Geothermal Technology in the United States I.

The United States power needs could be met by geothermal technology because of the adaptability of the different kinds of geothermal power, the new technology used for measuring crust temperature, and industrial technology being used to supply power to the rest of the country. II. Non-volcanic convective systems and Enhanced Geothermal systems could both be used to provide energy to the United States. A. Non-volcanic convective systems get their heat from water that was heated deep inside the earth and then moved closer to the surface. 1. Non-volcanic convective systems are one of the few tested geothermal energy technologies, making them more efficient than most. The United States could easily implement them almost anywhere in the country because they dont need to be near a volcano, and are easily connected to the existing power grid. B. An Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) is a man-made reservoir that is created by blasting water into wells and creating very tight, or compressed, rock. Water can then be injected into one of these wells, which is then heated up by heat conduction from the rock and then thermal energy can be extracted (Sanyal). 1. EGS can also be implemented anywhere in the US and is completely renewable, making it a viable long-term option. The new technology could be considered too invasive to the environment because it requires changing the natural rock formations; however, it is also able to adapt to various environments. Also, EGS is the fastest renewing source of geothermal energy because the driller has complete control over the location of the well. The adaptability of EGS means that they

could be implemented across the country more easily than other systems. C. The necessary technology is still experimental and not as efficient as possible (Tester). 1. EGS energy still needs some changes to lower costs and make it easier to implement. While it would be feasible to use today, the drawbacks may exceed the benefits. EGS remains the best system that we currently have for future geothermal energy usage. III. Improved technology in measuring temperatures and viability of areas could find more potential sites than we currently have in the US. A. Scientists have found higher heat flow and crust temperatures in the Appalachian Mountains than previously recorded. 1. The higher temperature means more efficient geothermal energy from the area. Also, the revised estimate in the Appalachian Mountains most likely means that other areas have higher temperatures than previously expected. B. The heat in place is sufficient to support large scale development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems. 1. Non-volcanic convective systems could also be put in place here because of their maneuverability. However, the area would be most efficient with the EGS and is an opportunity to improve its efficiency. C. The potential energy here could be used to help power the heavily populated East Coast (Blackwell). 1. The East Coast is where a huge portion of the United States population is located, and, therefore, where much of its energy

demand is. Geothermal energy could provide a convenient energy source in close proximity to the busiest area in the country. IV. Private industries have played a large role in finding new geothermal energy technology, and those advances could be used in providing the rest of the country with energy. A. The CalEnergy Operating Corporation Mineral Recovery Project currently has 10 geothermal power units that use the waste from zinc extraction for power. These help produce some of the lowest cost zinc in the world. 1. Because of the incentive offered, private companies often develop some of the best technology available. The CalEnergy Project helped create more efficient geothermal energy in a unique environment. B. A creamery in Oregon used to use geothermal energy in its pasteurization process for about 50 years. They saved $1,000 a month by using geothermal energy compared to conventional (Lund). 1. This private technology made geothermal energy more cost efficient, a necessary component to nationwide implementation. Efficacy is one the biggest components to universal use of geothermal energy, and is also a large part of commercial use. V. The technology available to the United States could easily power the country through geothermal energy because of different existing systems, new temperature recoding technology, and technology available through industries.

Works Cited Blackwell, David, Zachary Frone, and Maria Richards. Elevated Temperatures in West Virginia: Potential for Geothermal Power. Energy From the Earth. Huffington Department of Sciences, 2009. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://smu.edu/smunews/geothermal/documents/westvirginia-temperatures.asp>. Lund, John. Examples of Industrial Uses of Geothermal Energy in the United States. Geo-Heat Center. N.p., Sept. 2003. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://geoheat.oit.edu/bulletin/bull24-3/ art1.pdf>. Sanyal, Subir. Future of Geothermal Energy. Stanford University. GeothermEx, Inc., 3 Feb. 2010. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/pdf/IGAstandard/SGW/2010/ sanyal.pdf>. Sissine, Fred. Renewable Energy: Background and Issues for the 110th Congress. Congressional Research Service, 6 Sept. 2007. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/ RL34162_20070906.pdf>. Tester, Jefferson, et al. The Future of Geothermal Energy. Geothermal Program. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://ecee.colorado.edu/~ecen4555/ SourceMaterial/future_of_geothermal_energy.pdf>.