There are increasing positive scientific, engineering and economic arguments for Geothermal energy.
We can now go to 20km deep(@1000deg C), closed loop systems do not pollute (like fracking), the solution can run for potentially centuries or arguably millennia and which will have an unmeasurable effect on the earths temperature, (there is a lot of heat down there!)
Geothermal can possibly be seen as a saviour and revenue stream for present day fossil fuel providers in reusing their assets and people skills to carry it out. In fact they seem to be some of the long term investors. Giving fossil fuel industries ways forward (e.g. geothermal, deep water wind turbines) is presently a much understated road block to clean and green.
Geothermal as proposed (below) is sustainable, can have relatively fast implementation and is applicable to both industrial and domestic applications as well the generic electricity generation.
Putting the geothermal energy source physically next to the energy need, (e.g. an existing steam powered generating station, or steel plant, or community) also seems to solve the distribution grid bottle neck problem.
Here is some great background information.
An 11 minute You tube video from Dave Borlace on Geothermal companies Quaise Energy and Eavor and the interest they are attracting, (including from big oil and gas). This technology exploits their existing resources and expertise and provides a relative fast track to genuine green energy revenue streams.
Here is a recent update from Sebine Hossenfelder (June 2024) on the laser drilling tech (from Quaise), the closed loop solution from Evor and other Enhance Geothermal Solutions (2 of in progress). The geothermal dark horse is gaining fast on other clean sustainable solutions.
Another 30 minute you tube look at Eavor technology its pilot plant and progress timeline. https://youtu.be/n2P2stuQ_KY?si=WvLz3wKXzvvCmSgQ
CBS You tube video 15 mins. A broad balanced overview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0sHVsC1cF4
Undecided You tube video. 11 minutes. A slighter deeper technical look into this energy source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HhdR9YRGxI
Geothermal 101 A 4 minute you tube video showing a perspective from 10 years ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRDf7QxjDk
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What is new and different is that these ´´new´´ geothermal technologies go deeper into the earths crust (circa 20km) and are closed loop and do not use exploiting exiting hot water reservoirs at or closer to the surface or involve any pressurising systems similar to fracking to ´create 'reservoirs which have known pollution and earthquake problems. Going deeper means it is also more universally globally available. Turning existing wells to closed loop is a good strategy avoiding significant capital expenditure and reducing payback. Keep in mind oil and gas has all the problems of earthquakes and pollution, but we just seem to live with it.
I often ponder when politicians and governments will get genuinely serious about clean sustainable renewables, or indeed when we, as consumers will vote more with our feet and transfer because it is cheaper, convenient and easier, (while leaving a habitable planet for the grandchildren).
Executive Politicians are still principally focused on job retention, and sadly, ever increasingly on self interest. The fossil fuel industry has huge power, wealth and influence and they will not give that up easily. (Compare to tobacco).
One measure of what big oil are doing rather than saying is the vast sums still spent in fossil fuel exploration and development compared to the meagre amounts spent for renewables. (BP for example ,around 83bn on oil and gas, 3 bn on renewables).
As a slight aside It also is fascinating just how much big oil and gas is spending on buying into world sport, e.g. football, Olympics, etc, (rather than renewables?) particularly in the middle east. Is this part of their new business model transfer strategy or they simply have more money than they know what to do with?
I always keep an eye on the sustainable green technologies which are specifically or closely aligned with big oil and gasses existing expertise and resources. Geothermal fits this test well.
Others that fit are deep water wind turbine platforms which are not too dissimilar to an oil rig platform for example, the scam they are perpetrating with underground carbon storage (which should be discouraged at every opportunity), wave energy capture, their embryonic interest in mining and others.
Geothermal exploits existing expertise in their exploration, drilling and boring technologies and is something they well understand. (Although pushing to greater depths than before). Revenues should be on a short timeline too and be available across the globe.
Will the heat energy extraction also wreck the planet? My research also supported by the video says definitely not. There is a lot more heat energy down there than most can imagine. No risk then of planet earth cracking up, (unlike fracking). Its also a closed loop system, so minimum pollution (unlike fracking / oil and gas mining). Iceland have been exploiting geothermal for decades.
The steam output of geothermal has multiple uses including, significantly, the potential for the continued use of existing steam turbine powered electric power stations which are already integrated into the existing grid,. It will retain these assets value, prolong their use and provide almost immediate energy availability and revenue. (Simply put, the steam comes from Geothermal sources not coal, gas or wood pellets). (Check out the Drax biofuel/wood pellet scam).
I see GEOTHERMAL development picking up at pace, (and independent of the rapid wind and solar which is already happening), largely because it fits and suits big oil and gas. They are just awakening to this.
Getting big oil and gas on the side of sustainable, renewable energy, rather than the essentially adversarial stance at the moment, is essential. Geothermal is a real contending technology in progress this transfer process.
Another crystal ball prediction is that big oil and gas will soon get more into mining of minerals (needed for our green energy technology) in a much, much bigger way. Channelling big oil and gas resources and expertise into this would be a win win in getting big oil and gas onside and for them to genuinely transfer their efforts to the needed renewables materials where a resources gap and need is presently building.
I´m not sure that big oil and gas have figured all this ´´potential´´ out yet or if their existing self interests and dogmas remain too strong and are preventing it. But being an optimist it is encouraging to see these complimentary technologies gaining some consideration by big oil and gas. Lets keep spreading the word on these green and sustainable concepts and technologies.
The historians will tell us the outcome . Our grandchildren will see it!!
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