The Future of Geothermal Energy
Idaho National Laboratory “Geothermal Energy — Impact of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) on the United States in the 21st Century,” a report prepared by an MIT-led interdisciplinary panel, was released to the public January 22, 2007. The report suggests that 100,000 MWe of electrical generation capacity can be met through EGS within 50 years with a modest investment in R&D. Download the full 400-page report (14.1MB PDF)Â
I didn’t think the frozen north held much promise for geothermal energy until I read this report in the Edmonton Journal. http://tinyurl.com/35c488 It describes a plan to drill deep wells near northern Alberta oilsands projects to produce heat, now generated by burning massive amounts of natural gas, to separate oil from bitumen deposits. This will not only preserve a relatively clean energy source, but also cut CO2 emissions greatly.
This is in real contrast to Alberta’s new Premier “Steady Eddie” Stelmach’s assertion that greenhouse gas cuts will damage the economy. http://tinyurl.com/2cc3zp Ralph Klein’s era of bozo politics has been replaced by a more overt form of short-sighted puppet politics.
Our overheated Alberta economy now roars to stoke the appetites of these giant mines, while labour and housing prices soar. To get an idea of the scope of these projects, view the propaganda film at http://www.energy.gov.ab.ca/1662.asp
I hope we end up with more than a big hole in the ground and all our natural gas vapours filling the sky.