Harness volcano power, energy experts say

By Catherine Elsworth in Los Angeles

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Volcanoes and hot springs could supply up to 25 per cent of America's power needs, energy experts have said. Have your say: Is harnessing more geothermal energy just a pipe dream? In pictures: Harnessing volcano power As fuel prices soar, Alaskan officials announced the exploration of the state's volcanoes, saying they could be exploited to provide energy for thousands of homes.   'High prices and climate change are definitely creating a renaissance in geothermal interest' Companies are being invited to lease the rights to explore geothermal resources beneath Mount Spurr, a snowcapped 11,070-foot volcano that most recently erupted in 1992 showering much of Anchorage with volcanic ash. The state Division of Oil and Gas hopes the lease sale, due to go ahead in August, will be the first of many. It is also considering allowing exploration of the 4,134-foot Augustine Volcano, 171 miles southwest of Anchorage. The move echoes a trend underway across much of the US as fuel prices, worries about dependence on foreign oil and climate change trigger a surge in geothermal projects, particularly in the West and along the Gulf Coast. According to experts, America is only just waking up to the ancient power source lying beneath dozens of states that has the potential to supply as much as 25 percent of the nation's energy needs. "High prices and climate change are definitely creating a renaissance in geothermal interest, particularly on a state and local level," said Karl Gawell, executive director of the Geothermal Energy Association. "There really is a tremendous amount going on right now." US volcano may hold key to UK oil reserves Geothermal probe sinks German city Chaiten volcano forces evacuation of towns As well as Alaska, geothermal projects, which are eligible for tax benefits, are underway in most Western states and across the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida, he said. "It's only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is possible," said Mr Gawell. "If we really want to go all out for it, we could easily achieve a substantial amount, 20, 25 per cent of US energy needs within a few decades. We're limited more by public policy than the resource - the resource is enormous." The Bureau of Land Management has just surveyed 11 western states and Alaska for "lands with high potential for renewable geothermal resources". advertisement The study showed around 200 million acres of public land with geothermal potential, Mr Gawell said. But he estimates 80 per cent of geothermal systems remain undiscovered as they have no tell-tale surface feature such as a hot spring. "We're still just finding the obvious stuff." Alaska, which is rich in oil and gas, sits on the Pacific Rim of Fire but despite "clear evidence of geothermal resources" the state had shelved its geothermal development "in the 1970s once they hit the major oil streaks", Mr Gawell said. "It's really only been rediscovered in the past couple of years in part because prices are up." The biggest challenge to harnessing underground power is working out how to access and tap heat buried deep under earth or rock. Interest has partly been spurred by the Alaska's successful geothermal venture at Chena Hot Springs, a resort near Fairbanks, which is completely powered by underground energy. Mr Gawell said that although mentioned this week by Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, during a speech about alternative energy policies in Nevada, geothermal power had yet to receive enough attention in the national energy debate. "The problem is it's only being produced in a handful of states. It's well known in those states but it's unknown in others," Mr Gawell said. Geothermal power is also enjoying a renaissance in Europe, home to the first geothermal steam power plant in Larderello, Italy, which began operating in 1904. The GEA estimates that the number of countries producing geothermal energy will more than double by 2010 to 46 countries.

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a few comments there suggest how stupid it is to put a geothermal power plant on or near a volcano... and damm right! but people need to look at it a in different way, instead of looking for places that are visable on the surface we need to look below the surface for geothermal vents, or lava flows, that way we can tap a stable source that will not run out, or erupt. technology at the moment may not let us do this, but as with most things, we are able to overcome problems if we apply ourselves... digging to the center of the earth may sound stupid and impossible... but then just think if the wright brothers just after their 1st flight had said that we will one day make it too the moon...that would have sounded even more insane.
Posted by will on August 20, 2008 12:02 AM
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If I recall correctly Pacific Gas & Electric, by far California's largest utility company produces 4% of its electricity from geothermal. So whats new.
Posted by Simple Sailor on June 29, 2008 9:46 PM
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NevadaSays:

CBAC-FUEL SAVING CHIP? What a complete load of bollocks. Sure you get points for using pseudo-scientific gobbledygook, but it's all quite meaningless.
"Magnetic-like energy field"?
"quantum coherent level"?
Nonsense, all of it.

May as well play with crystals for all the good it will do.
Posted by MrPeach on June 27, 2008 9:37 PM
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Does anyone actually read the story before commenting? Many of you seem to be confusing geothermal heat pumps which CONSUME energy to heat and cool homes with geothermal power plants which PRODUCE energy. This story is about the latter.

Also people keep citing Iceland's success with geothermal. Iceland was smart enough to use the geothermal resource that had available. However, in most other parts of the world due to the crust structure it is simply cost prohibitive to exploit geothermal--assuming you don't want to pay $100/KWH for electricity. Likewise ethanol was great for Brazil because sugar cane is 9 times better than corn for producing alcohol.

The smart thing to do is use the resources most available to us. This includes drilling for oil, oil shale, coal, nuclear, as well as geothermal where available. For you nuclear naysayers fearing waste disposal, note that France is able to recycle their nuclear waste.
Posted by boboli on June 27, 2008 5:56 PM
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It's not surprising that Iceland has been mentioned several times in the comments. Actually, I'm surprised that it's not mentioned in the article. There are a few misconceptions in the comments regarding Iceland (I'm from Iceland and have been involved with the energy sector). As has been noted, only about a quarter of Iceland's electricity is produced geothermally. But, geothermal energy is not our only resource. Almost all of the rest is produced with hydro power. Only a negligible amount of Iceland's electricity is produced with fossil fuels - about 0.1% last I knew. Also, keep in mind that electricity and energy are not the same - electricity is specific, energy includes electricity, heating and more (geothermal energy accounts for almost 90% of Iceland's heating). Iceland is not nearly energy self-sufficient, as someone suggested, because almost all of our means of transportation use fossil fuels.

Not all geothermal areas are suitable for producing electricity (although they may be adequate for heating) because a considerable amount of pressure is needed to drive turbines. However, there is significant and promising research going on that aims to develop methods to use low pressure and low temperature areas for electricity.

Icelanders are very eager to share their experience in this area. They are involved in numerous projects all over the world to promote and facilitate the use of geothermal energy, including California and other US states, China, Central and South America and Africa. There are also several international educational programmes that Icelanders offer, including the UN University's (link) Geothermal Training Programme and the School for Renewable Energy Science (RES: link) in the north of Iceland who offer international M.Sc. programmes in renewable energy science.

However (going back to the question of why only 25% geothermal), I think that it needs to be emphasised that Iceland's message concerning renewable energy (based on our experience) is that a range of approaches and strategies are necessary to sustain a renewable energy economy. Geothermal power is not a total solution (nor any other method for that matter), but is for many areas an efficient and cost effective addition to other available energy sources.
Posted by Tryggvi Thayer on June 27, 2008 2:51 PM
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What's with all the right wing nut jobs posting to this?

Judging by the writing style and the time of the posts, it looks like it's one person posting repeatedly under different names.
Posted by Daniel on June 27, 2008 8:21 AM
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Wow, many ideas out there, But lets start with ones we already know work, like oil, coal, solar, wind, tidal, nuclear. Plus work on these new ones as well! Until fuel prices get cheaper. Here are six-simple tips to help all Americans save money at the pump!

1. SLOWING DOWN:
Save from 80-cents to $1.00 per gallon with this 1st free tip!

Wow, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], the most efficient speed to operate a vehicle is between 55-60mph. Slowing down from 75mph to 55mph can increase your fuel efficiency by 20% or more. At the current price of gas being [$4.00 per gallon] you can save up to 80-cents a gallon just by slowing down! With diesel prices currently at over [$5.00 per gallon] that could amount to a savings of $1.00-dollar per gallon!

