Geothermal Energy

Harnessing the Energy of the Earth

What is Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal energy is “heat derived from the earth” –Geothermal Resources Council

Thermal energy is found in rocks and fluid in the earth’s crust

Thermal energy exists at various temperatures and depths around the globe

Geothermal Energy is:

• Available continuously

• Renewable• Clean • Local

American Geothermal Resources

• Western states have particularly strong geothermal sites

Northwest Infrastructure

How much power do we need?

• Northwest uses about 18,000 MWEnergy Information Administration, DOE, 2003 – Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana

• Exponential growth at 1.8%/year:– For 2025: 18,000*(1.018)^22 = 26,650 MW– For 2050: 18,000*(1.018)^47 = 41,630 MW

Geothermal energy can reduce these numbers

Geothermal Heat Pumps

• Reduce heating/cooling energy needs by up to 45%

• 30% of electricity is used for heating, cooling, and ventilation

• Heat pumps could reduce electricity needs by 13.5%:2025: 23,050 MW2050: 36,010 MW

Ductwork

Heat Exchanger

Warm liquid

Fan

Buried, closed-loop

Geothermal Savings: Energy and Dollars

• Pay less for heating and cooling

• State governments offer rebates and low-interest loans for installation (35% rebate in Oregon)

Does Geothermal Add Up?

Need:

-2025: 23,050 MW

-2050: 36,010 MW

Geothermal potential*:Oregon: 2200 MWIdaho: 540 MWMontana: 400 MWWashington: 300 MWNorthwest: 3,440 MW

*Sources: Oregon and Idaho: Testimony of U.S. Geologic SurveyWashington: Prof. Gordon Bloomquist; Montana: Dr. John Lund (OIT)

Does Geothermal Add Up?

• Iceland Deep Drilling Project:

“power output from supercritical wells could be increased by a factor of 10” in relation to a normal well.

34,400 MW

(96% of estimated 2050 demand!)

• Geothermal energy has been used since 1904 to generate electricity

• Many countries around the world are developing geothermal energy

Looking East

• Iceland uses geothermal energy to inexpensively provide 17% of its electricity and heat 87% of the nation’s homes

Closer to Home

• Geysers provide California with 750 megawatts of electricity.

• Satisfies 60% of the electricity demands from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border.

Oregon

Oregon has great potential to develop geothermal energy

Oregon is already using geothermal energy to heat buildings

“This 30-MW, air-cooled geothermal power plant on the Big Island of Hawaii (Puna) blends in well with the natural landscape.”

- U.S. Department of Energy

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