Geothermal mapping report confirms vast coast-to-coast clean energy source

[jimmy olsen]

Very interesting, hopefully we can start exploiting this on a large scale.

http://www.smu.edu/News/2011/geothermal-24oct2011.aspx

First Google.Org-funded geothermal mapping report confirms vast coast-to-coast clean energy source
October 25, 2011

DALLAS (SMU) – New research from SMU's Geothermal Laboratory, funded by a grant from Google.org, documents significant geothermal resources across the United States capable of producing more than three million megawatts of green power – 10 times the installed capacity of coal power plants today.

Geothermal Map of the United StatesSophisticated mapping produced from the research, viewable via Google Earth at www.google.org/egs, demonstrates that vast reserves of this green, renewable source of power generated from the Earth's heat are realistically accessible using current technology.

The results of the new research, from SMU Hamilton Professor of Geophysics David Blackwell and Geothermal Lab Coordinator Maria Richards, confirm and refine locations for resources capable of supporting large-scale commercial geothermal energy production under a wide range of geologic conditions, including significant areas in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. The estimated amounts and locations of heat stored in the Earth's crust included in this study are based on nearly 35,000 data sites – approximately twice the number used for Blackwell and Richards' 2004 Geothermal Map of North America, leading to improved detail and contouring at a regional level.

Based on the additional data, primarily drawn from oil and gas drilling, larger local variations can be seen in temperatures at depth, highlighting more detail for potential power sites than was previously evident in the eastern portion of the U.S.  For example, eastern West Virginia has been identified as part of a larger Appalachian trend of higher heat flow and temperature.

Conventional U.S. geothermal production has been restricted largely to the western third of the country in geographically unique and tectonically active locations.  For instance, The Geysers Field north of San Francisco is home to more than a dozen large power plants that have been tapping naturally occurring steam reservoirs to produce electricity for more than 40 years.

However, newer technologies and drilling methods can now be used to develop resources in a wider range of geologic conditions, allowing reliable production of clean energy at temperatures as low as 100˚C (212˚F) – and in regions not previously considered suitable for geothermal energy production. Preliminary data released from the SMU study in October 2010 revealed the existence of a geothermal resource under the state of West Virginia equivalent to the state's existing (primarily coal-based) power supply.

"Once again, SMU continues its pioneering work in demonstrating the tremendous potential of geothermal resources," said Karl Gawell, executive director of the Geothermal Energy Association. "Both Google and the SMU researchers are fundamentally changing the way we look at how we can use the heat of the Earth to meet our energy needs, and by doing so are making significant contributions to enhancing our national security and environmental quality."

"This assessment of geothermal potential will only improve with time," said Blackwell.  "Our study assumes that we tap only a small fraction of the available stored heat in the Earth's crust, and our capabilities to capture that heat are expected to grow substantially as we improve upon the energy conversion and exploitation factors through technological advances and improved techniques."

Blackwell is releasing a paper with details of the results of the research to the Geothermal Resources Council on October 25, 2011.

Blackwell and Richards first produced the 2004 Geothermal Map of North America using oil and gas industry data from the central U.S.  Blackwell and the 2004 map played a significant role in a 2006 Future of Geothermal Energy study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that concluded geothermal energy had the potential to supply a substantial portion of the future U.S. electricity needs, likely at competitive prices and with minimal environmental impact. SMU's 2004 map has been the national standard for evaluating heat flow, temperature and thermal conductivity for potential geothermal energy projects.

In this newest SMU estimate of resource potential, researchers used additional temperature data and in-depth geological analysis for the resulting heat flow maps to create the updated temperature-at-depth maps from 3.5 kilometers to 9.5 kilometers (11,500 to 31,000 feet). This update revealed that some conditions in the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. are actually hotter than some areas in the western portion of the country, an area long-recognized for heat-producing tectonic activity. In determining the potential for geothermal production, the new SMU study considers the practical considerations of drilling, and limits the analysis to the heat available in the top 6.5 km (21,500 ft.) of crust for predicting megawatts of available power. This approach incorporates a newly proposed international standard for estimating geothermal resource potential that considers added practical limitations of development, such as the inaccessibility of large urban areas and national parks.  Known as the 'technical potential' value, it assumes producers tap only 14 percent of the 'theoretical potential' of stored geothermal heat in the U.S., using currently available technology.