2. CBAC-FUEL SAVING CHIP:
Save up to $1.00-dollar to $1.30-dollar per gallon with this 2nd free tip!

After many years of dedicated research, using what the developers call "digital biology". A simple & now affordable chip, the size of a quarter, placed on your gas tank, produces startling results. From increasing fuel economy up to 26% and cutting smog emissions by up to 80%. "How Does It Work"? Well all that information and more is made available in detail on this website, but basically, the CBAC-FUEL CHIP emits a magnetic-like energy field, which raises the quantum coherent level of the energetic structure of petroleum. Thus conditioning certain specific energy structures, the toxic elements are neutralized while octane and oxygen energetic are increased prior to combustion. http:www.cheapcleanandgreen.com

What does CBAC do? It reconditions and upgrades the fuel to burn cleaner, because it creates a molecular change in the structure of the fuel and supercharges its additives. Thus, reducing air pollution up to 80% and improving mileage up to 26%! At the current price of gas being [$4.00 per gallon] you can save up to $1.00 a gallon by placing this simple fuel chip on your fuel tank! With diesel prices currently at over [$5.00 per gallon] that could amount to a savings of $1.30 per gallon! http:www.cheapcleanandgreen.com


3. REPLACE YOUR VEHICLES AIR FILTER:
Save from 40-cents to 50-cents per gallon with this 3rd free tip!

Wow, according to the EPA, changing a clogged, dirty air filter on your vehicle may improve your fuel efficiency by up to 10%. At the current price of gas being [$4.00 per gallon] you may save up to 40-cents a gallon just by changing your air filter! With diesel prices currently at over [$5.00 per gallon] that could amount to a savings of 50-cents per gallon!

4. REMOVING YOUR VEHICLES ROOF RACKS:
Save from 20-cents to 25-cents per gallon with this 4th free tip!

It has been estimated that your mileage may improve up to 5%, just by improving the air flow of your vehicle! At the current price of gas being [$4.00 per gallon] you could save as much as 20-cents per gallon by removing your roof racks! With diesel prices currently at over [$5.00 per gallon] that could amount to a savings of 25-cents per gallon!

5. PROPERLY INFLATE YOUR TIRES:
Save from 16-cents to 20-cents per gallon with this 5th free tip!

Four properly inflated tires may increase you fuel efficiency between 2-4%. So be sure to always keep your tires inflated to the maximum allowable pressure as recommended by the tires manufacturer. Take a look at your vehicles owner's manual for more information on this subject. At the current price of gas being [$4.00 per gallon] you could save as much as 16-cents per gallon by properly inflating your tires! With diesel prices currently at over [$5.00 per gallon] that could amount to a savings of 20-cents per gallon!

6. USING PROPER GRADE OF OIL:
Save from 8-cents to 10-cents per gallon with this 6th free tip!

Wow, by using the proper grade of oil for your car, truck, SUV may improve your mileage by up to 1%-2%. Plus, be sure to always change your oil as recommended by your owners manual.
Posted by NevadaSays on June 27, 2008 7:50 AM
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can we not tap into the friction created during sexual intercourse or even the waves created from doing so on a water bed? if only eh? ther'd be no shortage of energy then eh? :-)
Posted by shaggy on June 27, 2008 7:00 AM
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This has to be the most moronic set of comments I have ever read. Thank you all for the spectacular waste of time. Absolutely nothing of value in this entire discussion. I think Michelle Malkin has been posting all afternoon under multiple aliases.
Posted by Workfaster on June 27, 2008 6:23 AM
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First off to anyone saying that drilling oil in the U.S. will fix our problems, well it won't; it will only postpone them. The U.S. only has enough oil to sustain our outrageous needs for a couple of years, that's it. We need to start changing our ways.

High gas prices are benefiting us in the long term by making everybody get off their lazy asses and start changing how our economy works. We don't need our cars for even half the stuff we do and now people are being forced to change.

So yes our gas prices will continue to rise regardless, expect prices similar to those in europe. But also expect our economy to grow in efficiency and understanding of how not to be the wasteful pigs we have the reputation for.

Honestly something like geothermal kinda worries me also. sure it's initial effects sound great, free energy practically! But, wait, we also have to think of what would happen 100's of years from now when the earth's core gets drained of all that heat. What will happen?

I'd say right now nuclear and solar seem to be our best bets for the energy crisis.
Posted by kyle on June 27, 2008 6:18 AM
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wasnt this an episode of Dinosaurs?
Posted by kidding right? on June 27, 2008 3:43 AM
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From 1920 to 1970 the human race became mobile, brought mass communications through radio and TV to reality, went from being grounded to jet air travel and to the moon, made major medical advances, and now for the last 40 years we have been virtually standing still. Yes Iceland gets most of their energy from geothermal. Yes we stagnate under Republican leadership, and YES, it is time to wake up and re energize our God given human potential and deal with our energy needs and population growth. I am sick and tired of all the bigoted, selfish, arrogant Republican conservative apologists-get out of the way-your time is up!!
Posted by Joel on June 27, 2008 12:39 AM
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come on!! go franc go drill into the ground where it is hot, run underground pipes that can handle high temperatures, pump water in one end, pump very hot water/steam out the other end to drive a turbine!!
Posted by toma on June 27, 2008 12:19 AM
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hey franc!!, go and do it, come on go, franc go!!
Posted by tom on June 27, 2008 12:14 AM
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Drilling for oil is a red herring to avoid looking into alternative energies. We know who is pushing it, and we know who isn't. It's pretty clear that a certain political party is bought and paid for by corporations trying to ensure their dinosaur like usefulness remains paramount.

Alternative energy doesn't involve any one technology. It's solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal, and even alternative fuels. The naysayers nit pick individual efforts and avoid the big picture. I honestly don't know why someone would have a problem with alternative energy, unless it threatened the corporation they worked for; or the party that benefits from those corporations.

Drilling for oil will not make us energy independent, it won't be ready for 10 years, and by then won't be enough to keep prices down. Oh and it won't last very long either. The Republicans are essentially pushing dead end solutions because their corporate masters are threatened by alternative energy efforts.

If anything, the Saudis want us to drill for oil. Because they know that will make us put off replacing it. They know we will never have enough to compete with them, and in the long run it just keeps us dependent on something they have a very large supply of.

Posted by Phil walt on June 27, 2008 12:11 AM
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From 1920 to 1970 the human race became mobile, brought mass communications through radio and TV to reality, went from being grounded to jet air travel and to the moon, made major medical advances, and now for the last 40 years we have been virtually standing still. Yes Iceland gets most of their energy from geothermal. Yes we stagnate under Republican leadership, and YES, it is time to wake up and re energize our God given human potential and deal with our energy needs and population growth. I am sick and tired of all the bigoted, selfish, arrogant Republican conservative apologists-get out of the way-your time is up!!
Posted by Joel on June 27, 2008 12:09 AM
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Pretty funny how this is an article about how geothermal power replacing oil and a Republican is complaining bitterly about not drilling for oil. Looks like someone missed the point.

So anyway, what were we talking about again? Oh yeah, that's right; geothermal power. Not oil, you can find that under "last century's solutions."


