January 22nd, 2010
@ admin1
Eric asked:
Interested in why we don’t see geothermal plants built in the US… Is it because the energy extracted is too expensive, poor sites in the US, etc. Outside references to reliable reports, sources would be great, thanks!
Re: sources, I’d like references to sources because, not having a background in the area, I don’t know the best places to look. This questions isn’t for some sort of school project.
Tags: Background, Energy Source, United States
kmclean48
2 years ago
water well drilling and service
Geothermal energy is a effective source of energy, the problems are:
1. high intial cost.
2. high maintence costs (ie. cost a lot to fix)
3. extreamly hard to turn a profit (or cash flow) any large scale geothermal energy project.
The economics do work if you look at a medium or small (not micro) scale geothermal heat pump…Installing a geothermal heat pump would essentially “generate” the difference in electricity that would have been needed for air conditioning units. (reducing load is essentally the same thing as generating electricty).
bestonnet_00
2 years ago
Geothermal is reliable and can be cost effective if you get a good site.
The problem is that there aren’t all that many good sites for it so in most countries (probably including the US) it’ll be a minor part of the electricity mix.
ericbryce2
2 years ago
geothermal installer
There are few places in the world where the Earth’s crust is thin enough to make geothermal energy economical. Even in places where it is economical the steam that comes out of the ground can be highly corrosives and hard to handle.
Tristam H
2 years ago
truck rentals for moving
Geo-thermal plants can be built anywhere in the world with existing technology. Cost however prevents them from being practical. There are many sites in the USA that would make great locations for such a plant but the best would be Yellowstone Park with its super heated geysers…the other sites also have the distinction of being part of the national parks system which brings in the government…ugh
whynotaskdon
2 years ago
Only of value in a few areas of the Continent.
starreply
2 years ago
Technology really insufficient to economically tap it. probably end up spending more than you’d save in most places.
st
Mayhaps someday economies of scale may improve viability?
JoJoVincent
2 years ago
water well service
Everyone here is telling u it is cost prohibitive. the truth is that Corporations with great wealth and power are vested in Consumable power: Oil, Coal. And This is how they make their money. The mindset is Oil and coal, it is their religion and anything else is heresy. It is their to keep money going through them combined with the enormous amount ow wealth power and political influence they carry that will keep alternative power sources at bay.
wncan47
1 year ago
it would be very expensive and you could only heat with it.but with a idea you could produce electricity. there are only sites at yellowstone national park but im sure someone could bore to the center of the earth but that may be too expensive as well. also it could lead to damage to the mantle and may cause a shift and earthquakes would occur.