Using superhot rocks buried deep below the surface to generate steam for power generation could be far more efficient than similar technology already in use, a U.S.-based climate task force found.

A new report from the non-profit Clean Air Task Force finds that "superhot rock energy" could be on the cusp of a breakthrough that would see it put to commercial use as early as the 2030s.

"With more ambitious geothermal energy funding and public-private partnerships to spur innovation, it could be cost-competitive with most zero-carbon technologies, transforming global energy systems by providing clean, firm, cost-competitive renewable energy while requiring significantly less land than other sources," the report read.

Using this type of system would see water injected at depths sufficient enough to find rock temperatures greater than 750 degrees Fahrenheit. The steam that would come from that would be pumped back to the surface to drive a generator.

The type of geothermal energy already in use relies on finding temperatures close to the surface hot enough to generate steam. Finding rocks hot enough would require drilling as deep as 12 miles below the surface.

Research is underway into the technology. A test program in Iceland is churning out at least five times as much energy as conventional geothermal power and researchers at the Clean Air Task Force estimate the cost for a rock-based system is already competitive with natural gas.

Bruce Hill, a geoscientist with the Clean Air Task Force and the author of the report, told CNBC that a lot more funding is needed to bring this type of power system to the grid.

"Superhot rock geothermal isn't even in the decarbonization debate, but given a decade or two of aggressive investment it could be producing baseload power," he said.

Less than 2% of the world's total energy comes from geothermal resources, though scientists suspect it could be a near-inexhaustible source of energy.

"Always available zero-carbon energy isn't a far-off dream," said Terra Rogers, the program director for rock energy program at the task force.

Related Links
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

80-year-old mystery in static electricity finally solved
Ulsan, South Korea (SPX) Oct 07, 2022
Historically, contact electrification (CE) was humanity's first and only source of electricity up until ca. 18th century yet its true nature is still elusive. Today it is considered a core component of technologies such as laser printers, LCD production processes, electrostatic painting, separation of plastics for recycling, etc., as well as a major industrial hazard (damage to electronic systems, explosions in coal mines, fires in chemical plants, etc.) due to electrostatic discharges (ESD) accompanyin ... read more