Posted by Phil W on June 27, 2008 12:03 AM
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A much more easily accessible and more widespread source of free renewable energy is the many city, state and US legislative bodies, where politicians generate hot wind energy every time they meet. It is a simple matter to harness this heated air. It is especially convenient in winter months when it can be used to melt any ice or snow saving money spent on snow removal.
Posted by Roy Bercaw on June 26, 2008 11:58 PM
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What if we prematurely cool the Earth's core by extracting the heat?
Posted by Chris on June 26, 2008 11:58 PM
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All well and good for the future, but right now nothing is for efficient and clean than oil. Drill for oil and knock off all this alternative crap.
Posted by Jim C on June 26, 2008 11:54 PM
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wow i have only been preaching on this for 40 years
Posted by jimmy on June 26, 2008 11:51 PM
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What a load of stupid comments from presumably stupid people!Here in Cebu,Philippines we get a good part of our electricity from geothermal wells. (yes, thats what they are!)Indeed there are small problems but nothing compared to oil,coal or atomic power sources!They don't need heat sinks or to be constantly moved.No ugly fuel heaps or waste tips,geothermal is,as you americans say "way to go".(Where do you get your writing skills?)
Posted by Colin on June 26, 2008 11:39 PM
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Geothermal heat recovery systems are tried and tested and extensivly used to heat homes in europe you only need a six foot deep trench some plastic pipe and a heat pump to reduce your energy consumption by 66% ie 1 Kw in 3Kw out no need to tap into volcanoes and here in France you even get tax breaks when installing green heating technology, as an aside why is it that the pro oil drilling posts seem to come exclusively from Redneck of Texas?
Posted by Retread on June 26, 2008 11:38 PM
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Volcanoes contribute 99 percent of CO2 that is supposedly causing global warming, so it is appropriate to use them to reduce alleged global warming by reducing anthropogenic CO2. In addition, the technology is relatively simple. They could also be used to generate electricity directly given that electrons flow from hot to cold (thermal differentiation).
Posted by Dayahka on June 26, 2008 11:34 PM
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Trying to lead nowadays is roughly analogous to trying conduct an orchestra when the orchestra consists of people who have never held an instrument, yet claim to be composers! Too many people hear some superficial idea and just repeat it as a chant. As a sanity check, one should do some simple energy calculations to help calibrate each alternative energy versus the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Here are a few relevant data:

1 kwh of electricity: ~3,500 Btu

1 gallon of gasoline: 125,000 Btu

1 pound of coal: 13,000 Btu

If you covered the entire roof of a typical one-story 2500 sq ft house in Arizona with state of the art solar panels, you could just about run the house: 60,000 Btu/day for yankees, forget it, but you could reduce your bill a bit.

If you extend these kinds of quantitative energy sanity checks to all of the alternative technologies' realistic potential over the next 20 years, there is only one non-carbon (i.e., if you leave out oil, coal and natural gas as the lefty loonies wish to do) solution, and that is nuclear power. It is proven, it is sufficiently mature, and doable within 15 yrs if we will get our heads out of our posteriors, and the time is now to come to that realization. This should be pursued while we are working on all the advanced technologies - we can and should afford both. And yes, we should also drill, oil will remain a piece of the energy story for the next 50 years. The fact that every approach to weening ourself off Saudi Arabian oil takes a decade at least is no excuse for sitting on our collective hands. We deserve $10/gallon gas if we can't demand our leaders get a clue. Pipe dreams about alternatives must be calibrated by real engineering and economics.



Posted by JohnJ,Phd on June 26, 2008 11:26 PM
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Geothermal energy does not have to involve tapping into volcanic areas. Using Stirling Cycle Technology, and a working fluid such as methylene chloride, it is possible to gnereate substantial amounts of power anywhere you can find two locations fairly close to one another, one warm and the other cool or cold. For instance, at sea a Stirling Cycle loop can be lowered into about three hundred feet of water --- its bottom end below the thermocline --- and the flow of methylene chloride through the loop is quite forceful at the surface.
Posted by Dan Rogers on June 26, 2008 11:24 PM
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Yeah, I want to depend on something that can explode at any minute. Kinda sounds like what we are depending on now. Drill here. We have not only the resources to provide, we have the technology to produce. We have a more stable political system and the means to do it safely and enviromentally sound. And while we are at it lets build more nuclear power stations. I grew up next to one and never once thought of a disaster cause we have never had one.(3 mile island was not a disaster it was a accident and it was safely contained due to OUR design) They dont run on voodoo,as some radicals would seem to suggest. Congress/House get off your ass (both sides) and do something. Listen to the people not your few select friends who dont seem to have to worry how to get to work, to support your ever increasing spending.If you all cant see what is happening street level(politicians), maybe you need to get a real job for a bit. I'm working on a nice Boeing 757 you can get your hands dirty on for a month or to. I'll even let you carpool with me. I'll split the cost 50/50.
Posted by David Collins on June 26, 2008 11:17 PM
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this might work in alaska where they have many volcanos nearby but what it comes down to is cost. and nuclear power is by far the cheapest per kwh. plus we can have nuclear plants closer to the population.
Posted by dick on June 26, 2008 11:03 PM
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volcano's for energy is a crackpot idea.the use of other geothermal energy sources is proving not very reliable. volcano's tend to be very volatile and generally short lived events. tapping the underlying heat source might work, but question is for how long.
Posted by Joseph R. Muncer on June 26, 2008 11:00 PM
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I'm more interested in what's happening in the Shetlands: the wind to hydrogen
project has promise.
Posted by cyberzonemall.com on June 26, 2008 10:56 PM
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We don't need to use volcanos to utilize geothermal power. For Petes sake, the brits drilled the chunnel 20 miles sideways. If we drilled 20 miles down we could use the heat at that level to generate clean energy with a closed system similar to a nuke plants. Water doesn't have to be used, a different liquid with a lower boiling point can be used. so no long distance transmission lines or dangers associated with volcanic sites. less humbugs from the fossil fuel trolls and more demands to change over to a sensible and realistic energy policy is necessary for all of us. Geothermal and solar power can be used to distill hydrogen from sea water also. No draw backs, except for the fossil fuel companies who will have to hustle to stay in business. Better to do it now than wait until there's nothing left to save. and to those oil sympathizers who call names and such...fill in the blank.
Posted by Ken R. Anderson on June 26, 2008 10:49 PM
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You could bring up Iceland, but by the majority of the responses I've read; I'd be suprised if they knew where Iceland was.

It works for Iceland, why can't it work in areas of the US where Geothermal resources are available? It doesn't involve destroying a volcano (or like one idiot thought, drilling for oil in a volcano?). It's cheap, and may be expensive to implement, but what about long term costs? Energy is not getting cheaper folks. As long as demand keeps increasing and we have a finite supply of fossil fuels an alternative needs to be found.

You can drill all day and all night, but with 1000 more cars a day hitting the road in Beijing, you get the point. Lots of factors going into the reason why oil is so expensive, but you can't blame the Democrats for all of them. Try blaming the falling dollar, try blaming speculators. But, it's easier to blame someone with an oppossing viewpoint.
Posted by AL IN IRAQ DEFENDING YOUR OIL INTRESTS on June 26, 2008 10:49 PM
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Every time a conservative tells us to Stay the Course on our addiction to oil, what they are REALLY saying is that America has grown too fat, stupid, and lazy to do anything different.

I completely reject every single thing conservatives have, do, or ever will say. There's not a single thing they say which can be trusted, because their entire world view is based upon selfishness and an intense hatred of their fellow man, and a conservative will never bargain in good faith.

There wasnt a single thing conservatives have wanted in the past eight years they haven't gotten... and all they have served up to America is a steaming pile of failure. The only bright side is that most Americans are now completely rejecting everything conservative, since it has proven itself to be thoroughly opposed to reality.

Geothermal power is great news, as is every other "liberal" power source: wind, solar, etc. Best of all, renewable energy doesn't give money to people who hate us, aka conservatives and their terrorist buddies.
Posted by JSG on June 26, 2008 10:34 PM
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ---use allo the thermal energy you can--it is free and unending--let the arabs eat their oil and camels--GOD BLESS AMERICA
Posted by PETE on June 26, 2008 10:33 PM
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I can't believe so many people fail to comprehend such a straightforward article. My favorite was the complaints that "those libs" are opposed to drilling oil offshore, but support drilling oil out of volcanoes. Drilling oil out of volcanoes? What?

