Post by cjm on Dec 30, 2023 9:45:23 GMT
While geothermal may provide reliable energy, economic limits hinder its potential, expert says
Dr. Iraj Ershaghi, Omar B. Milligan professor and director of the Petroleum Engineering Program at University of Southern California, told Just The News that, for all of geothermal’s potential as an electricity generator, it has one major disadvantage: “That is pretty much location,” Ershaghi said. “Location, location, location. Just like real estate.”
With current technology, the only places where geothermal energy is economically feasible for electricity generations is where the heat is close to the surface and hot enough to produce steam. Geothermal heat sources at 8,000 feet or less below the surface are within the range of energy that can be produced economically, Ershaghi said.
“Most parts of the world, the crust, you really have to go something like 30,000 or 40,000 feet, which is not economical,” he said.
With current technology, the only places where geothermal energy is economically feasible for electricity generations is where the heat is close to the surface and hot enough to produce steam. Geothermal heat sources at 8,000 feet or less below the surface are within the range of energy that can be produced economically, Ershaghi said.
“Most parts of the world, the crust, you really have to go something like 30,000 or 40,000 feet, which is not economical,” he said.