The Great Forgotten The Great Forgotten Clean-Energy Source: Clean-Energy Source: GeothermalGeothermal

By: Zak DemkoBy: Zak Demko

Why Geothermal Energy?Why Geothermal Energy?

If we used all the geothermal energy If we used all the geothermal energy available within 2 miles of the Earth’s available within 2 miles of the Earth’s surface, we could power America for surface, we could power America for the next 30,000 years.the next 30,000 years.

Just 5 percent within this same depth Just 5 percent within this same depth could meet the energy requirements could meet the energy requirements for 260 million Americans.for 260 million Americans.

This would reduce our dependency on This would reduce our dependency on coal by 33%coal by 33%

Where can Geothermal Where can Geothermal Energy be Found?Energy be Found? Nearly every state Nearly every state

west of the bolded line west of the bolded line has a geothermal has a geothermal source suitable for source suitable for generating electricity.generating electricity.

However, everywhere However, everywhere in the nation has in the nation has geothermal sources geothermal sources that have other uses.that have other uses.

How is Geothermal How is Geothermal Energy “Made”.Energy “Made”.

Hot water or steam is piped to the Hot water or steam is piped to the surface to drive a turbine.surface to drive a turbine.

This hot water or steam is usually used This hot water or steam is usually used to heat an intermediate working fluid.to heat an intermediate working fluid.

This working fluid would turn turbine This working fluid would turn turbine blades, which would drive a dynamo blades, which would drive a dynamo that produces electricity.that produces electricity.

Problems with Problems with Geothermal Energy.Geothermal Energy.

Not every geothermal source is hot Not every geothermal source is hot enough to produce water or steam enough to produce water or steam that is over 200that is over 200ooF, which is the F, which is the water/steam temperature needed to water/steam temperature needed to produce electricity.produce electricity.

More expensive and less efficient than More expensive and less efficient than using coal.using coal.

Why Geothermal Energy?Why Geothermal Energy?

Experts say that improving exploration Experts say that improving exploration and drilling technologies could make and drilling technologies could make geothermal power cheaper than coal.geothermal power cheaper than coal.

Uses a natural resource that will not Uses a natural resource that will not lead to increased COlead to increased CO2 2 emissions.emissions.

Why Don’t We Currently Why Don’t We Currently Have Geothermal Have Geothermal Energy?Energy? Low funding for programs to develop Low funding for programs to develop

geothermal technologies.geothermal technologies. Low gas prices in the 1990s decreased the Low gas prices in the 1990s decreased the

need for alternative energy sources, need for alternative energy sources, leading to funding to be cut during this leading to funding to be cut during this period.period.

The 2007 Energy Act authorized the DOE The 2007 Energy Act authorized the DOE to spend $95 million for geothermal to spend $95 million for geothermal research, but Congress has appropriated research, but Congress has appropriated on a fraction of that so far.on a fraction of that so far.

Other Uses for Other Uses for Geothermal Sources.Geothermal Sources.

Geothermal sources not hot enough Geothermal sources not hot enough for electricity generation can be used for electricity generation can be used for geothermal heat pumps.for geothermal heat pumps.

Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat that is trapped underground to homes that is trapped underground to homes in the winter.in the winter.

In the summer, the direction can be In the summer, the direction can be reversed to cool the home.reversed to cool the home.

Is Using Geothermal Is Using Geothermal Energy Feasible?Energy Feasible?

Iceland has the best geothermal Iceland has the best geothermal energy network in the world.energy network in the world.

85% of Icelandic houses are heated 85% of Icelandic houses are heated geothermally through the use of geothermally through the use of geothermal heat pumps.geothermal heat pumps.

5 geothermic plants provide 25% of 5 geothermic plants provide 25% of the country’s electricity. the country’s electricity.

Future of Geothermal Future of Geothermal Energy.Energy.

The private sector is beginning to push The private sector is beginning to push for geothermal energy in the United for geothermal energy in the United States.States.

Last September the Nordic financial group Last September the Nordic financial group Glitnir announced that it plans to invest Glitnir announced that it plans to invest $1 billion in the U.S. geothermal market $1 billion in the U.S. geothermal market over the next five years.over the next five years.

Currently, 1 million homes have Currently, 1 million homes have geothermal heat pumps. These pumps geothermal heat pumps. These pumps only cost $7,500 per home.only cost $7,500 per home.