It would be funnier if I didn't have to share my living space with them... wow, just wow. No wonder the global perception of an american is "idiot."
Posted by Lo on June 26, 2008 10:32 PM
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And then and then heh heh we will harness hurricans and tornados heh,heh......and rule the world
Posted by unleadedhitest on June 26, 2008 10:26 PM
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I am FOR this, but in my neck of the woods the tree huggers have shut geothermal exploration down - saying it violates their native religion. But those same people are OK with solar energy. Sun Worshippers were cool with using the Sun to their advantage, but Earth worshippers won't let you touch their beloved Mama Gaya. Hogwash!
Posted by hawaiianbro on June 26, 2008 10:22 PM
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The level of tardism in this chat is high like the worlds oil prices. There is no domestic oil market. It is a global one. Just because oil is extracted from US soil, it does not ends up in American gas tanks. There is also the small problem of global peak oil production, ie the stuff is runnimg out. less supply = higher cost
None of the oil companies/ republicans where calling for icreased drilling/supply 8 years ago when oil was >30$ a barrel. that would hurt.
The standard republitard responce blame a deomcrat for thier own failures. the republicans/oilcompanies controled the white house for th last 8 years and congress for even long but it is obamas fault.
Posted by cdl on June 26, 2008 10:17 PM
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A large problem with geothermal energy is that where it can be tapped is also an area prone to earthquakes. Even small underground tremors undetectable at the surface can produce pipe ruptures that take the units offline and cost significant amounts to fix. Hawaii invested millions of dollars in geothermal enery only to see it all destroyed the next time the volcano erupted.
Posted by Jason on June 26, 2008 10:14 PM
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Iceland has been using geothermal energy for many years, both to heat houses and to generate electricity. For more about this, see:

link
Posted by roberta wickham on June 26, 2008 10:11 PM
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If we can hook volcanic heat to cow flatulance, we have the energy crisis solved. Hook it up to Al Gore's Gulfstreamjet.
Posted by Barry on June 26, 2008 10:10 PM
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Geothermal energy is the way to go. If a town, like the one in Germany, drills a hole into a large thermal bed area beneath it and begins sinking, someone is not thinking through any potential problems? Anyone with a modicum of common sense would tell you not to do this.

If the world really wanted "free" energy they would work around the problems. Such as building the plants away from the pipes and running the steam into the plants from a distance. Where there is a will there is a way.
Posted by James B. Johnson on June 26, 2008 10:02 PM
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Were all gonna die. Good riddance
Posted by Liberal Hippi on June 26, 2008 9:57 PM
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IN AMERICA, WE CAN DO ANYTHING WE PUT OUR MINDS TO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Bill on June 26, 2008 9:54 PM
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Another solutioin would be to build Breeder reactors next to our current reactors (uses the plutonium made from current reactor as fuel for the Breeder). We eliminate having to guard & dispose of plutonium and double our energy output.
Posted by Larry on June 26, 2008 9:48 PM
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CHECK OUT CARRIER DIVISION OF UNITED TECHNOLOGY WHO ARE DEVELOPING A LOW TEMP SYSTEM THAT IS USED IN THE FAIRBANKS RESORT. REFRIGERANTS BOIL AT MUCH LOWER TEMPS THAN WATER. JWH
Posted by JERRY HEDGES on June 26, 2008 9:40 PM
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First, current oil prices are driven by speculation, not supply. Have you received your gasoline ration card yet? Are there refineries shutdown because there is not enough oil to keep them busy? Has demand doubled in the last two years? No. No. No.

Second, oil is sold in a world market. Just because it is drilled for in the United States doesn't mean that it's "just for us". It would be made available to the world market. Current estimates show that if all the coastal areas that are currently off-limits for drilling were to come on-line, it would supply less that 1 percent of current oil production. The current drop in demand due to the high cost of gasoline far surpasses this amount.

We need a balanced portfolio of energy sources. I'm frankly sick of
sucking the Saudis for there oil. Let's find an alternative!
Posted by Jernal on June 26, 2008 9:34 PM
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Where are the save the volcano folks?
Posted by DMan on June 26, 2008 9:30 PM
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Once built and run profitably it would then be taxed to death or sued out of existence. (A newly discovered bacterium would become an endangered species.)
Posted by chicago bob on June 26, 2008 9:18 PM
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Man made Global warming is fake. I am convinced it is so because in all that has been written, nothing is said about how the data was collected, how it was analyzed, and most importantly, where can we find it? It should be available on the internet somewhere. I want to do my own hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Global warming and cooling are cyclical events as demonstrated by the recurring ice ages. Graphing time and average temperatures would yield some kind of sinusoidal relationship (if we could reliably collect data). This curve would not be mathematically smooth, but would have local irregularities resembling a saw blade. C'mon. Let's have the data; let's see the analysis.
Posted by pokenhorn on June 26, 2008 9:15 PM
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This company has a great idea that I read about a few years ago, I hope they get some traction:

Basically, it's a closed loop system when heated generates electricity. No need for customized plant design for each terrain challenge. It's engineered to be mass produced and serviceable, cutting down on costs.

Investors need to look closely at this technology and encourage it (no I don't work for that company, I just appreciate their realistic approach).

link
Posted by Mike E TX on June 26, 2008 9:08 PM
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ENVIRONMENTALISTS THE CAUSE OF THE ENERGY CRISIS

There should be no energy crisis. The U.S. has incredible energy resources, well enough to supply us with all the oil, gas, nuclear, wind, solar, you name it, for the forseable future.

Environmentalists USE energy too. The new technologies that can (reduce) but prevent carbon buildup are powerful.

Both political parties are to blame. Many Americans, who insist on driving SUVs and other huge vehicles are to blame.

Europe doesn't have ANY sympathy for us at all...and they're right.

We done-did it to ourselves.

sanjosemike
Posted by sanjosemike on June 26, 2008 9:04 PM
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So now your going to ask a bunch of clueless idiots about geothermal power generation.
Posted by Bill on June 26, 2008 8:47 PM
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The real problem is just like all the forms of alternative energy in the world - they're not oil. Oil companies and their profits set the policy in the U.S. The only way these resources will ever become commonplace is when oil runs out. Then you will see HUGE drastic advances in alternative energies. The oil companies have been seceretly buying them up & developing them for years.
Posted by Angry in PA on June 26, 2008 8:45 PM
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There is enough political hot air these days to put the energy from a volcanoe to shame. I say we put the lot of them in a large metal container close the door, boil water with the hot air and fertilize the landscape with the BS from these green political buffoons.
Posted by ONTIME on June 26, 2008 8:40 PM
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Yes. Let's party until it erupts? OK. hot water and lava in unexpected eruptions kills, not to forget the enviro whacks will never let you destroy the precious life making lands around the volcanos and hot springs. Drill for oil we got billions and billions of gallons of it around and discover other means to substitute it for the next hundreds of years it would take to depleat it, if that is possible.
Posted by gumball on June 26, 2008 8:37 PM
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If the earth were an apple, and it's crust were the skin, I would peel it, dip it in caramel, and eat it.

Learning is fun!
Posted by Ernst Stavro Blofeldt on June 26, 2008 8:33 PM
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Geothermal energy is well understood. The only problem is people are concerned with spoiling the beauty of primitive areas. GT wells can be placed in soundproof buildings, or even underground, for almost zero env. impact
Posted by Wood on June 26, 2008 8:23 PM
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Did anyone here actually live in the 70's? I remember all this crap from 30-40 years ago. Somehow, when it reaches it's ultimate pitch, which seems right about now, well, it's gonna all disappear folks. We'll be back on our cheap oil binge soon enough. It's not about oil. It's about control.
Posted by ed on June 26, 2008 8:18 PM
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Geothermal power is producing 25 megawatts already on the island of Hawaii. Check out Puna Geothermal's site: link
Posted by Hawaii Resident on June 26, 2008 8:05 PM
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The problem is transmitting the energy from areas where geothermal energy is plentiful to areas where it is needed.
Posted by Dr. Jay on June 26, 2008 7:58 PM
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Geothermal is nothing new. Iceland has been using it for years. According to Wikipedia, in 2006, Iceland got 26.5% of it's electricity generation from geothermal energy! (Only 0.1% from fossil fuels!) Also, geothermal heating meets the heating and hot water requirements for around 87% of Iceland's homes! Geothermal isn't available everywhere, but we are stupid NOT to use it where it is available!
Posted by rheidler on June 26, 2008 7:55 PM
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The problem is transmitting the energy from areas where geothermal energy is plentiful to areas where it is needed.
Posted by Dr. Jay on June 26, 2008 7:55 PM
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If the cost of development was even close, I would select nuclear over geothermal because it provides consistent energy close to the population source and will not be destroyed by the next unpredictable volcanic reaction.
By the way, nuclear waste can be recycled as Israel does right now. Maybe if the US did not use 30 year old technology we would see how great this system really is.
Posted by whynotnuclearrightnow on June 26, 2008 7:51 PM
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What an idiot....drill for oil in volcanoes? Guess he didn't read the article. As for those who say it can't be done, many Scandinavian countries already do it, as well as some US cities. The whole campus of the Oregon Institute of Technology is heated by geothermal.
Posted by Duh on June 26, 2008 7:46 PM
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Yes, I've been to Iceland, and not only is almost all the energy there produced from Geothermal vents, you can also hang out in the misty mud outside at the Blue Lagoon with some of the most beautiful women you will see anywhere on Earth. Plus the geothermally heated hot tub, 4-hand massage at the top of the Hotel Esja is literally to die for!
Posted by Matt on June 26, 2008 7:37 PM
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Some of you have pointed out that geothermal is an easy and abundant solution. One poster made the comparison of the earth's crust to the skin of an apple. He said, just drill, pump water in and create steam to power the turbine.