Three recent technological developments already have sparked geothermal development in areas with little or no tectonic activity or volcanism:

    Low Temperature Hydrothermal – Energy is produced from areas with naturally occurring high fluid volumes at temperatures ranging from less than boiling to 150°C (300°F). This application is currently producing energy in Alaska, Oregon, Idaho and Utah.
     
    Geopressure and Coproduced Fluids Geothermal – Oil and/or natural gas are produced together with electricity generated from hot geothermal fluids drawn from the same well. Systems are installed or being installed in Wyoming, North Dakota, Utah, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
       
    Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) – Areas with low fluid content, but high temperatures of more than 150°C (300°F), are "enhanced" with injection of fluid and other reservoir engineering techniques. EGS resources are typically deeper than hydrothermal and represent the largest share of total geothermal resources capable of supporting larger capacity power plants.

A key goal in the SMU resource assessment was to aid in evaluating these nonconventional geothermal resources on a regional to sub-regional basis.

Areas of particular geothermal interest include the Appalachian trend (Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, to northern Louisiana), the aquifer heated area of South Dakota, and the areas of radioactive basement granites beneath sediments such as those found in northern Illinois and northern Louisiana. The Gulf Coast continues to be outlined as a huge resource area and a promising sedimentary basin for development. The Raton Basin in southeastern Colorado possesses extremely high temperatures and is being evaluated by the State of Colorado along with an area energy company.

SMU's Geothermal Laboratory in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences conducted this research through funding provided by Google.org, which is dedicated to using the power of information and innovation to advance breakthrough technologies in clean energy.

[MadImmortalMan]

Scanning the story, I see no mention of a cost per kilowatt.

[Valmy]

Scanning the story, I see no mention of a cost per kilowatt.

Doesn't that depend on lots of different factors?

[KRonn]

Sounds very interesting, and workable. I hadn't realized that there were already geothermal plants in operation.

[Sheilbh]

Scanning the story, I see no mention of a cost per kilowatt.

I imagine it'll have the same sort of monumental up-front costs as nuclear.

[Darth Wagtaros]

As I recall Lanfear was searching for this when she drilled The Bore into The Dark One's prison, thus causing the War of Power.  Do we really ened to follow her example Tim?

[jimmy olsen]

As I recall Lanfear was searching for this when she drilled The Bore into The Dark One's prison, thus causing the War of Power.  Do we really ened to follow her example Tim?

Not exactly.

[MadImmortalMan]

In the borehole pressure mines 100km beneath Planetsurface, at the Mohorovicic Discontinuity where crust gives way to mantle, temperatures often reach levels well in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius. Exploitation of Planet's resources under such brutal conditions has require quantum advances in robotic and teleoperational technology.

* Morgan Industries, Ltd., "Annual Report"

[Slargos]

Yes. I can't see where cracking the crust of the planet to tap the energy trapped within could possibly go wrong.

[The Brain]

Geothermal energy is energy from radioactivity. So I win anyway.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Yes. I can't see where cracking the crust of the planet to tap the energy trapped within could possibly go wrong.

That movie makes the new Three Musketeers Movie look like a cinematic masterpiece.  At least the Milla Movie has airships and such.  The Time Machine just had crap. 

[Tonitrus]

This will surely result in the release of a balrog.

[Ideologue]

Geothermal energy is energy from radioactivity. So I win anyway.

My understanding is that radioactive decay contributes in only a minor way to the continued hotness of the inner Earth, and most is simply leftover heat generated during the Earth's formation.  Incorrect?

[The Brain]

Geothermal energy is energy from radioactivity. So I win anyway.

My understanding is that radioactive decay contributes in only a minor way to the continued hotness of the inner Earth, and most is simply leftover heat generated during the Earth's formation.  Incorrect?

My understanding is that it's the other way around. But quick googling paints a picture of significant uncertainties in this question, with numbers all over the place.

This recent shit claims it's 50/50: http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/46592

[Ideologue]

Neat.