously thinking along these lines.

Of course, the deep crust might be all that is practically accessible, right now. But in principle, the very thin biosphere tip-toeing on the Earth's surface would need only a tiny fraction of the heat-energy potentially available within this planet.

I strongly dislike the talk about "potentials within the United States." What the hell is so special about the United States? Did the scientists say that, only in order to get funding?

Really, I look toward a more ethically serious and committed cosmopolity, when our particular citizenship does not matter, and we are much more concerned about the well-being of all sentient beings everywhere.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 6:11 AM on 23 Jan 2007

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