Here is why this isn't being done all over the place and why it is limited to a few select places: even though compared to the diameter of the earth the crust is very shallow (the earth's crust varies from 5 miles to 25 miles in depth or 26,000-132,000 feet), it would still take an extremely deep hole to reach a depth that would be feasible to produce steam. So deep in fact that most places in the world simply cannot do it. If it is too deep they are limitied by drill technology and energy loss as the steam makes its way back to the surface. This is why they are looking to places where the crust's depth is limited, such as volcanos. They aren't going to try and tap the heat from the actual volcano, but rather, take advantage of the fact that the mantle is closer to the earth's surface in those areas.

As far as an overall solution to our energy problems, we need to do a number of things that we haven't been allowed to do. 1) drill for oil 2) build more refineries 3) build more nuclear plants 4) build more reservoirs for hydroelectric 5) continue to develop alternatives such as solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels and others like we are currently doing.

The problem folks is that solutions 1-4 that I have outlined have consistently been blocked and are STILL being blocked by the Democratic party, mostly because of the strong environmental lobbies who contribute heavily to those candidates campaigns.

One last note. The alternative sources of energy are being developed as quickly as possible but it's just not going to happen quick enough. We need options 1-4 in a bad way. It is very shortsighted and idealistic of the Democratic party to hold our country hostage to the environmentalists agenda of perceived dangers.

Just my two cents.
Posted by Californian on June 26, 2008 7:27 PM
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All of us can do geothermal RIGHT NOW.

Just a few feet underground, the earth is a constant temperature. Drill a 600 foot deep hole, fill it with tubing and fill the hole with a mud-like thermal conductor.

Connect the tubing to a heat exchanger. Fill the tubing with something like antifreeze and start pulling the heat out.

In twenty or thirty years, you get your investment back--if you're allowed to drill a hole that deep by your local bureaucracy--and you get your house heated and cooled year around.

If you have a lot of acreage, you can dig a 12 foot deep trench all over your land and put the tubing in that.

Cost of installation? Thousands.

So how come we don't all do this? Same reason we don't tap into volcanoes. It's really expensive and there are better, more practical ways to heat and cool. Same as there are better ways to power our vehicles.
Posted by Koblog on June 26, 2008 7:25 PM
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The US has the resources to support our energy needs but we do not have the will to harness it. It is that simple. We elect liberal democratic politicans that make us feel good about doing "the right thing". But yet we bitch and moan at $4...$6...and $10 per gallon gas. Too bad we are a nation of 300 million losers that insist on committing national suicide. The great experiment know as the USA is over folks.....live with it.
Posted by Brian Donahue on June 26, 2008 7:20 PM
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So many people quick to demand more drilling for oil. I'm not really taking a stance there, but however you look at it, WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY OUR SOURCES FOR ENERGY!

Imagine only eating rice, nothing but rice. If rice becomes unavailable for whatever reason, you die.

As the old adage goes, DON'T PUT ALL OF YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET
Posted by diversify on June 26, 2008 7:13 PM
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Geothermal activity is by nature dangerous and unreliable. It doubt it will ever become a major source of energy.
Posted by TJP on June 26, 2008 7:12 PM
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We're doomed unless our politicians start THINKING, grow a big pair and do what's right for the country, rather than what's best for the party or thier campaigns. Perhaps we could power the country on all the hot air from congress, they would finally be productive.

GEO will get bogged down in paperwork and gov't or by enviro law suits just like solar is right now in the western states.

Hook up the enviro obstructionists to human powered generators and let them provide the alternative energy.They want alternative energy but not if it requires land or water or air or fuel.





Posted by JB on June 26, 2008 7:04 PM
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Do they have journalism schools in the UK? What do they teach? The Telegraph and the Guardian have the most ridiculous articles. Its like reading the National Enquirer in the States.
Posted by Matt on June 26, 2008 7:02 PM
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At the current rate of global warming, and the current rate of depletion of the Earth's limited natural resources, we will be out of viable sources of energy sometime in the next several Milennia. Rather than pursuing geothermal, solar, wind or any other form of energy that is only a temporary solution, let's instead start working on colonizing Mars. Why bother with short-term solutions. Let's think long-term... that way in the year 3008, our ancestors will be set. Do you liberal nutjobs not realize that my argument is no more ridiculous than your wacko global warming conspiracy theories and your moronic argument to cease oil exploration and work on some pipe-dream alternative? If Obama has his way, the U.S. will not have an energy crisis in 4 years... we'll have an existence crisis. If you want the U.S. to cease to be, vote for that Obamanation. Otherwise, wake-up idiots.
Posted by Scott M on June 26, 2008 7:00 PM
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On average, the tempurature of the earth's crust increases 25 degrees celsius per kilometer (72 degrees fahreheit per mile). Here in southern Arizona USA where I live, the crust is approximately 30 kilometers thick. Simple. Bore big hole (three miles should do, 216 degrees f) , insert big pipe containing multiple small pipes making round trip, in goes H20 - out comes super-heated steam. Add turbine+generator. Done. Investment vs earnings? I have no idea. Anyone care to tackle that last point? I found the rest of the above in about 10 minutes.
Posted by Tim in Arizona on June 26, 2008 6:56 PM
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Yo! Idiots! why do we need to sell leases to companies to "explore" for geothermal energy. Just give them away in a lottery. If it is viable and gets developed at market prices the gov't will get taxes on earnings. Let the capitalist system work. Public lands are a public trust for the benefit of all Americans, not just the malnurished, beansprout eating, long haired, dope smoking, sixties throw-back, college chair infiltrating socialists that hate freedom, free enterprise and want us dancing in the dust, flies in our eyes, Ethiopian style poor. As for the rest of the world, it's too late for you anyway. You've already surrendered to radical Islam or wolf in sheeps clothing socialism disguised as environmentalism anyway (except for Sarkozy and he won't last long being vilified by the European press.) Drill here, drill now, pay less, live free.
Posted by Barry Hopkins on June 26, 2008 6:52 PM
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good luck on getting it to market, We have geothermal plants in southeast California & the hypocrite "greenies" are blocking power lines that will bring it to a underserved area, San Diego County.

