Articles tagged with Geothermal Energy
A Stanford geophysicist discusses how a geothermal energy project in Pohang, South Korea, caused a magnitude 5.5 earthquake that injured dozens and forced residents into emergency housing. The study highlights flaws in common methods for minimizing earthquake risk when harnessing Earth's heat for energy.
A new study by Chiara Cornelio finds that fluid viscosity directly impacts an earthquake's force. Laboratory tests and simulations show a clear correlation between fluid viscosity and earthquake intensity.
Researchers develop new mathematical model to optimize geothermal heat exchanger design, ensuring energy efficiency and economic viability. The model avoids unrealistic assumptions, providing accurate predictions for long-term thermal response behavior.
A team of researchers suggests harnessing geothermal energy to power desalination plants, reducing the need for traditional methods and minimizing carbon emissions. The proposed system could provide a sustainable source of drinking water while also generating electricity.
The new lab will help researchers characterize thermal properties of rock samples and model subsurface heterogeneity for more efficient geothermal systems. Professor Jasmin Raymond's team aims to develop environments conducive to shallow and deep geothermal systems, improving their design and competitiveness.
The University of Nevada, Reno is starting a drilling campaign to test its geothermal exploration strategies in the Great Basin region. The project aims to identify new, economically viable geothermal systems and reduce risks for commercial electricity production.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh analyzed naturally carbonated springs and found that oxygen's chemical fingerprint is influenced by CO2 gas, not heat from below. This discovery may help scientists narrow their search for sustainable geothermal energy sources.
Berkeley Lab is leading a $9 million project to remove technical barriers to EGS, a clean energy technology that could power 100 million American homes. The project aims to develop field experiments to understand and model rock fractures, essential for geothermal systems.
Portland State University will study Deep Direct-Use geothermal technology, a new method of harnessing geothermal energy for passive heating and cooling. The study aims to analyze Portland's underlying geology and potential storage capacity for this renewable energy source.
Scientists drilled three 2-km-deep holes to explore the geology of a scientific borehole in the Snake River Plain. They found evidence of heat and older hydrothermal interactions, but no geothermal energy production due to a cool water aquifer.
The workshop emphasized social acceptability, aboriginal community involvement, and improving energy demand forecasts for northern regions. Researchers from Iceland and Quebec explored geothermal energy potential, data limitations, and demonstration projects to validate assumptions regarding low-temperature heat pumps.
Researchers at UTA are testing a lab-scale model of a geothermal de-icing system that can be applied to bridge decks, offering an alternative to expensive sand or chemicals. The goal is to improve road safety during winter conditions while reducing costs and environmental impact.
The Quebec-Iceland agreement aims to stimulate the development of sustainable energy for communities and industrial projects in northern regions. The partnership combines expertise in geothermal electricity and hydroelectricity, leading to a focus on diversifying energy sources, energy recovery systems, and power grids.
A study found that geothermal energy production in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field increased the background seismicity rate, but not in other areas. The researchers used advanced models and earthquake data to analyze the connection between geothermal production and seismic activity.
A new study presents a method using GIS and National Geothermal Data System data to evaluate regions for geothermal energy exploration. The Denver-Julesberg Basin is identified as the highest capacity for large-scale, economically feasible geothermal power production.
Professor Raymond received the Canadian Geotechnical Society's 2016 Colloquium Lecture honour for his proposed talk on precise measurement of thermal properties in geological materials. He is a scientific leader in geothermal energy, advancing knowledge of analysis and energy modelling for geothermal applications.
A new themed issue explores the anatomy of rifting, revealing diverse extensional processes, including plate thinning, magma intrusion, and volcanism. The study documents active processes at divergent plate boundaries and transforms, synthesizing key research topics on plate extension.
A University of Utah team has been awarded a $400,000 grant to study new methods for developing geothermal energy in areas where it's not currently feasible. The goal is to discover ways to create underground flow that will allow communities to construct sustainable and clean geothermal systems.
A new, non-toxic liquid can create tiny cracks in deep underground rocks to improve power production, reducing water use by half. This environmentally friendly polymer-based fluid also reduces costs and could make unconventional oil and gas recovery more sustainable.
A team of researchers from The University of Texas at Arlington is exploring ways to use geothermal energy to make bridges and overpasses safer during winter weather. By pumping groundwater through a circulation pipe, they can warm the bridge deck to melt ice and snow, reducing treacherous road conditions.
The US Dept. of Energy will discuss its plan to accelerate geothermal energy development, which could increase global resources by harnessing hydraulic fracturing techniques. Researchers present results on controlling injection-triggered seismicity and improving injectivity rates in enhanced geothermal systems.
The Precourt Institute and KQED have developed a two-part e-book series on energy, exploring its basics and applications. The interactive Energy iBooks Textbooks aim to promote energy literacy among students aged 8-13.
Researchers have developed a new geothermal power plant design that utilizes unwanted carbon dioxide to generate electricity. The innovative approach is at least twice as efficient as conventional geothermal methods and can store energy for days or months, making it available when needed on the grid.
Researchers highlight the need for fundamental research in geothermal and shale gas development to overcome challenges and maximize energy recovery. Enhanced geothermal systems and shale gas extraction face roadblocks, including induced seismicity and environmental impact.
Geoscientists highlight the importance of fundamental research in unlocking the full potential of emerging energy sources, including geothermal and shale gas. The development of these resources is hindered by geological and environmental challenges that must be addressed through basic scientific inquiry.
