News
Jan 16, 2008The Economist: “If geothermal energy is to take off, it will have to work outside of volcanic areas”
This article from The Economist looks into geothermal energy in places not in volcanic areas. Specifically, the article focuses on overcoming technical challenges associated with harnessing geothermal energy in Gross Schönebeck, Germany, an area that is geologically passive.
IN THE world of environmental activism, there is a good rule of thumb. If an energy source comes out of the ground it is probably bad (think coal, oil, natural gas and, in the view of many, uranium). If it does not, then it is probably good (think wind, waves, solar and biofuels). But there is an exception. Even the most hair-shirted environmentalist finds it hard to argue against geothermal energy. When what comes out of the ground is merely hot water or steam there is, as it were, little to get steamed up about.
The problem is that traditional geothermal power relies on volcanism. Fine if you live in Iceland or New Zealand. Not so good in a geologically passive place such as Germany. Which is why Wulf Brandt, of the National Research Centre of Geosciences in Potsdam, has dug a deep hole in the ground at Gross Schönebeck, near Berlin.
To read the rest of the article:
If geothermal energy is to take off, it will have to work outside volcanic areas