First greenies demand we create green energy then they demand we not use it, thereby reinforcing our dependance on oil...These people are truly stupid & unfortunately they have bribed the corrupt political establishment in this nation to keep us in the energy dark ages.
Posted by Gary Pate on June 26, 2008 6:37 PM
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I propose 10,000 mega-watts of geo-thermal electrical power generators be built in Yellostone Park !!! Sure is a zillion times smarter idea than Lib-idiot, stupid wind generators that run at 15% of total capacity on average, and amortized out will never even pay for themselves !! BTW, most all of those vast geothermal active sites are NOT lava; but much lower temperatures. MEANING: LOW Efficiency AGAIN !!! Why can't libs and eco-whacks learn THERMODYNAMICS ??
Posted by Orcle Magnus on June 26, 2008 6:36 PM
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The average republican is smarter than 99% of all scientists. Even smarter than nobel prize winning scientists. that must feel awesome!

pollution is a myth! glad those smart republicans figured that one out.

thats why john McCain is asking for all nuke waste to be dumped in Arizona. becasue its safe and nothing to worry about.
Posted by ginsu on June 26, 2008 6:32 PM
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SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC: Remember the dire warnings that the South Pole ice cap was melting? What was never reported was the real cause: there was a huge volcanic eruption underneath the ice whcih did melt a huge area (and maybe still is). But, it was more important to the media crowd to report "global warming" did it.
Posted by TexGEOas on June 26, 2008 3:35 PM
*************************************
Tex, do you have a link for that story??? I would love to see it!

gibbs303
Posted by gibbs303 on June 26, 2008 6:31 PM
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Here in the US, the writing was on the wall in 1973 when we waited in endless lines for gasoline. I thought that would be the impetus for developing other technologies, but politicans are in bed with oil companies, and we all know how that goes.
Here on Hawaii's Big Island, 25% of our electricity comes from wind and geothermal sources. There's no reason why that total can't be 100%, but roadblocks by environmentalists and delusional individuals who demand that Hawaii be suspended in time are the main roadblocks.
We ALL have a culture. People who claim THEIR culture trumps YOUR own culture need to be put in their proper place,
Posted by Richard on June 26, 2008 6:28 PM
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I'm pleased to see that the US does not have a monopoly on morons and that many are alive and well in the UK as evidenced on this page as those disregarding grammar and science as well.

Sinking a 30cm pipe into Yellowstone is not going to set off a volcano.

Underground heat exchange does not require bringing corrosives to the surface.

This is a long-term clean solution and a possible hydrogen supply. Electric power may be used to "crack" water into H2 and O for distribution.

If we send the price of oil back down again it will be 1973 all over again. We will then impose the hardship on our children's generation and their's to come as it has been imposed on us.

THINK, people.




Posted by Marty Kay Zee on June 26, 2008 6:20 PM
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I love these europeans who try to make it sound like Americans are just waking up - and you readers believe whatever they print. Geothermal power plants in the US have been operating for more than 30 years - many people have invested significant resources to try to build more. Geothermal is much more complicated and risky than people appear to understand, and until power prices and / or other incentives will compensate investors for the risk, development of new plants will be slow.
Posted by AJ on June 26, 2008 6:16 PM
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Dale Musser is correct. Geothermal has great potential but with our current technology we would have to constantly drill new holes as old ones cooled off. Maybe as our drilling technology increases we can drill deep enough to allow as to get more time out of each hole.

Geothermal should still be pursued just as every possible, viable energy source should be, including coal, oil, nuclear, nuclear, and gas. Why should we limit ourselves on all of the resources that our wonderful country has. Drilling offshore would provide our country with a huge supply of natural gas and some oil and may even prevent pollution since many offshore oil deposits naturally leak into the ocean polluting our shores.
Posted by Boyd on June 26, 2008 6:15 PM
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As a mechanical engineer who has been involved in the design, conception, and installation of geothermal systems here in Canada for the last 13 years, I can say from experience that geothermal energy can reduce your energy dependence for the heating and cooling of buildings by up to 70%....without using volcanoes or hot springs!

All you have to do is dig wells in the ground. If you find a water reservoir underground, then you can build an open-loop system which is typically the most cost-effective geothermal solution. If you cannot find water underground, you are left with the closed loop option, which is typically more expensive, but just as efficient.

Geothermal systems are what we call "sustainable", because they reduce your dependence on non-renewable energy sources, and function on a natural cycle, i.e. the heat extracted from your home in summer is stored underground, and is then used to heat your home in the winter, and so on. Since there is no one to make money on your energy usage (the home is nearly self-sufficient), there is no heavy marketing for the technology, and no major corporation ready to reap the profits. So here's a golden rule for really sustainable solutions: They are NEVER advertised broadly, and are only available for those who care enough to find a solution to their energy consumption problems.
Posted by WhatWhatWhat? on June 26, 2008 6:12 PM
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The USA is rich, compared to the rest of the world, because we have FREEDOM OF RELIGION, AND BIBLE-BELIEF. JESUS CHRIST blesses the USA because the USA has a history of righteousness (compared to the other nations). It is the GREAT CHRISTIAN NATION, in the eyes of the world. This is very embarassing to the anti-christs (democrats), so they are determined to destroy our prosperity, one way or another.

I recommend www.bible-codes.org.
and DEAN COOMBS, Toronto, Canada.
Posted by dennis m on June 26, 2008 6:11 PM
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Hydrogen can also be produced from water by electrolysis. If the electricity used for the electrolysis is produced using renewable energy, the production of the hydrogen would (in principle) result in no net carbon dioxide emissions.
Convert the geothermal energy on site to hydrogen for use in hydrogen powered vehicles.
Posted by Casimir Champion on June 26, 2008 6:10 PM
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Great! another lame energy article parading another dubious alternative energy source. Good platform for politically retarded conservatives to ridicule Al Gore--apparently, it's still funny after 8 years--almost as funny as your understanding of this subject.
Posted by Vaughn on June 26, 2008 6:00 PM
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I find it interesting that the most geothermally active country in the world (as near as I'm aware of, Iceland), only developes 18% of their power from geothermal. Remember, they are an island. The rest of their power comes from the same old fossel fuel sources as ours. Interesting! If they didn't need to, I'm sure they wouldn't import all that energy. Geothermal is definately a hopeful thing, but it is not there yet! We need to have things that work now while we work to develope the other energy sources. Let's please remember to take care of today as we prepare for tomorrow.
Posted by Jimmy Matlock on June 26, 2008 5:58 PM
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Japanese also had tapped into geothermal energy for years. The technology had been there all these years but guess the big oil lobby blocked federal assistance to such "clean" energy source.
Posted by TL on June 26, 2008 5:53 PM
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Use the hydrothermal energy at the site to convert snow to hydrogen for use in hydrogen powered automobiles.
Posted by Casimir Champion on June 26, 2008 5:46 PM
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Completely without regard to the environment, I present a short history lesson.

US anthracite (high grade coal) production peaked in the 20s and it's loss was a contributing factor to the Great Depression. The cost of rail and shipping skyrocketed over the course of just a few years. Suddenly it cost more to ship food to the city, more to run the factories and many businesses could no longer pay their bills, going under and putting as many as 1 out of 4 Americans out of work. Foreclosures skyrocketed. The whole time the coal companies kept telling everyone there was plenty of anthracite and they would get it to market any day now if the government would just help them. It's been 80 years now and that peak has never been matched.

It wasn't until the large scale deployment of a replacement energy source which was oil at the time, that the economy recovered. But US oil production peaked in 1973 and while the oil companies keep claiming that they can deliver more oil to the market if the government would just help them - it's been 35 years and they've never matched that peak.

The US trade defict is $60B a month. Over $40B of that is oil. Please understand, when it comes to US economics today nothing else matters. Oil costs us more than anything else. Oil costs more than the war. Oil costs more than social security. Oil costs more than welfare. Oil is the black meth that is fueling our binge of self destruction.

Wake up! The Sun, the Wind & the Rain will last as long as the planet. The price will never go up & we don't have to kill anybody to use them.