A study by McGill University researchers calculates that each kilometer of a deep underground mine could produce 150 kW of heat, enough to warm 5-10 Canadian households. The team develops a general model for predicting geothermal energy potential in other mines.
SMU's David Blackwell presented on nationwide geothermal energy opportunities, highlighting unconventional techniques as a game changer for US energy policy. The presentation revealed vast geothermal resources across the US, accessible via current technology, and demonstrated synergy with the oil and gas industry.
Scientists used Landsat satellite data to study Yellowstone's geothermal activity and identify changes in the park's unique landscape. The study found that satellite data can detect big changes in geothermal areas, but not necessarily what is happening or exactly where.
Research from Southern Methodist University's Geothermal Laboratory reveals vast geothermal resources across the US capable of producing over 3 million megawatts of green power, outpacing coal plants. The study refines locations for resource exploration using advanced mapping and geological analysis.
A $1 million University of Nevada, Reno project is providing a catalogue of favorable structural elements and models for geothermal systems to enhance exploration methodologies and reduce the risk of drilling nonproductive wells. The research aims to identify potential geothermal sites in the Great Basin with 3-D imaging.
A team of scientists drilling near an Icelandic volcano hit magma in 2009, resulting in a potentially game-changing discovery for geothermal energy. The team estimated that the steam generated from the magma could power up to 25,000 homes.
Researchers studying magma flows in Iceland's Krafla volcano have found a rare opportunity to examine supercritical water and its potential as an energy source. The team discovered rhyolite magma, formed by partial melting of basaltic rock, which can generate significant electricity if harnessed.
Researchers at SMU's Geothermal Laboratory estimate that West Virginia's geothermal generation potential has increased to 18,890 megawatts, a 75% increase over previous estimates. This discovery could provide a new source of green energy in coal country.
A new high-temperature heat pump technology has been developed to tap into geothermal energy sources, providing a renewable and inexhaustible energy supply. The system uses waste water from geothermal wells, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions in European towns.
The National Geothermal Institute will provide training and education in geothermal energy production through a series of short courses and curriculum developed by top geothermal schools. The institute is expected to augment the University of Nevada's Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy with research and trained graduates.
A study published in Geology has used InSAR to detect signs of activity in four volcanoes in Kenya's Rift Valley, showing episodic pulses of magma arriving at the crust. The findings highlight the geothermal potential of the region and pose a challenge for human hazard risk management.
The SMU Geothermal Lab has been awarded a $5.25 million grant by the US Department of Energy to provide data for the National Geothermal Database. The project aims to expand geothermal production in the US, providing critical information on Enhanced Geothermal Systems and oil & gas resources.
Researchers at the University of Utah are conducting a $10.2 million study in Idaho to develop new techniques for increasing geothermal energy production. By using oil and gas industry methods to create pathways in hot rock, they aim to unlock the country's vast geothermal potential.
Researchers have developed a method to estimate the amount of heat that can be produced by abandoned mine tunnels, providing an alternative source of renewable energy. The geothermal energy from mines can be used for heating, hot water, and even industrial processes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering CO2 emissions.
Scientists at PNNL have developed a new method for capturing more heat from low-temperature geothermal resources, enabling virtually pollution-free electrical energy generation. The approach uses biphasic fluid and nanostructured metal-organic heat carriers to boost power generation capacity.
Stanford researcher Mark Z. Jacobson finds wind power to be the most promising clean energy source, offering a 99% reduction in carbon emissions and water consumption. In contrast, biofuels, nuclear power, and coal are significantly polluting, causing thousands of deaths per year.
Geothermics shifts under Elsevier's leadership to promote geothermal resources as a sustainable energy source. The journal will continue to publish leading peer-reviewed research and critical technical reference studies in geothermal science and technology.
Research by Arizona State University scientists reveals that helium-3/helium-4 ratios can be used to identify areas with high geothermal resource potential. Analyzing samples from over 60 hot springs and shallow wells in the Basin and Range province, they discovered a correlation between helium ratios and deformation rates.
Researchers have identified potential geothermal energy resources in the northern Basin and Range province, characterized by high thermal gradients and deep permeable pathways. The discovery uses helium isotope ratios to map zones of higher than average permeability, offering a new tool for identifying geothermal energy resources.
Researchers from UC Davis and international partners aim to unlock geothermal energy potential in Iceland and the US. By studying high-pressure conditions and heat transfer processes, they hope to develop more efficient methods for extracting heat from rocks.
Researchers created a model to better understand silica scaling in geothermal wells, providing accurate indicators of its impact. The study aims to control silica scaling and reduce maintenance costs for geothermal power plants, potentially increasing the adoption of this clean energy source.
A comprehensive MIT-led study assesses the feasibility of enhanced geothermal systems to increase US geothermal resource recovery. The report finds that heat mining can be economical in the short term and has a lower environmental impact compared to fossil fuels.
The PPS coating system, developed by Brookhaven Lab chemist Toshifumi Sugama, shows dramatic improvements in bonding durability, resistance to wear and abrasion, and service lifetime compared to competitive coatings. The coating's self-healing properties make it suitable for use in geothermal power plants and other harsh environments.
The Brookhaven/Caithness technology recovers silica from low-salinity geothermal brine, producing 99.9% pure silica with lower maintenance costs. This innovation could lead to new industries and employment opportunities in regions rich in geothermal resources.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are developing high-temperature electronics to improve geothermal energy production. This could reduce costs by eliminating the need for protective Dewar flasks, which currently add significant expense to drilling operations.