Research Project Proposal
Geothermal Electricity Generation … Anywhere
Geothermal Electricity Generation … Anywhere
Over the last 10 years, I have become an
enthusiastic advocate for geothermal energy (http://thnktnk.net/drill.html). I’m a
member of the GEA, have visited working
geothermal plants (Calpine in California), attended conferences, lobbied DOE
and legislators and bored my friends and colleagues to death describing the
huge, strategic benefits of geothermal energy, especially for generation of
electricity.
The deep geo industry (including exploration, drilling,
provision of regional electricity) is very healthy. The industry itself
sponsors advanced technical & engineering innovation, but of course it goes
where proved resources are and where the work is. Many countries and locations
with obvious natural circumstances (Iceland, Northern California, Hawaii,
Nevada, Philippines, Kenya, Turkey, Peru, Chile) are exploiting it. Meanwhile,
advanced technology – perhaps to generate electricity and heat from within the
well itself, perhaps at depth, perhaps within advanced pipe structures
themselves – is needed to go deeper. “U-pipe, two-pipe or pipe-in-pipe” could
be developed to deliver heat and generator mass/velocity perhaps from air in,
air out in addition to water in, steam out and to provide advanced structural
integrity for extreme depths and heat.
The market based on this new technology might provide
storage and supply regional electricity ANYWHERE/ALL THE TIME instead of just
where it is convenient to the surface. Perhaps creatively drilling 10K deep x
2-3 meters could be made “normal”. (Tunnelistas everywhere know it can be
done.) Insert the proper pipe structure, attach/embed “windmill”, pump
electricity and/or heat in addition to steam – and replace a fossil fueled plant on-site. It has
been done with current technology.
As we know, a key economic and environmental benefit of
geothermal is that it has none of the fossil and nuclear fuel “externalities” –
mining, refining, storage, transport, site storage/delivery, and waste
disposal – with all their own costs and enormous environmental impacts. Unlike solar
and wind, geothermal supply is constant, 24/7/365, and produces more energy
from a smaller footprint than conventional or other renewables. Deep geothermal
can even be executed on the sites of existing fossil-fuel plants or military
sites. Infrastructure! Defense!
The Hoover Dam, TVA, …, and Project Apollo were impossible
till Federal funds were provided and research was applied. The spin-off rewards
(scientific innovation, technology, infrastructure, jobs) from those projects
continue to accumulate. Project Apollo reached to the heavens, and we continue
to harvest its benefits. How about harvesting even more with Project “Pluto”, right here
beneath our feet.
Indiana offers a wonderful experimental center for this research
in addition to the opportunity to directly replace fossil fuel generation. Purdue
engineering, Indiana geology, Ball State’s development experience and, of
course, the talent and business experience involved in Indiana manufacturing
and IT offer an enviable laboratory setting for such development. Let’s get
started.
Credit: Tiffany Farrant-Gonzalez; Sources:
“America’s Super Polluters,” By Jamie Smith Hopkins. Published online by Center
for Public Integrity, September 29, 2016 www.publicintegrity.org/2016/09/29/20248/america-s-super-polluters
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