This Technology Could Revolutionize Clean Energy

In this video we cover enhanced geothermal and the role it could play in decarbonizing the world's electric grid.

Recently there have been a series of breakthroughs in enhanced geothermal systems, an advanced method of generating electricity from the Earth’s heat.

If these developments continue, geothermal could generate between 10 and 20 percent of the country’s electricity in the coming decades, according to recent studies from the Department of Energy and Princeton.

Enhanced geothermal could also solve one of clean energy’s biggest problems: intermittency. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal power plants can operate at all hours of the day, no matter the weather or time of year.

In this story, I’ll cover the past, present, and future of enhanced geothermal and look at what needs to happen in order for the technology to play a large role in decarbonizing America’s power sector.

#climatechange #technology #sustainability #geothermal #energy

[jcc]

The biggest problem I can see with most geothermal would be the calcification of the plumbing now if they could do it with a closed system, where they took demineralized water and pumped it down into the ground, kept it inside of the pipes, and then return to surface with the heat it could be a decent system. But most hot water from those deaths are highly mineralized and would require constant maintenance using acids to keep the plumbing functional.

[BuffRoss]

Mechanical engineer working in the renewable energy sector here. Thanks a LOT for the input. Very interesting!

[DanielBrotherston]

Lol "but Oil and Gas wells have a loophole and can permit new wells in just a few years"...Of COURSE they do...

[beap-]

Not sure this is the most promising geothermal innovation, but who knows. Ever hear of Eavor? They don't use fracking, but drill down deep enough to harvest energy from anywhere essentially. I believe they use a closed-loop type of system.

[futureunfolded]

Great video! You should check out the latest drilling technology (millimeter wave drilling). I'd love to see a follow up video where you talk about how "easy" it could be to retrofit some oil and gas power plants to use geothermal steam if we can drill deep enough. I'm surprised you didn't mention the geothermal energy project in Swan Hills Alberta.

[danuuribe]

Excellent, informative, and timely! Thanks, Michael!

[sailingbrewer]

Fun fact. Since the induction of water creates a ton of pressure. It creates little earthquakes. The USGS and other seismic networks have a bunch of seismic sites to study earthquakes

[desertvoyeur]

Needs to be updated to include closed-loop geothermal- at 22 km deep, a single borehole ONLY is needed, as there is sufficient heat to provide all the steam necessary. Microwave heating melts its way down, leaving a vitreous- lined hole. Whether or when this technique can be proven is unknown, but if accomplished, it will usher in an era of pollution free energy accessible 24/7 any place on the planet. Quaise Energy is one company trying.

[mjoelnir]

The areas were you find permeable rock, water and heat are more common than talked about here. We are very far from exhausting those areas. Going to enhanced geothermal systems opens up nearly the whole world for geothermal power plants. It is actually strange how little geothermal energy is used for producing electricity, space heating and industrial applications.
It produces energy 24/7/365, is inexpensive to run, costs far less to build compared to nuclear and is that abounded, it could provide all the primary energy needs of the USA for example.

[AndyWearsPants]

Fervo's geothermal tech is pretty good, but Eavor's is significantly better. While Fervo relies on fracking tech, Eavor uses a closed-loop system that eliminates the fracking piece and all the problems that go with it. Details on Eavor's YouTube channel.

[GiacomoMilazzo]

Being a recent video is very strange that no mention has been made to the real revolution in geothermal: the deep and everywhere millimetric wavelength drilling by Quaise Energy. That's really seems the future.

[ValenHawk]

Deep drilling technology is the answer to our 24/7 needs

[harveybirdman]

But how will the oil companies drink the milkshake?

[jaxtelford]

Yeah! Lets crack open more of the earth...what could go wrong? Using fracking tech, pumping water into a "Hot area" ? Like they have excess water to throw away. Remember what happens to the aquifers during fracking?

[hafizuddinmohdlowhim]

With efficiency of 10%, it is not economical. if you are not lucky, it could be only 1%.
Only certain locations it can reach to 20%.

[mitseraffej]

I expect that this technology like all others will have an unforeseen detrimental effect on the planet, it’s just which is the lesser evil.

[mnomadvfx]

Ah yes, let's use tech already known to increase likelihood and frequency of geological events (earthquakes specifically) in an area like California already more prone to such 🙃

[keithd]

No. This Technology Could Revolutionise Clean Energy.

[rexdenemo]

High Folks,
This is a bad idea. There is maggma down there that wants to become lava. Not a good idea to piss off Hades!
V/r,
R

[romanchomenko]

Another greenwashing topic pumping water onto hot granite rocks, meaning uranium and thorium elements the water is then radioactive. Thus steaming radioactive water can be life threatening all I say its hare brained ideas amaze me .