The Geothermal thread

[drbubb]

Geothermal Energy: A Natural Source of Clean Power

Geothermal energy (literally heat from the earth) has become the "green" energy alternative of choice because it is natural, clean, renewable, reliable, efficient and inexpensive to operate. The western U.S.A. has a generous endowment of geothermal potential. Nevada occupies the area of highest crustal heat flow in North America thanks to increased magmatic activity related to plate tectonics (see map below).

 

Geothermal heat can be harnessed for clean electrical power generation wherever there is high heat flow in deep, fractured rock formations and a shallower, non-fractured or sealed caprock (see diagram at right). Ground water in the deep fractures becomes heated and rises to form a geothermal resevoir under the cap rock. Production wells are typically drilled 1 to 2km deep to bring the hot water (at least 150蚓) up to surface where it flashes to steam. The steam is then used to drive turbines for generating electricity and the residual water is pumped back down injection wells to recharge the reservoir.

 

GEOTHERMAL SITES ... US Map

 

Country (1999)--- Megawatts

United States....... 2,850

Philippines........... 1,848

Italy................... 768.5

Mexico................ 743.0

Indonesia............ 589.5

Japan................. 530.0

New Zealand....... 345.0 ... Other countries

 

Geothermal-at-a-Glance

Nearly 2,800 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power, producing 14 to 17 billion kilowatt-hours per year of electricity worth about $1 billion in annual utility sales, are generated in the states of California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.

 

Geothermal energy is the United States' second largest grid-connected renewable electricity source, after hydropower.

 

The Geysers geothermal field in northern California has been generating electric power for about 40 years.

 

Electric power generation from geothermal resources is currently limited to locations in the western United States; however, geothermal heat pump technology can be utilized throughout the country. Today, more than 500,000 geothermal heat pumps have been installed nationwide with the largest markets being in the midwestern states of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio.

 

Twenty-one countries generate 8,000 MW of electricity from geothermal resources, and 11,300 thermal MW are being used in more than 27 countries for direct-use applications such as aquaculture and greenhouse operations, and industrial processing.

 

= = = = =

LINKS:

Geothermal companies: http://www.geo-energy.org/Members.htm

Geothermal Links.#1.: http://www.dhm.ch/geothermlinks.html

...#2.: http://www.alamedapt.com/electricity/geothermal.html

...#3.: http://www.sustainablehawaii.com/geothpg1.htm

Nevada Projects.....: http://www.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/nevada.html

Western US Projects.: Map, page 8 : Large Map

Geothermal News.....: http://www.geothermal-biz.com/newsletter/Apr-2003.htm

 

Symb. Alt.Energy Cos---- .Price shs. MktCap Country

..... (Geothermal, NoAm)

CPN-- Calpine Energy.... $ 2.65 538. $1.43B USA... Natgas & Geothm.Power #17686

EECI- Empire Energy..... $ x.xx .... $...mn US?... #157526

NGP.v Nevada GeoPower... C$0.42 .... $...mn Can... #1465311

GEO.t Polaris Geothermal C$0.95 .... $...mn Can... Geothm.Nicaragua#

USEY- U.S.Energy Syst... $ 1.17 11.9 $14.mn USA... Geothm.& Biogas #12530

GTH.v US Geothermal..... C$0.88 .... $...mn Can... #1626665

WGP.v Western Geopower.. C$0.75 .... $...mn Can... #1565617

[brooki]

There has to be some benefit to living near a fault line. This is a good idiots guide to geothermal energy:

 

http://rise.org.au/reslab/resfiles/geo/text.html

 

detailing the main types of energy extraction methods, though most of these aren't strictly renewable. It seems that New Zealand appears to generate around 75% of it's energy from geothermal energy, and Iceland is virtually self sufficient having geothermal and hydroelectric resources:

 

http://www.os.is/page/english/

 

As energy prices continue to rise, it will be interesting to see whether there will be an increasing exodus of immigrants to these more energy self-sufficient countries. American industry reliant on high energy consumption such as aluminium smelting is already located (controversially) in Iceland.

 

http://www.savingiceland.org/?PHPSESSID=0b...570f19bacfe13f6

 

New Zealand is already a popular target for those seeking an improved quality of life and more family friendly environment. Energy is difficult to export over distance, so I wonder if near energy self sufficiency could make it one of the most desirable (and expensive) countries to live and do business, maybe not now, but in the forthcoming hundred years or so.

 

TLM

[gwizzie]

tellus project

 

Initial reporton discovery Oct 2007