Posted by Ugly American on June 26, 2008 5:43 PM
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UTTER STUPIDITY:

The technology is not that difficult. You drill into the ground where it is hot, run underground pipes that can handle high temperatures, pump water in one end, pump very hot water/steam out the other end to drive a turbine. This is essentially how a nuclear power plant works. There are thousands of areas in the U.S. and around the world for this technology. Add plug-in hybrid cars and you could cut 35% of petroleum use pretty quickly.
Posted by Franc on June 26, 2008 3:13 PM
___________________________________

COMMON SENSE:

There are a lot of problems with geothermal. That's not to say it isn't worth exploring, experimenting with, and developing. A big thing that people have to remember is all energy forms will take development time. Yes an oil well started now will not reach full production for years, but if you don't start now you won't have it then either. Just as a nuclear plant can take many years to be approved, designed, built, and staffed, but if we don't start now we'll have to live without it that much longer. Let's get this country building again.
Posted by JBird on June 26, 2008 4:11 PM
______________________________________
Posted by Joey on June 26, 2008 5:34 PM
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Absolute pipe dream. The equivalent to planting a steam generatation power plant on the surface of the sun.
1. You cannot anticipate the destructive forces at work.
2. You cannot anticipate the destructive forces that may be pushed to other areas by trying to limit or impede geothermal flow.
Posted by Joe on June 26, 2008 5:27 PM
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I have a friend that worked at a nuclear power plant for many years. He said that they could produce enough to power the city of atlanta for 20 years.. and the waste created would be the size of a large swimming pool
Posted by taylor on June 26, 2008 5:26 PM
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There is ONE nation in the world which does not dril the oil that is plentiful within its boundarie. That nation is the United States. There is also one nation in the world that elects morons who spend their days sucking on their thumbs. That too is the Untied States. The elected thumb suckers are Democratic politicans that truly have no idea what they are talking about. For the past twenty years, Democrats have stood in the way of our drilling for oil in places where it is accessible. That has just about destroyed our economy and is pushing us toward third world status. Today they say no use drilling for oil because it might take (3) (5) (7) (10) or (20) years - take your pick - before that oil will reach the consumer. Well jackasses, had you started twenty years ago or 10,7,5 or 3 years ago, WE'D HAVE THE FREAKIN' OIL NOW. And yes, yes, yes we are going to find a cheap, dependable, natural, bio-fuel almost any day now that will fuel our cars and our transport trucks at whatever - it's all just around the corner.
BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT CORNER so we better start drilling just in case you are as wrong today as you have been every year for the past twenty years on just about everything!!!!
Drill now. If we don't need the oil, and we don't want to sell it to those who will need it, then we can shut the spigot off. But if we do need it, we can't just turn the spigot on. We need to have drilled for it first.
I have an answer. Take goofy people like Pelosi and Reed and Murtha and Kerry and Obama - take them all and give them jobs outside Washington. Maybe holding up signs that say: "wait til next year".
They are all dumb as dirt. This is the real world not Disney. And by the way, there is no real consensus on global warming, global cooling, climate change, solar activity or lack thereof etc etc etc. We can all agree something is going on but what, for how long, and to what degree - no one knows. Hell the more people are on one side of an issue, the better the chance they are all wrong. I call it the Copernicus syndrome.

Joey
Posted by Joey on June 26, 2008 5:24 PM
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Of course it is a great idea...

link

True, active GEOTHERMAL Energy works something like the following:

* Use the boundless internal heat of the earth to boil water to spin turbine to generate electricity, instead of burning coal to do it.
* Consider the earth on the scale of a basketball.
* Now spray paint the basketball the color blue, just enough so it appears blue, i.e. one coat of spray paint.


Now consider the following:


* The single coat of spray paint on a basketball is the same thickness as the earth's crust is, relatively speaking.

Beneath the earth's very thin crust is extremely hot material, over 1600 degrees in fact, of molten rock, the outer mantle, i.e. lava lies just below this very very thin layer known as the crust.

The earth's crust is even thinner than the skin of an apple for example in comparison.

If Earth were an Apple, below the skin would be LAVA

Obviously we do not want to get quite that close to punching all the way through the earth's crust, there is no need to.

The stone layer near the bottom of the earth's crust, just above the outer mantle is naturally quite hot.

So hot in fact that we could run water through pipes near it to boil water to power a steam turbine generator to produces endless electricity which could be stored in hydrogen fuel cells to power cars and everything else for free, with zero emissions, forever. Precisely the same technologies we currently use to explore and mine coal and petroleum are needed to dig the wells deep enough to reach this hot layer to boil the water to turn the turbines which spin the generators. It is a no brainer. Of course the cynical will say we would already being doing it this way if it were so easy, to that just think of all the other things we used to do a certain way that later changed.
Posted by Dr. Angelito on June 26, 2008 5:23 PM
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Generating electricity is mostly done by boiling water and putting it through turbines.

Oil, gas, coal, nuclear, geothermal, it doesn't matter weaht the heat source. The object is to boil some water.

Geothermal seems to be the a successful way to do it in many cases. So go with it.
Posted by Steve G NYC on June 26, 2008 5:20 PM
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I agree with Arctic Lion. The time of cleansing is
upon us. The one thing I find unfortunate is the fact
that many 'innocents' must go during the purging of
humanity. Then again, the idea of innocence is
certainly laughable considering we have always
been the problem. I think humanity got screwed
when we decided to "out-smart" natural selection.
Posted by Tony G. on June 26, 2008 5:17 PM
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nuclear power would be cheaper and easier. not only do you need a great capital investment at these volcanoes, which may be blown to pieces at any given moment, you also need a tremendous heat sink (i.e. river, ocean) to be able to make efficient use of the energy. this is not always readily available near a volcano.
Posted by Werner on June 26, 2008 5:07 PM
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Geothermal energy power plants do
not require blowing up a volcano, they capture the heat or pressure generated and use it to run turbines or even directly heat buildings. In Iceland they heat the sidewalks and roads in winter to keep them clear. Iceland is almost energy self sufficient due to their abundance of geothermal activity and use.

In the oil crisis of 1973/4 the US and many other countries invested in research into geothermal resources and if the price of oil had not gone down there may be more geothermal power plants in operation today, allowing us to be energy independent and not reliant on oil and the companies that produce it.
Posted by headonshoulders on June 26, 2008 5:04 PM
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There is no shortage of human waste. GO POOPIE POWER!!
Posted by Soylent Green on June 26, 2008 4:58 PM
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Iceland makes it work. Also read that the Azores are exploring using it also.
Posted by bill on June 26, 2008 4:56 PM
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Dear energy addicts,

Alternative energy has remained an "alternative" to existing energy sources because is can't compete in cost efficiency, and or in mass applications.

If you want gasoline to double in price yet again, and see your electric bill double also, then vote for Obama - the alternative energy candidate.

Even at $140 a barrel, its still cheaper to pump and ship and refine natures free bounty of oil, than to squeeze alcohol out of corn (while starving the poor around the world).

If we started switching to Obama's Wind and Solar "alternative" dream world right now, it would 20 years to convert and it would triple our monthly heating (or air-conditioning) bills. Alternative technologies just aren't nearly as cheap or efficient as gas, coal, oil, nuclear - etc.

Meanwhile, since Obama doesn't want more oil exploration, the price of gasoline will double and triple again under an Obama administration. And since Obama doesn't want nuclear power, we won't have the electric capacity to manufacture all that clean burning hydrogen everyone keeps talking about for our future auto fleet.

