All Entries in the "Research" Category
Energy system transformation centers in the west
In Nevada, researchers at Brookings Mountain West say that as the nation works out a clean energy future in order to create a more competitive “next economy,” it should look to the Intermountain West. Mark Muro, Senior Fellow and Policy Director, and Sarah Rahman, Senior Policy Analyst for the Metropolitan Policy Program said America needs [...]
Lawrence Livermore study finds more renewable use in U.S.
In California, researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, led by A.J. Simon, say that Americans are using less energy overall and making more use of renewable energy resources. Simon, an LLNL energy systems analyst who develops the energy flow charts using data provided by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration, said “Energy use tends [...]
Updating GT turbines adds reliability and efficiency
In a lengthy piece for Renewable Energy World, James Beverly, manager of Geothermal Steam Turbine Applications for TurboCare, runs through a number of solid examples where the modernization of geothermal steam turbines is a wise choice. He points out that geothermal fluids and moisture can damage system components, but that often performance declines, typically in [...]
Alaskan searches reaping results
In Alaska, exploration in and near the Aleutian islands is turning up lots of hot water. Separate drilling sites on Akutan and near Bristol Bay have tapped water at 360 and 250 degrees F, respectively. The Akutan resource is also quite shallow, and the state hopes it will power local communities as well as North [...]
Company studying GT potential in the Raton Basin
In Colorado, Pioneer Natural Resources is exploring the potential of harvesting geothermal power in the Raton Basin. The company says that research is currently in a preliminary phase. They are investigating just how hot the basin is and how deep they would have to drill to access adequate heat. The basin is a recognized hot [...]
Taking enhanced GT mainstream
In England, Philippe Dumas and Thomas Koelbel have assembled a solid case for the widespread use of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), which of course would open the way for production nearly everywhere. As they note in the Renewable Energy World article, geothermal energy use is neither new nor negligible and the first electricity production occurred [...]
Satellite data shows Rift Valley heat
The Earth-observing satellite Envisat belonging to the European Space Agency (ESA), headquartered in Paris, is providing insight as to the geothermal potential of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya as well as to the potential for dangerous volcanism. Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar interferograms (SAR Interferometry or InSAR) show small surface displacements that are not visible [...]
Research in Utah looks to use cooler resources
In Utah, the state has stepped up to support a bid for a $5 million DOE grant that would fund a study of the region’s low-temperature geothermal energy potential. PurpleEnergy of New Castle is looking for the grant and now has a letter of support from the Utah Generated Renewable Energy Electricity Network Authority Board. [...]
Market research says GT power capacity to exceed 18.4 GW worldwide by 2015
In California, Global Industry Analysts, Inc. released a new research report that projects the global installed capacity for geothermal power generation will cross 18.4 GW by 2015. The company expects new technologies being developed for extracting, as well as utilizing geothermal energy will drive growth in new markets. The share of geothermal energy in the [...]
DOE funding underground energy-storage pilot project
In South Carolina, two Clemson University environmental engineers are developing ways to store “waste” energy underground to cut heating and cooling costs and reduce carbon emissions. Ron Falta and Fred Molz have received a $991,000 DOE grant to create a Subsurface Thermal Energy Storage (STES) system that can be used as a model for energy [...]
