Despite its many obvious benefits, geothermal energy is criminally underutilized in the United States, but a number of U.S. drillers is now warming up to its potential
Another key benefit: geothermal is much cleaner than any fossil fuel out there. Whereas geothermal power plants are frequently associated with sulfur dioxide and silica emissions as well as traces of toxic heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, and boron, the emissions profile of geothermal energy
is nowhere near as bad as those of fossil fuels. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says geothermal power plants emit about 99% less carbon dioxide and 97% less acid rain-causing sulfur compounds than fossil fuel power plants of similar size. Further, geothermal power plants are frequently equipped with scrubbers to remove the hydrogen sulfide naturally found in geothermal reservoirs.
LCOE calculates the present value of the total cost of building and operating a power plant over an assumed lifetime. Even more worrying is the fact that geothermal development costs have been expanding, increasing by 47% from 2010-2021 at a time when solar PV costs fell 82%; onshore wind development declined 35% while offshore wind costs decreased by 41%.
For the most part, geothermal has only made economic sense in countries such as Iceland, where heat and water can be found close to the surface of the Earth. However, much like shale drilling, EGS creates a subsurface fracture system that increases the permeability of rock and allows for the injection of a heat transfer fluid . The injected fluid is then heated by the rock and returned to the surface to generate electricity. In June, the U.S.
, thereby vastly increasing the competitiveness of geothermal power. Further, the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law includedThe private sector is also beginning to take tentative steps into geothermal energy, with a slew of partnered its clean energy subsidiary
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why Hydro Energy Storage Is Needed Despite Its Shortcomings | OilPrice.comEnergy storage is going to become an increasingly important issue in the future, and while pumped hydro energy storage has its detractors, it is likely to play a key role in the future of energy
Read more »
Britain imports most of its sperm - so scientists found out who it comes fromThe UK relies on men from other countries to send us their sperm. Figures released in November show more than half of men (52%) newly registered in the UK as sperm donors are actually from overseas 🤯
Read more »
Moment Chinese crowd attack cop car despite Beijing's attempts to crush dissentTHIS is the dramatic moment Chinese protesters smashed up a police car over a firework ban. Furious residents in China’s Henan province swarmed the cop car and attacked an officer after they …
Read more »
Keir Starmer defends backing private sector in NHS despite 'end outsourcing' pledgeKEIR Starmer has defended backing the use of the private sector to drive down NHS waiting lists, despite his leadership pledge to “end outsourcing…
Read more »
Harry says they never accused Royals of being racist despite Meghan's claimPRINCE Harry tonight sensationally denied ever accusing the Royal Family of being racist. Millions of ITV viewers were stunned to see Harry distance himself from incendiary comments made on US tell…
Read more »