Wake up people. The Democratic Party wants to make YOU energy poor. They think it is unfair that Americans have a decent standard of living, and they want to force us all into third world status with insane energy policies based on politically correct "feelings" and bad global warming science.
Posted by Parker on June 26, 2008 4:54 PM
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Even if they had all the money in the world and have the permission from all the liberal marxist hippies, still, this scam would only produce 2% of America's power needs... THERE IS THE PROBLEM WITH POWER LOSS DUE TO LONG TRANSMISSION. GOD, these story writers should at least pass a high school practical electricity course.
Posted by Bullwinkle Obama on June 26, 2008 4:54 PM
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Electrical power generation also needs to be somewhat close to where it's used. Even high voltage transmission lines have energy losses. Geothermal wouldn't work for the East coast of the U.S. Also, the steam from geothermal also has large amounts of sulfuric acid in it. This will damage system piping.
Posted by Pepsiholic on June 26, 2008 4:51 PM
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Those liberals are such hypocrits, wanting to drill
into volcanos and pull oil out, but not wanting to
drill into wildlife preserves. I bet there's over 9000
barrels of oil in those preserves and didilly squat in
those volcanos. They call us Nazis and yet theyre
the ones who are so backwards that the probably
talk out of their buttholes!
Posted by SaluteIraq on June 26, 2008 4:48 PM
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Geo-thermal power has been used in New Zealand for years. The Maoris used to, and still do, use geo-thermal power to cook in certain areas. To learn more go to link
Posted by Delta Dave on June 26, 2008 4:44 PM
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You know what also works really well? Oil. You know who has a lot of oil? We do.
Posted by Chris on June 26, 2008 4:40 PM
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Great, in the future if we ever to go to war with counties that have volcanoes there will still be the same protesters chanting “NO WAR FOR VOLCANOES”. Don’t volcanoes release poisoned gas, and don’t scientists blame volcanoes for the ice age? Now volcano drilling is going to cause global cooling. This never ends…
Posted by mike on June 26, 2008 4:39 PM
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Would environmentalists hate me if I drove a nuclear powered tank. (I know its big, but I wouldn't have to buy gas for 3,000 years)?
Posted by Axiom on June 26, 2008 4:38 PM
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Just keep in mind, as the wonderful liberal left, ie:Nanzi Pelosi and her loyal following keep telling us,"The days of plentyful and CHEAP energy is over".Nothing will happen until they impliment a hugh hidden TAX on the product. Also why is nothing being said about how much the World Bank and the International Monitary Fund (IMF) effects energy prices. Also the imperial U.S government makes more on a gallon of gas from high taxes and royalties than the oil companies do. And the U.S government has nothing invested in its production but HOT AIR which which is why we keep re-electing these idiots/leaders. We need term limits NOW.

Posted by LJ on June 26, 2008 4:34 PM
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Great, in the future if we ever to go to war with counties that have volcanoes there will still be the same protesters chanting “NO WAR FOR VOLCANOES”. Don’t volcanoes release poisoned gas, and don’t scientists blame volcanoes for the ice age? Now volcano drilling is going to cause global cooling. This never ends…
Posted by Mike on June 26, 2008 4:34 PM
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In Hawaii we've been using geothermal energy for years. It supplies 20% of the energy need for the island of Hawaii.
Posted by Val on June 26, 2008 4:31 PM
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Yet another excuse to dance around the big N - NUCLEAR POWER. I know from personal experience that geothermal energy now is a tax-supported boondoggle (as the article hints).

Nuclear power is the ONLY power source that is CURRENTLY available on a scale and with characteristics to support our energy needs for the next 30 years.

Nuclear power stations are extremely safe, and are DESIGNED to contain and store all radioactive waste.

By contrast, the NuLabor coal, oil and gas fired stations are DESIGNED to spew into the atmosphere (and our lungs) millions of TONNES of CO2 and hundreds of thousands of tonnes of OTHER POLLUTANTS (including heavy metals and even radioactive uranium!)

See this study for detailed analysis:

link
Posted by Ben Florsheim on June 26, 2008 4:30 PM
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Alaska is too remote from the major U.S. load. We
need someplace more centrally located--like
Yellowstone.
Posted by Bic Ballpoint on June 26, 2008 4:27 PM
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Oil is just pollution until it's used as fuel, then it becomes an economical driving force. How are the geothermal futures trading anyway? Buy them while they're still low. Let's see, pristine land is off limits to search for geo-oil, but it's OK for building geo-thermal plants? Oil is just as natural as volcanoes.
Posted by CHAD on June 26, 2008 4:22 PM
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More Futuristic methods about energy that lies in the FUTURE. We need oil in the USA NOW. We risk dollar and economic collapse by not drilling for oil NOW. DRILL DRILL DRILL.....These LibTardGreens are in large part shining you on with all this talk of fanciful energy sources.
Posted by Fred X on June 26, 2008 4:18 PM
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The huge supervolcano caldera under Yellowstone isn't going any where. It just keeps getting bigger. But could they make use of it without setting it off?
Posted by daliere on June 26, 2008 4:13 PM
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I have been trying to get support for a logical way to stop gobal warming and this story gave me the idea. Lets induce vocanic erruptions from several well places volcanoes at the same time around the world using nukes! It will send ash into atmosphere and will cool the planet as well as help eliminate unwanted weapons. What do you think_
Posted by Grindoreno on June 26, 2008 4:13 PM
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Iceland used to get most of it's energy from geothermal. Lately they have moving more to hydrodynamic energy. They also have a few natural gas power stations.

There are a lot of problems with geothermal. That's not to say it isn't worth exploring, experimenting with, and developing. A big thing that people have to remember is all energy forms will take development time. Yes an oil well started now will not reach full production for years, but if you don't start now you won't have it then either. Just as a nuclear plant can take many years to be approved, designed, built, and staffed, but if we don't start now we'll have to live without it that much longer. Let's get this country building again.
Posted by JBird on June 26, 2008 4:11 PM
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You can count on it like the rising of the sun, more stupid ideas from the tree huggers.
Posted by JohnF on June 26, 2008 4:07 PM
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The first one was invented in 1904!!! I'm going to have to reason that we are a little more advanced 100 years later. This could be an alternative
(one of several)
Posted by Andy on June 26, 2008 3:57 PM
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Re: Opita51 comment -
I think Iceland has an actual government working for the benefit of its population, not the monied few. That pretty much rules out the USA...
Posted by Balanda on June 26, 2008 3:50 PM
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Until the energy companies and the politicians that own them (both democrat and republican) find a way to make alternative fuels as profitable as oil, For example, EXXON THERMAL instead of EXXON OIL then none of these ideas will be put to use. It's not Joe Snuffy that is ordering the Wind Energy Windmill for his farm, it is an farm with an energy companies name on it. And one of these posts is right. There are just to many people in the world with not respect to stewardship. These are truly scary times.
Posted by FedUP on June 26, 2008 3:48 PM
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What a fabulous idea.
Posted by Susan on June 26, 2008 3:47 PM
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The greens don't like it either. Check out Hawaii.


link
Posted by Rick Brad on June 26, 2008 3:37 PM
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Um, doesn't geothermal cause earthquakes?
Posted by Tim C on June 26, 2008 3:36 PM
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SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC: Remember the dire warnings that the South Pole ice cap was melting? What was never reported was the real cause: there was a huge volcanic eruption underneath the ice whcih did melt a huge area (and maybe still is). But, it was more important to the media crowd to report "global warming" did it.
Posted by TexGEOas on June 26, 2008 3:35 PM
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SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC: Remember the dire warnings that the South Pole ice cap was melting? What was never reported was the real cause: there was a huge volcanic eruption underneath the ice whcih did melt a huge area (and maybe still is). But, it was more important to the media crowd to report "global warming" did it.
Posted by TexGEOas on June 26, 2008 3:34 PM
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Have you ever seen the pictures of the volcano in Mexico, in which many different UFO's have actually been videod and photo'd going inside the volcano. Gee, I wonder why?
Posted by brian on June 26, 2008 3:25 PM
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Let me get this straight!?? So far anyway, the environmentalists arent opposed to drilling, excavating and piping energy from a valcano or underground geothermal energy source, but just say "drill for oil" which is much less harmful to the environment then excavating a valcano!!, and see what happens! My God people wake up!! We need all energy sources, not only now but for our childrens children.
Posted by Texas Geologist on June 26, 2008 3:24 PM
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Let me get this straight!?? So far anyway, the environmentalists arent opposed to drilling, excavating and piping energy from a valcano or underground geothermal energy source, but just say "drill for oil" which is much less harmful to the environment then excavating a valcano!!, and see what happens! My God people wake up!! We need all energy sources, not only now but for our childrens children.
Posted by Texas Geologist on June 26,