July 23: Advances in deep drilling technology could make geothermal energy accessible across much of the world, potentially transforming it into a reliable round the clock source of clean electricity according to a report published by New Scientist.
Geothermal power currently relies on naturally occurring underground reservoirs of hot water and steam, limiting large scale use to countries such as Iceland, New Zealand, Kenya and Indonesia. Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal power provides continuous electricity generation regardless of weather conditions.
Researchers and energy companies are now developing technologies that could overcome these geographical constraints. Enhanced geothermal systems create artificial pathways in hot underground rock to circulate water, while ultra deep drilling aims to access Earth’s heat at much greater depths, even in regions without natural geothermal reservoirs.
Matt Houde co-founder of geothermal energy company Quaise Energy, said the long term goal is to make geothermal power available almost anywhere in the world. Advances in drilling technology over the past decade have significantly improved the feasibility of accessing Earth vast underground heat reserves.
Scientists note that the Earth contains enough internal heat to meet global energy demand many times over. However technical challenges, including drilling to extreme depths and reducing project costs, must be addressed before geothermal energy can be deployed widely.
If successful, next generation geothermal technologies could provide a stable low-carbon energy source that complements intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind, helping countries accelerate the transition to cleaner energy systems.