Since the 1970s, climate activists have been pushing for society to switch to using solar and wind energy to power the future. Geothermal energy has been slow to catch the same amount of attention, but it looks like that’s going to change very soon, especially in America. With new research revealing hundreds of possible geothermal wells across the country, Americans may be getting their power from this reliable and sustainable source very soon.
American cities sit on active geothermal sites, and the government is ready to dig for this valuable green energy resource
At its core, the Earth runs hot. The temperatures at the center can hit 5,200° Celsius, which is 9,392° Fahrenheit. This heat radiates outward toward the surface and is responsible for hot springs, volcanoes, and geysers. Some areas on the surface have more geothermal heat than other places, which makes them prime spots for digging geothermal wells. Some cities in America already take advantage of this form of energy and use it to heat homes, businesses, and public facilities.
Certain areas of America have more underground geothermal energy. The states with the highest level of geothermal activity are:
- Oregon.
- Idaho.
- Nevada.
- Utah.
- California.
These Western states sit on geothermal hot spots where the Earth’s heat is relatively close to the surface. Citites can capture this heat and use it to turn liquid into steam to turn turbines, or they can use the heat directly to help regulate indoor temperatures. Increasing geothermal wells in these areas will likely produce the most efficient power plants.
Investments in geothermal may soon outpace solar and wind as more research unveils underground hot spots
For many years, companies were heavily investing in wind and solar technology. These two energy sources are 100% sustainable. However, fluctuations in weather and climate mean that wind and solar are not always reliable. If the wind is not blowing as strongly one day, a turbine won’t produce as much energy as it did the day before. Similarly, solar energy can only be produced when the sun is shining down. Geothermal energy doesn’t present these drawbacks.
Energy researchers have been putting a lot of time and effort into finding new geothermal hot spots in America. Geothermal energy is constant, so there is no need for power companies to expect fluctuations or substitute coal or oil when the power drops. Because of this, geothermal could become the baseline source of energy for people in Western states, and wind and solar can provide excess energy that companies can sell or send to other places.
The geothermal industry faces challenges, but startups are inventing new ways to dig and manage wells
For many years, the geothermal industry was restricted by out-of-date technology. Companies have been using existing oil and natural gas wells to capture a moderate amount of geothermal energy. Other sites could only generate geothermal electricity if the heat source was close to the surface. New startups are conquering these challenges by developing deep drilling techniques to open up new geothermal sites.
Organizations in Utah, Idaho, and California are investing in innovative technology to make drilling and managing geothermal wells more effective and cheaper. Some geothermal power plants are also looking at adding solar panels or wind turbines on the surface to maximize the potential for renewable energy production. These hybrid power plants could be the way of the future.
It’s taken America a little longer than other countries to embrace the full potential of geothermal. Japan and Iceland have both put more money toward geothermal energy projects than America has, but that seems likely to change in the next decade. The Biden administration pushed for heavy investment in renewables, and future government leaders will probably do the same to develop better geothermal technology for the country.
