The Arizona Geological Survey has received a $15.7 million grant that will enable them to lead the development of a national geothermal data system. Forty state geological surveys will be contributing state-specific geothermal data. Press release for this event.
A German news site reports on a geothermal contractor drilling a well that would be used for a home heating system. At a depth of 130 meters the well erupted into a geyser spraying 6000 liters of water per minute.
Nicaragua is thought to have more geothermal energy potential than any other country in Central America. Two Canadian companies are helping the country increase its geothermal capabilities.
In 1998, Bernie and Connie Karl took over Chena Hot Springs Resort in Alaska – and discovered that the springs were warmed by diesel fuel. The couple converted the resort to low-temperature geothermal power using an innovative portable generator.
Australia has enormous geothermal potential in hot aquifers, volcanic sources and hot rocks at depth. So far very little has been done to tap Australian geothermal.
A geothermal plant has been built at the Teapot Dome oil field near Casper, Wyoming. The plant produces about 250 kilowats of electricity from hot water associated with oil production.
The Geothermal Energy Association has released its U.S. Geothermal Power Production and Development Update listing 10 GW of new geothermal development projects in 14 states.
Fearing potential problems with carbon legislation electric companies in the southwest states such as Arizona, Nevada and southern California are looking harder at renewable sources of electricity instead of coal.
University of Utah researchers will use a method similar “hydraulic fracturing” done by the natural gas industry to stimulate the yield of a geothermal well at a US Geothermal, Inc site near Malta, Idaho. Increasing the number of fractures in the rock should enhance its ability to deliver steam.
The Peppermill Casino in Reno, Nevada decided to bet $8 million on a geothermal well. They hit 170-degree water that will supply enough energy for space heating and hot water for their 2.1 million square foot resort.
The Energy Information Administration offers email subscriptions that allow you to receive messages when they publish a new energy update. There are a wide range of topics that you can subscribe to – some for specific types of energy (such as natural gas) and some for geographic-based information (such as Kansas energy topics).
Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are developing a way to capture more heat from low-temperature geothermal sources. The key to the process is a biphasic fluid containing a metal-organic heat carrier.
Sam Holbrook is a park ranger who has worked at the Old Faithful geyser for 43 summers. He loves the job and says “I’d probably do this for nothin’ but don’t tell the Park Service”.
About two years ago, a large landslide buried many geysers in the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia. Now, a new one has begun to erupt: the Prikolny, meaning “peculiar”, geyser, which reuses its water. This video shows Prikolny in action.
A well being drilled as part of the Iceland Deep Drilling Project entered a magma filled chamber. Here is quote from their report…
“At 2104 m depth the weight on the drill bit suddenly declined, the rate of penetration shot up and there was an immediate increase in torque. On pulling up a few meters to free the bit and circulate cooling fluid, cuttings of clear glass appeared, followed by darker colored obsidian.”
A post at the Arizona Geology blog gives a brief description of the National Geothermal Data System and how data for the system will integrate with the Geoscience Information Network.
“Solar and wind energy seem to get most of the attention as alternative energies, but last week, President Obama announced $350 million of federal stimulus funds for geothermal energy that could be the impetus to make it a much more widely used resource.” Quoted from the Arizona Geology Blog.
A new bill in Congress proposes to establish the “Clean Energy Deployment Administration” within the Department of Energy. The agency would work to increase the diversity of US energy supplies and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Dr. Erik Klemetti has an interesting post on his Eruptions blog titled: “Could geothermal drilling cause an eruption?” Is drilling in areas with hot rocks down below flirting with an eruption?
This video explains how a geothermal home heating/air-conditioning system works and visits an installation project near the New York Finger Lakes. A 30% federal tax credit should help convince many homeowners to make an investment in geothermal.
Willcox Greenhouses, a company in Arizona, is drilling a 4000-foot-deep well to tap geothermal energy for their tomato facility. The hot water will be used to heat their greenhouses.
An article at the Wall Street Journal website explores the scale of US renewable energy efforts compared to the current hydrocarbon dependence. President Obama wants to double the amount of renewable energy produced in the next three years. But if we double and double and double and double again we will still be mainly dependent upon hydrocarbons.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia plans to offer 15 potential geothermal sites up for bidding. They believe that 1,500 MW of electricity can be produced from these fields.
The Geothermal Energy Association is offering a new report for free downloading from their website. “Geothermal 101: Basics of Geothermal Energy Production and Use” gives a broad overview of geothermal energy production from small home-size projects up to power plant size projects.
The Geothermal Energy Association believes that incentives in the economic stimulus bill might spur enough interest in geothermal energy to double current capacity within just a few years.
After the Russian natural gas dispute, geothermal systems are looking more attractive to some countries in eastern Europe. Geothermal energy would help ease reliance on Russia’s gas, and is also more economical.
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